MONEY SCHOOL RETURNS

PITTSFIELD, Massachusetts: Elizabeth Freeman Center’s financial independence series for people impacted by domestic or sexual violence will offer its third year of classes starting mid-March. 

“Money School” is a five week series for survivors that covers topics like rebuilding credit, accessing benefits, building supports, getting by now, and action planning.  It was created through a partnership between Elizabeth Freeman Center and the American Institute for Economic Research. 

A $125 stipend will be offered, as well as free dinner, childcare, one-on-one financial coaches from local banks, networking with other resource providers in the community, and ongoing supports. 

Many times survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are left struggling financially.

“Money School is not your typical financial education program,” said Becca Bradburd, Director of Operations at Elizabeth Freeman Center.  “It recognizes that for most people, especially those who are living through or recovering from trauma, it can seem impossible to get ahead.  In Money School, we provide economic advocacy, social capital, financial know-how, and ongoing support to get people where they want to be financially – whether that’s being able to go to school or have an emergency fund or rebuild credit or something else entirely.”

The next series of five workshops will run on Thursday evenings, March 2 – March 30, in Great Barrington. Following that, there will be a series for Spanish speakers on Thursday evenings, April 27 – May 18, in Pittsfield.

To register for any of the series, contact Donna at Elizabeth Freeman Center, 413.499.2425 x613 or donnal@elizabethfreemancenter.org.

Money School is made possible by strong community support, including grants from Guardian Life Insurance Company, TD Charitable Foundation, Berkshire Bank Foundation, and MountainOne, with additional in-kind support from the bankers at Greylock Federal Credit Union, TD Bank, Berkshire Bank, NBT Bank, and Lee Bank. 

The program is gaining regional attention as an innovative approach to building financial security and independence. It was featured in a June Economic Justice Summit in Northampton hosted by the Department of Public Health, will  have a panel at the upcoming Victim Rights Conference hosted by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, and is scheduled to launch a sister program in Springfield this summer.

Elizabeth Freeman Center is the domestic and sexual violence response center for Berkshire County.  Each year, it provides leadership and services to over 3,000 survivors in Berkshire County and offers violence prevention education to almost 1,000 youth in area schools. To learn more, visit http://www.elizabethfreemancenter.org/.

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