The Survivors for Economic Empowerment (SEE) program at Between Friends uses a peer-to-peer model to build relationships, foster trust, and ultimately build skills that lead to long-term economic freedom for survivors of domestic violence. We are proud to share the following testimony from one of the program’s participants.
“I started attending Between Friends because I encountered psychological and emotional challenges due to the domestic violence that I experienced from the father of my children. Thanks to Between Friends, today I am a different and empowered woman.”
“Financial abuse was a tactic used by my partner to control me. He subjugated me by hiding my money, limiting my access to resources, and blocking family financial decisions. Financial abuse was normal in my environment, which was the main reason I never detected it. In our culture we were educated to see this as a normal behavior.”
“Thanks to the SEE project, I learned how to make my own decisions independently, and I understood the concept of empowerment. I began to increase my confidence level when I was able to manage my finances and plan my financial security. I learned and empowered my family, my community, and myself with knowledge and resources.”
“I want to thank Maria C and Between Friends for giving me the opportunity to be part of the SEE project. I want to thank Mina and Ana from Wintrust Bank for all their financial education and their advice about how to open accounts. Thanks to Elia from Northside Community Development Corporation, I understand my credit score.”
“In addition, I learned about resources such as housing, health, employment, education and food pantries. I also created my retirement plan and an inventory of personal assets in my country of origin. Currently, I am developing an asset protection strategy.”
“Now, I am the financial leader of my own life. I can help my community identify financial abuse and empower them to develop a security plan to improve their quality of life.”
The SEE program is a truly survivor-led endeavor in which participants have supported each other, worked together to solve their challenges, and strengthened the connections they have with each other and with community institutions. The work they have done is truly inspirational!