Domestic Violence

When Good Hands^® People Educate

More than a decade ago, the father of her daughter hit Kalyn Risker so hard she needed facial reconstructive surgery and almost lost her eye. She's been fighting back ever since in the best way she knows how, by helping herself and others like her reach goals they once thought impossible.

Home from the hospital and away from her abuser, Kalyn re-enrolled in college and took a job that led to a management position in human resources. That's when she started counseling women with problems at work-frequent days off, poor productivity-caused by situations similar to her own. When she asked why they didn't leave their abusers, victims often said, "Because my children and I will be out on the street." So one night she took a piece of paper and sketched out ideas for a new organization-mission, goals, business plan, even the name. Within a year, SAFE (Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment) was helping hundreds of abuse survivors in Kalyn's hometown of Detroit learn how to make and manage money on their own. One-on-one and in small groups, SAFE teaches resume writing and interviewing techniques, networking, financial literacy and more.

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Survivor Stories

Allstate: Jenissee's Story
Domestic violence impacts the lives of many women and their families. This is one story of a real life survivor, Jenissee.

Allstate has been there to help, on several levels. "When we first got involved with domestic abuse, we wanted to focus on what we know best," says The Allstate Foundation's Jennifer Kuhn. "And since Allstate helps millions of people manage their finances, we took the lead in addressing the economic concerns survivors face."

One way is through direct grants to abuse survivors. These grants pay for things like child care and public transportation to class or training programs. When she went back to school, Allstate helped pay for Kalyn Risker's books. The Foundation also makes grants to state organizations like the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic Violence, where Kalyn has served as Economic Empowerment Coach. Allstate created a Financial Empowerment Curriculum specifically designed for abuse survivors, which SAFE and many other groups use in their counseling programs.

The Foundation also supports smaller, innovative projects like micro loan programs for survivors. All told, Allstate has invested more than $13 million over the past five years and helped thousands across the country. And it's raised public awareness through publicity efforts that generate hundreds of articles and broadcast interviews. "Nearly three out of four Americans personally know someone who's been abused," says Jennifer Kuhn. "It's time to bring this issue into the open, and deal with it honestly and effectively."

Kalyn Risker agrees. "Survivors don't need hype. They need help and a little hope. We try to give them some of both."