Financial Independence for Latina Survivors
of Domestic Violence

A free training for OVW grantees and other providers of domestic violence services for Latina survivors of Domestic Violence, including immigrant women.

There is broad recognition within the domestic violence movement that the lack of financial independence is a major barrier that contributes to keeping many victims/survivors in violent and abusive relationships. Acquiring financial knowledge can be a key step for the survival of many victims and their children.

Through this training, participants will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about the specific needs and circumstances of Latina victims as concerns financial education and cultural considerations
•  Be trained in the basics of financial literacy and the development of small businesses
•  Receive copies of our training curriculum and training video: ¡Si Podemos/Yes We Can!— Beyond Domestic Violence: Achieving Financial Independence. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with WESST, a nonprofit agency dedicated to small business development and financial training, based in Albuquerque, NM
• Learn effective methods for facilitating workshops using our training curriculum (¡Si Podemos/Yes We Can)

Alianza will be conducting one more Financial Independence for DV Survivors, probably in early fall. Once we get the location approved by OVW, we will post the location & dates, and open up the registration.

(See Photo Gallery)

The 28-minute video, produced by Alianza and Arnold Trujillo (A Trujillo Production), features several survivors who were able to break away from violent and abusive relationships and are now living financially independent lives that are free of violence. The women have wonderful lessons and knowledge that will inspire not only victims of domestic violence, but also other women who want to make a better life. They not only tell us about the enormous challenges they faced and had to overcome, but they talk about the strength, support, and opportunities that helped them on their journeys to rebuild their lives and become successful business owners.

The video, accompanies a train-the-trainer curriculum produced as part of Alianza's Financial Independence for Survivors of Domestic Violence Training Project.

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With the Latino population continuing to increase at record rates and to settle in new regions of the country, the needs, barriers and challenges related to domestic violence continue to grow and require focused attention. Alianza, with its history of developing resources and providing training, technical assistance, and leadership to OVW grantees, DV providers and community-based organizations (CBOs) across the country, is in an ideal position to address these needs and concerns.

As part of its training & technical assistance services, Alianza organizes national conferences and trainings that help service providers and advocates who work with Latinas/os enhance their knowledge and skills. At this time Alianza is offering the following trainings:

1. La Independencia Financiera para Sobrevivientes Latinas de Violencia Domestica/Financial Independence for Survivors of Domestic Violence;
2. Working with Latino Men and Boys to Eradicate Domestic Violence; and
3. On the Road to Social Transformation: A Cultural Proficiency Training for Domestic Violence Service Providers and Advocates.

All trainings are offered free of charge and are funded by the Department of Justice/Office on Violence Against Women.

For details of the trainings.

See what people are saying about our trainings.

Read more...

Staff of Alianza and National Compadres Network are joined for a group photo by trainees who came to Albuquerque from various parts of the country.

Dr. Ricardo Carrillo spoke about the various types of trauma that boys, women and men endure as a result of experiencing violence.

Ivonne Ortiz, Training and TA Coordinator for Alianza, chats with one of the trainees from Chicago who works with young men coming out of prison.

Deanda Montoya, Alianza’s Administrative Assistant/Office Manager (left) worked on the meeting logistics, on collecting donations and on registrations. She is joined at the registration table by Monica Chavez Montoya, Alianza’s Fiscal Officer.

Adelita M. Medina, Alianza’s Executive Director, dedicated the training to Luis Manuel Medina, a long-time domestic violence, sexual assault, and children’s rights advocate, who passed away on July 27, 2011. She spoke about the importance of nurturing our sons the same way we nurture our daughters.

Trainees listened intently throughout the day and a half training.

Staff of Alianza and National Compadres Network are joined for a group photo by trainees who came to Albuquerque from various parts of the country.

Dr. Ricardo Carrillo spoke about the various types of trauma that boys, women and men endure as a result of experiencing violence.

Ivonne Ortiz, Training and TA Coordinator for Alianza, chats with one of the trainees from Chicago who works with young men coming out of prison.

Deanda Montoya, Alianza’s Administrative Assistant/Office Manager (left) worked on the meeting logistics, on collecting donations and on registrations. She is joined at the registration table by Monica Chavez Montoya, Alianza’s Fiscal Officer.

Adelita M. Medina, Alianza’s Executive Director, dedicated the training to Luis Manuel Medina, a long-time domestic violence, sexual assault, and children’s rights advocate, who passed away on July 27, 2011. She spoke about the importance of nurturing our sons the same way we nurture our daughters.

Trainees listened intently throughout the day and a half training.

Alianza's Working with Men and Boys to End Domestic Violence national training, held October 17 and 18 in Albuquerque, NM, was definitely not your "typical" domestic violence training. "This has honestly been the best training I have ever attended," shared one trainee. "It has provided me with the opportunity to bring my beliefs and culture into my everyday work." Another stated: "Awesome training. Speakers are very knowledgeable and engaging. Interaction and methods of training are understandable, heart-felt, and relative to the culture and population of our area."

The training was a profoundly moving and, at times, a gut-wrenching experience for both trainers and trainees, who traveled from various parts of the country. The powerful dramatizations by Jerry Tello, of personal experiences with his familia- abuelita, dad, mom, children, and grandchildren-kept participants' attention riveted throughout both days.

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Marchers crossing from Manhattan into the Bronx

Marchers nearing Yankee Stadium, top left

Marchers on their way to Court House in the Bronx

Marchers had plenty of security from NY OPS

Marchers gathered in front of Court House

Speaker: Commissioner Yolanda Jimenez, Mayor’s Office To Combat Domestic Violence

Dawn Maestas, DV Survivor & Alianza Consultant, Holding Love & Honor sign.

Teens Advocate for an End to Teen Abuse

Jessica Ibe’s mother addresses marchers.

Adelita Medina, Alianza’s Executive Director

Members of Fathering Initiative of Forestdale

Representative of NY OPS (NY Order of Protection Services) speaks at closing ceremony

Marchers crossing from Manhattan into the Bronx

Marchers nearing Yankee Stadium, top left

Marchers on their way to Court House in the Bronx

Marchers had plenty of security from NY OPS

Marchers gathered in front of Court House

Speaker: Commissioner Yolanda Jimenez, Mayor’s Office To Combat Domestic Violence

Dawn Maestas, DV Survivor & Alianza Consultant, Holding Love & Honor sign.

Teens Advocate for an End to Teen Abuse

Jessica Ibe’s mother addresses marchers.

Adelita Medina, Alianza’s Executive Director

Members of Fathering Initiative of Forestdale

Representative of NY OPS (NY Order of Protection Services) speaks at closing ceremony

More than 100 women, men, and youth marched through the streets of Washington Heights, the South Bronx, Harlem and East Harlem, on September 26, 2012, to remember Gladys Ricart, Jessica Ibe, her 2 young daughters, and numerous other women and children who have been killed in domestic violence incidents. The march aims to raise awareness about the devastating effects of domestic violence on Latinas/os and other families and communities. As the many posters carried by the marchers show, the march also serves to let communities know that services and resources are available to help them. Help is also available for men who want to change their violent behavior.

Many of the women in the march wore wedding gowns (in memory of Gladys Ricart who was killed on her wedding day in September 1999) and the men dressed in black as a symbol of mourning. The marchers included members of the Ricart and Ibe families, survivors, advocates, elected officials, union organizers, and many supporters from the community. This year, because school was out, many children joined the march.

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Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, and it cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography. It takes place in the home, on the streets, in schools, the workplace, in farm fields, refugee camps, during conflicts and crises and has many manifestations - from the most universally prevalent forms of domestic and sexual violence, to abuse during pregnancy, so-called honor killings and other types of femicide. Countries have made some progress in addressing violence against women and girls. According to the UN Secretary-General's 2006 In-Depth Study on All Forms of Violence against Women, 89 countries had some legislation on domestic violence, and a growing number of countries had instituted national plans of action.

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While significant progress has been made, in recent decades, in raising awareness about the devastating effects of domestic violence, and many lives have been protected and saved, domestic violence continues at epidemic proportions. It continues to tear families apart regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, or economic background, leaving in its path physically, emotionally, and spiritually injured women, men, and children.

According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control in February 2008 (Adverse Health Conditions and Health Risk Behaviors Associated with Intimate Partner Violence, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) one in four women is abused by a current or former spouse, partner or boyfriend at some point in her life. Another study by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics (Intimate Partner Violence in the United States) says that on average more than three women a day, in the United States, are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.

Read more...

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!

“Sabores of My Cocina: A Collection of 275 Latino-Inspired Recipes” submitted from all over the country by DV and child abuse advocates, state domestic violence coalitions, celebrities, and others.

Always keep our cookbooks in mind as a gift for those special people in your life—friends, family, colleagues—for a birthday, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s day, Father’s Day, etc. What better gift than one that will be enjoyed for a long time. A cookbook full of savory main dishes, appetizers, soups, salads, breads, desserts and beverages from distinct regions of the Latino world.

Cookbook - $7.50 each
Posters - $2.00 each

A special thank you to the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, for making our online Resource Center possible through Grant numbers 2009-TA-AX-K067, 2010-ET-S6-K017 and most recently 2011-TA-AX-K091. Opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed herein are those of the organizers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

Alianza would also like to thank the following businesses and individuals who have made donations or otherwise provided support:

• Albuquerque Donors: Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce; Cecilia’s Café, Garcia's Kitchen; Budget Bridal shop; I Do I Do Bridal; Brides By Demetrios; Bridal Elegance By Darlene; Precious Moments Bridal; Bessie's Gift Shop & Craft supplies; Walmart; Lozoya Studios (Fine Photography/fotografía fina); Golden Crown Panaderia; Sadie's; Wolfe's Bagels; Gloria's NM Burritos & More; Lazarus Tattoo Removal; Luebben, Johnson and Barnhouse, LLP- Attorneys at Law
• Florida Donors: Bride's of America; Yummy cakes & More
• Fernando Mederos and Jan Roll- Mederos
• Marisa Rivera

A big thank you also to individuals who have volunteered their time to Alianza, including Monica Chavez-Montoya, Yvonne Riggs, Antonio Cordova and Ryan Salazar. Their help is much appreciated.