As part of its training & technical assistance services, Alianza is offering the following trainings:

All trainings are offered free of charge. Scholarships for travel and lodging will be offered for trainings 2 and 3. These trainings are funded by grants from the Department of Justice/Office on Violence Against Women.

For details of the trainings.
See what people are saying about our trainings.

¡Si Podemos/Yes We Can—Beyond Domestic Violence: Achieving Financial Independence
La Independencia Financiera para Sobrevivientes Latinas de Violencia Doméstica

More than 60 participants from various states and Puerto Rico participated in a two-day training entitled Financial Independence for Latina Survivors of Domestic Violence. During the first day of the training, participants learned the basics of Financial Literacy including: household budgeting, how banks and other financial institutions work, opening and balancing a check book, credit basics, personal and business loans, renting or buying a place, and identify theft.

Day two of the training actively engaged the participants in exploring the world of entrepreneurship (How to Start a Business). Participants learned how to do marketing research to determine if there a market for a specific product or service. They reviewed business ownership essentials, including start-up requirements and operations—how to select a business structure, how much money is needed to open the business, what licenses or permits are required, how to balance family and business, how to keep good records, how to protect business assets. Next, the participants learned how to create a marketing plan (selecting marketing strategies and venues). The final session focused on writing a business plan, including developing a long-range vision, setting realistic goals, writing a mission statement, selecting a location, product/service description, hours of operation, management, general operations, and projecting costs.

After learning all of the theory—the how to's and the do's and don'ts, and examining selected case studies, participants got to the fun part. Working in small groups, they had to develop sample budgets, calculate personal living expenses, and create sample businesses. Some of the creative businesses they came up with were: Mobile Mat—Bubbles on the Go; La Fondita--Un Pedacito de Mexico; Eco-Watch--Solar Powered Watches; Gems for Fems--Jewelry Just for You; Beauty on the Go—When Glamour Comes to You.

In addition to imparting information about the technical aspects about financial literacy and entrepreneurship, the training also provided information about the specific needs and circumstances of Latina survivors and how financial knowledge can be a key step in the survival of victims and their children. The trainers also discussed effective methods for facilitating workshops for survivors using Alianza's training curriculum--¡Si Podemos/Yes We Can—Beyond Domestic Violence: Achieving Financial Independence.

The training was conducted by Ivonne Ortiz, Alianza's Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator and JoAnn Garay, Program Coordinator and Trainer (WESST). Participants also heard from special guest, Dawn Maestas, a DV Survivor and now successful business owner.

(The training was supported by Department of Justice/Office on Violence Against Women Grant No. 2010-ET-S6-K017).

See slide show of training photos.

As part of its Financial Independence for Latino Survivors of Domestic Violence activities in New York City, Alianza held a video presentation and reception for training participants and other friends and supporters of Alianza. In addition to viewing the video: Beyond Domestic Violence: Achieving Financial Independence/Mas Alla de la Violencia Doméstica: Logrando la Independencia Financiera, attendees heard from two guest speakers: Commissioner Yolanda Jimenez, from the NYC Mayor's Office on Domestic Violence and Dawn Maestas, DV Survivor and now successful business woman. Dawn is one of the survivors featured in the video.

The 28-minute documentary, produced by Alianza and Albuquerque-based Arnold Trujillo Production, features several domestic violence survivors who broke away from violent and abusive relationships and are now successful business owners, living financially independent lives that are free of violence. Their stories of struggle, hope and the will to survive inspire not only victims of domestic violence, but others who want to create a better life for themselves. The video, accompanies a train-the-trainer curriculum produced as part of Alianza's Financial Independence for Survivors of Domestic Violence Training Project.

The video presentation, reception, and two-day training were held at the The Conference Center located at 130 East 59th Street.

To watch the video follow this link.

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.

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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.