Allstate - You're in good hands

12/07/2006 NORTHBROOK, Ill. -

Today, domestic violence survivors from across the country will gather in Southern California to kick-off of a three-day conference focusing on economic independence and cultivating their personal leadership skills to help them carry their survivor message to other victims in need. The Allstate Foundation and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund are hosting this first-of-its-kind national leadership forum as part of their ongoing effort to provide programs that help victims and survivors of domestic violence achieve long-term economic empowerment.

"The national leadership retreat is a unique opportunity for domestic violence survivors to come together to share their experiences, learn from each other and gain the skills they need to be advocates for themselves and others in the future," said Angela Smith Cobb, Program Manager with The Allstate Foundation. "By listening to survivors' voices and providing techniques to help them address their personal challenges and obtain long-term physical, emotional and economic stability, we are hoping to promote the type of social change that will end violence against women."

Domestic violence knows no boundaries. Women ranging from a policewoman to an executive to a homemaker will participate in the retreat and share their stories of survival. Attendees will learn from financial, advocacy and personal growth experts who will lead retreat sessions focusing on:

• Personal leadership and goal setting
• The impact of economic abuse and strategies for dealing with financial challenges stemming from abuse
• Advocacy techniques for personal and professional empowerment

The survivors will also share personal stories, learn public speaking tips and receive media training as they prepare to form a Survivor Speaker's Bureau in 2007. Through the Speaker's Bureau, survivors will have the opportunity to be advocates on a local and national level, use their experiences to empower others and raise awareness of domestic violence.

"It is crucial that domestic violence survivors have a voice on the national level," said Sue Else, President of the NNEDV Fund. "The Survivor Leadership Retreat provides survivors with the resources and tools necessary to raise broad public awareness about the impact of domestic violence."

The national leadership retreat is just one component of The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program, which has provided more than $2 million in grants to national and state domestic violence organizations since 2005. In alliance with the NNEDV Fund and its affiliated state coalitions, The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program provides knowledge and skills - particularly those related to financial security and economic empowerment - to support survivors of domestic violence. Domestic violence survivors often face significant financial obstacles stemming from their abuse. Many survivors have been removed from the workforce for years; prohibited from pursuing higher education and job development; or must repair credit damaged by their abuser. Through initiatives like the Education and Job Training Assistance Fund, a new financial literacy curriculum that is currently in development and will launch in early 2007 and the Survivor's Speaker's Bureau that will also launch in 2007, The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program is filling a gap in domestic violence funding and resource provision.

About The Allstate Foundation
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. Allstate and The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote "safe and vital communities"; "tolerance, inclusion, and diversity"; and "economic empowerment." The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream. For additional information, visit www.allstate.com/foundation.

About the National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund is a 501©(3) tax-exempt social change organization representing state domestic violence coalitions. The NNEDV Fund is dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. The NNEDV Fund accomplishes these goals through capacity building for coalitions, public education, training, and technical assistance to maintain and develop the professional expertise of advocates. The NNEDV Fund strives to strengthen advocates as organizers and activists in the tradition of social change movements. For more information about the NNEDV Fund, visit www.nnedv.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jennifer Duda, The Allstate Foundation, (847) 402-7805
Cheryl O'Donnell, NNEDV Fund, (202) 543-5566 e-mail this page