Economic Empowerment Services

Intimate partner violence costs a cisgender female survivor an average of $104,000 across her lifetime.

For a survivor who has escaped gender violence and has not had access to the higher education, technology, or networks necessary to secure a living-wage job, the costs of abuse and life in New York City make longterm healing and freedom nearly impossible.

We believe that economic empowerment, self-sufficiency, and the opportunity to do meaningful work are critical to long-term stability and safety for survivors of gender violence.

The Economic Empowerment Program

Launched in 2011, the Economic Empowerment Program (EEP) is a pioneering living-wage career-readiness and technology training that provides gender violence survivors with the skills, resources, and networks necessary to secure career-track jobs at leading companies and break the cycle of poverty, homelessness, and abuse.

Four Phases

Phase 1: Career Readiness

10 sessions, 20 hours

Program participants learn about career development and planning, career ladders, the psychology of hiring, résumé and cover letter writing, interview skills, and are introduced to Microsoft Word and Excel. Phase 1 training is offered in English and Spanish.

Phase 2: Office Operations

13 weeks, 285-315 hours

Program participants receive advanced information technology, literacy development, and business communications training. Participants have the opportunity to attain Microsoft Office Specialist certifications in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Phase 3: Occupational Training

6 weeks, 30 hours

Following the completion of Phases 1 and 2, program participants may select one of ten different occupational training tracks, including medical billing and coding, pharmacy technician, bookkeeping and accounting, green construction/GPRO, graphic design, A+/CompTIA, and HTML coding. Phase 3 offers participants the ability to attain any additional training or certifications they may need for their chosen career track.

Phase 4: Internship

3-6 months, 10-20 hours per week

Internships are are critical for survivors with significant work history gaps – frequently a major barrier to employment for hard-to-employ populations. Through our network of over 200+ internship and employment partners, program participants gain the experience they need to be competitive in the job market.

Phase 1: Career Readiness
Phase 2: Office Operations
Phase 3: Occupational Training
Phase 4: Internship

10 sessions, 20 hours

13 weeks, 285-315 hours

6 weeks, 30 hours

3-6 months, 10-20 hours per week

Results

1,070+ Enrollees

1,777 Microsoft Office
& QuickBooks Certifications

78% Completion Rate

840+ Phase 1 & 2 Graduates

200+ Internships

65% Job Placement Rate

$20.94/hr 2020 Average Graduate Salary

200+ Employer Partners

$12 Million Aggregate Payroll,
2018-2020

“During my intake, they welcomed me with excitement and more certainty than I’ve ever had or seen in a single room. They broke down everything from what actually matters to employers on a resume, to how they planned to help me get a living wage job.”

Rebecah

“We’ve had such positive experiences with the interns from Sanctuary for Families, and our partnership with the organization is life changing for all parties involved.”

Territa Givens
Partnership Coordinator
Harlem YMCA of Greater New York

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Read the Economic Empowerment Program’s Five Year Report

Join Us

Learn more about becoming an internship and employment partner.

Our Approach is Unique

Comprehensive Training & Services

Participants in our career readiness training have access to our full range of legal, counseling, and shelter services as well as on-site childcare. Monthly MetroCards, meals, professional clothing, stipends, laptops, and wifi hotspots ensure participants are able to focus on their training, job applications, and interviews.

A Guaranteed Occupational Income

Many gender violence survivors live near or below the poverty line and are supporting children. Working without compensation is not feasible for most families escaping abuse. A guaranteed occupational income, or stipend, enables survivors to focus on their training and incentivizes program completion.

A Professional Network

Networking is an essential component of many professionals’ job searches, but forging these connections is challenging for those who come from low income communities, are experiencing homelessness, are new to the U.S., or who have gaps in employment. Our partners provide participants with the support and connections needed to get their foot in the door at leading companies.

Success Stories

Amy

In June 2015, Amy was in a domestic violence shelter with her 4-year old son Darren, pregnant, afraid and unsure of her future. With the help of our Economic Empowerment Program, Amy secured an internship which turned into a career track job at a prestigious New York City law firm.

Abigail

In July 2012, Abigail took her two-year-old son, her dog, and her few possessions, and left her abusive husband. Through Sanctuary’s Economic Empowerment Program, Abigail learned critical office operations skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Meena

Four years after her marriage began, Meena fled with her two-year old daughter Shari to a domestic violence shelter in Queens. With EEP’s help, Meena obtained a full-time job earning $25,000 a year as a campus recruiter and soon advanced to a higher paying position.

Do you need help?

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