House Rules: Rivermark Leaves a Mark
by Sonja Farster
Empowerment is the key to ensuring domestic violence survivors can make their own life decisions. Because we know that knowledge is power, we set out to give residents at Monika’s House Shelter classes that support our empowerment model and chart the path to self-sufficiency. One of the community organizations that has stepped up to support survivors is Rivermark Community Credit Union.
Karmen Bickel, Rivermark’s Business Development Specialist, has committed her time to educating Shelter residents about financial matters, such as budgeting, credit scores, and debt management. Karmen approaches these classes in a very sensitive way and understands that everyone is different. She motivates survivors to understand finances and to begin making small changes today that will greatly impact them in the future. Karmen encourages survivors to move forward and to not let the past inhibit them from making forward strides.
Mary, a resident who attended the first financial class, was very surprised by how much she had learned. She said, “Why is it that nobody tells you this stuff?” Following the class, another resident shared, “I need to make a change; I just haven’t known where to start.”
Karmen has committed to meeting within a group and individually. We are also planning to have an ongoing class at the business office where survivors can come and feel supported with financial matters even after they have left Monika’s House. We are very excited about our new partnership with Rivermark Community Credit Union. Thanks Karmen!
If you’d like to support additional services and classes for shelter survivors, please consider making a donation. It’s quick, easy, and secure. To contribute now, click here.
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