NEW YORK, N.Y. – Working in Support of Education (w!se) is pleased to announce the conclusion of a successful semester of our MoneyW!SE program for survivors of domestic violence in the Bronx, NYC. Now in four major US cities, the program is made possible in the Bronx through a generous grant from The Allstate Foundation.

Through this groundbreaking program, w!se offers a 13-week course on personal finance to survivors of domestic violence and, at the end of each course, administers w!se’s Financial Literacy Certification Test. Clients who pass the Test become Certified Financially Literate and earn w!se’s CFL™. Classes meet once a week in the evening for two hours. Food, child care and the opportunity for financial counseling are provided.

Partnerships are key to the success of MoneyW!SE and, in the Bronx, the program is delivered in partnership with the Family Justice Center, which is part of the NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.

“We are thrilled that this year’s MoneyW!SE Bronx program was a resounding success and we appreciate the generous funding from The Allstate Foundation,” said Phyllis F. Perillo, w!se President and CEO. “This program contributes to the national effort to help survivors lead financially independent lives,” she added.

“The survivors were actively engaged throughout the course,” said Mara Liz Meinhofer, MoneyW!SE instructor and founder, Of Course We Care. “They shared financial questions and concerns and expressed gratitude for the tools and tips they learned. This initiative truly changes lives.”

Fall classes of the MoneyW!SE program for survivors of domestic violence were completed at six centers in four cities this December, including three boroughs of NYC, New Orleans, San Diego and Salt Lake City. MoneyW!SE was first launched in 2009 to help survivors of domestic violence become Certified Financially Literate™.


About The Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people’s well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth and celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people’s lives. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.

About w!se

Working In Support of Education (w!se) is a New York based educational 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to improving lives nationwide through programs that develop financial literacy and readiness for college and the workplace. w!se serves low-to-moderate-income communities nationally. Media Contact: Steven Appel at (212) 421-2700, sappel@wise-ny.org

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *