This October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, LIFT-Chicago is proud to highlight our impactful Technical Assistance partnership with The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence. Since July, LIFT has been providing essential training and tools to help The Network offer domestic violence survivors the resources, coaching, and economic support they need to regain stability and independence.
Survivors of domestic violence face a multitude of barriers beyond physical and emotional trauma, with financial abuse often being one of the most significant. Survivors experiencing financial instability are more vulnerable to housing insecurity, and domestic violence remains one of the leading causes of homelessness for women and children. To address these challenges, The Network’s Survivor Fund provides critical financial assistance, which has already made a profound impact since its launch in 2020. Now, with LIFT’s support, the program has expanded to offer even greater opportunities for survivors to regain their independence. Through this partnership, survivors will not only receive guaranteed basic income through the expanded Survivor Fund, but also ongoing financial coaching.
At the core of this collaboration is hope—hope that survivors can break the cycle of abuse, achieve financial stability, and rebuild their lives. LIFT’s evidence-based coaching model is now integrated into The Network’s services, empowering advocates to offer personalized guidance on economic independence. Our coaching approach, rooted in goal-setting and skill-building, equips families with the tools to pursue education, career advancement, and long-term financial security and has touched the lives of thousands. Last fiscal year, LIFT-Chicago served 218 members in direct coaching and among those, 93% of LIFT-Chicago members have made meaningful progress toward economic mobility through our coaching.
October is a time to raise awareness about domestic violence and honor those who have survived. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the power of partnerships like ours, which provide real, tangible support to foster resilience and empowerment. This partnership is a symbol of hope—not just as a feeling but as a pathway to lasting change for families in need.
As we move forward, LIFT-Chicago and The Network will continue working hand in hand to create brighter, more secure futures for survivors.