ALBANY—Awarding $500,000 in Grants to Provide Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training for Survivors of Domestic Abuse Across New York State
Five workforce development organizations across New York State will be awarded $100,000 each to help victims of domestic violence. The organizations, in partnership with local domestic violence advocacy agencies, are developing programs to educate and mentor survivors to develop a viable business plan for their venture.
The following organizations will receive the first grants:
- Albany - Hudson Valley Community College Workforce Development Institute and Equinox, inc.
- Buffalo - Everywoman Opportunity Center and the Family Justice Center of Erie County
- New York - Sanctuary for Families, Inc.
- Rochester - Monroe Community College Workforce Development Office and Alternatives for Battered Women
- Syracuse - WISE Women's Business Center and Southside Innovation Center with Vera House
“Small businesses are important drivers of the New York State economy,” said Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. “By encouraging and supporting the growth of small businesses, these grants, and the educational programs they support, not only give domestic violence survivors an opportunity to reclaim their financial independence, they can also lead to additional new jobs down the road as these businesses grow and expand.”
Click here to see a short video about the program - you'll hear from some of the victims of domestic violence who will be helped by the entrepreneurship program.