November 2011

Dear Friends,

As I look at a blank page before me, I feel that I could fill it completely with stories of how the economy has left precious little funding for small, independent non-profits like WIT; or what emergency measures we are taking so that we will remain accessible to the thousands of women who turn to us for help each year; or how we are turning to volunteers, more than ever before, to provide support services.

For as bad as it is for non-profits and small businesses, it is that much worse for each individual person, working or unemployed, affected by this economic storm. Each woman we see has her own story, her own individual crisis. Like Lisa, whose partner forces her into prostitution to make money to pay the rent.

We are always asked, Why don’t women just leave their abusers? Very often, our answer is: aside from concern over her own safety and that of her children, the reason is economic. She doesn’t have the resources to just leave. Like Brenda M., who was laid off from her job and is financially dependent on her abusive partner. He recently cancelled her cell phone contract, making it difficult for her to look for a new job.

An abuser holds all the power: telling his partner that she should not, or cannot, work; cannot attend school; must stay at home with the children. An abuser manages the finances; controls the cash flow; uses this economic abuse of power to ensure that his partner will remain dependent on him.

Yet, every day, strong, brave women come through our doors; like Kathy, who receives an “allowance” from her abusive partner but secretly stashes away some of the money to pay for her bus ride to and from WIT, knowing that if her partner found out, she would be savagely abused.

So, please join me in supporting these strong, brave women with a gift in the amount of $35, $50, $100 — or more! Your donation will help many more women find their own way through difficult times such as these. Thank you,

Roberta L. Hacker,
Executive Director