By Amy Slater Ovadia | Project Manager
Crossing the Streetis an ongoing project that began in Jaffa/South Tel Aviv and has expanded to Haifa. It is based upon the understanding that financial independence is a crucial element in the rehabilitation of women victims of violence and that we "cross the street" to them!
In December, we opened our SECOND Employment Workshop EVER at The Center for Prevention and Treatment of Domestic Violence Victims in Haifa. In addition to serving women in Haifa, Rebecca, Coordinator of the project was asked by an additional welfare center in a "suburb" of Haifa (Kiriat Ata) if they could send women to Crossing the Street!
Over 20 of the women presently in the Crossing the Streetproject were residents of Battered Women's Shelter more than one time!
"A" 38 years of old, mother of four aged 8-15 has been in a shelter three times. She began Crossing the Street, is living in an apartment and working! I won't have to go back to him, I can support myself! Even though I am poor, I can feed and clothe my children because I am working and maybe even someday I will be able to get my high school diploma.
"S" 49 years old, immigrant, mother of a 12 year old has been in a shelter two times. "Me and my daughter can do it, I have always wanted to work in the medical field, and with Women's Spirit's help (Crossing the Street and a scholarship) I am learning to be a medic, yes me,… can you believe it!!" "We, my daughter and me will never be in the, revolving door again, shelter- him, shelter – him, NEVER!"
Women's Spirit women all have two things in common: they were victims of violence; they are all striving to take control of their lives financially and build a life for themselves and their children free of violence. The women come from all walks of Israeli life: immigrant (Germany, Ethiopia & Former Soviet Union); separated or divorced; mothers; religious and not.
In addition to the project Women's Spirit Director of Services has been asked to speak and educate on the connection between violence against women and financial dependency to social service providers, city hall workers and others.
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