Organization helps domestic violence victims pursue education
November 8, 2011
The statistics on domestic violence in the U.S. are sobering. According to DomesticViolenceStatistics.org, every nine seconds, a woman in this country is assaulted or beaten. In addition, studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
While leaving an abusive partner is a challenge, it is often necessary for those who want a better life for themselves and their children. This better life can often include going back to college to get a degree, starting a career and independently supporting themselves and their kids.
Mothers who are victims of domestic violence and want to pursue a college education have an additional resource, other than regular scholarships for mothers and grants for parents. The Women's Independent Scholarship Program (WISP) provides scholarships to survivors of intimate partner abuse who are changing their lives through education. The primary intent of the program is to help single mothers with young children who have the greatest financial challenges (child care costs, etc.) to gain work skills so they can support their families.
Since its inception in 1999 WISP has awarded more than $16 million in scholarships to some 2,000 women across the United States.
In order to qualify, a woman must be separated from an abusive partner for a minimum of one year, be a citizen or legal resident of the United States, have applied to or been accepted to an accredited course of study, demonstrate a need for financial assistance and have sought services from a non-profit, domestic violence agency for a minimum of six consecutive months.
