In looking at Sikhi Alpha’s campaign, much of the focus revolves around social justice, equity, and most importantly, financial literacy. The concept of financial literacy regards the idea of uplifting one’s status through implementing knowledge of finances. Immediately, one is drawn to the idea of educating kids and adolescents about the perplexing nature of the financial world, but who are the adults who require this comprehensive education of financial literacy?
Sikhi Alpha’s various efforts in implementing financial literacy programs in underprivileged elementary schools have been a success, with multiple schools receiving programs to educate their students on the importance of making responsible financial decisions. However, Sikhi Alpha also aims to provide this same support to domestic violence survivors and the shelters in which they reside.
Genesis, a domestic violence shelter located in Dallas, Texas aims to provide financial literacy classes through Sikhi Alpha’s support. According to Jan Edgar Langbein, the chief executive officer at Genesis, “abuse is not always in the form of bruises, and financial abuse is extremely prominent” in domestic abuse dynamics. She gives the example of men in such relationships often having everything in their name, including paychecks, bank accounts, and even gift money, making it difficult for a woman to manage and even escape her abusive situation.
When a woman is able to escape her circumstances, and finds safety in a shelter such as Genesis, she will eventually need resources to start life without her abuser. One of those key resources will be a financial literacy program in which she is taught to act smartly towards her finances through comprehensive knowledge and strategies. She will be able to regain her independence, and refrain from relying on someone for something as foundational as her own finances. This will ultimately prevent domestic violence survivors from falling back into such controlling, abusive situations.
To boost the domestic violence survivors back into the financial world, Genesis has a system in which they “charge” women for their utilities while they are housed in the shelter in order for them to build financial credit. This is alongside their multiple legal, medical, counseling, and housing services for the victims, with none of their funds received from the government. In order to donate, click here.
Sikhi Alpha’s Smile Project is a way for anyone to spread awareness of the domestic violence that the women, such as those at Genesis, endure. Through submitting a Smile, you can stress the importance of how financial literacy can allow victims to achieve independence, and ultimately allow them to live prosperous lives free from their abusers.
