Program to train domestic violence victims in entrepreneurship

SYRACUSE  —  The WISE Women’s Business Center, Vera House, Inc., and Syracuse University’s South Side Innovation Center (SSIC) are launching a program to help Central New York domestic violence victims become entrepreneurs.

Called Project Phoenix, the program will include courses on credit, money, financial instruments, public speaking, and time management. It will admit participants on a rolling basis.

“Many [domestic violence] survivors have all the skills and ambition needed to become entrepreneurs and take advantage of that level of freedom and security,” WISE Women’s Business Center director Joanne Lenweaver said in a news release. Lenweaver announced the program today along with Vera House Director Randi Bregman and SSIC director Bob Herz.

“The project will help women become independent and take control of their economic futures,” Bregman said. “As Vera House helps women to move from victim to survivor, this program will multiply their choices and expand their opportunities.”

Vera House will provide referrals to the program, and the SSIC will coordinate expert presentations and training. WISE will offer support, networking, and one-on-one counseling.

Program participants will create a business entity when their training concludes. They will also have funding available to attend the annual WISE Symposium.

New York City–based Verizon Communications, Inc. is funding the program with a $100,000 grant. It is one of five grants the telecommunications giant is awarding for entrepreneurship training for domestic violence victims across the state.

Contact Seltzer

at rseltzer@cnybj.com