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Doorways Safehouse:
703-237-0881

Doorways Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home:
703-907-0022

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Financial Independence Track (FIT)

Doorways’ Financial Independence Track (FIT) is an interactive “one on one” financial education program which teaches clients the basics and mechanics of money and debt management. The personalized sessions are held between two people, the client and the Financial Education Counselor. The FIT curriculum empowers clients to manage their current daily finances and understand their debt and address debt issues which may prevent them from living independently.  The FIT program utilizes a Wealth Enhancement approach to increasing the cumulative wealth of our families- through enhanced earnings, entitlement program maximization, debt reduction and cost savings.

Doorway’s FIT Program receives funding from Allstate Foundation, Wachovia Foundation, Washington Area Women’s Foundation, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Battelle, Herb Block Foundation, International Monetary Fund, Arlington County and Women in Housing and Finance Foundation, ensuring this critical program serves all of Doorways clients.

This year, FIT provided 332 individual sessions for 52 women and families who resided in our Domestic Violence Safehouse or in our HomeStart Supportive Housing Program.

In FY 07, Doorways’ FIT program achieved the following results:

• 100% of clients learned and understood basic money management concepts.
• 100% of clients developed a financial safety plan.
• 95% of clients who obtained their credit report created a debt management plan.
• 72% of clients showed debt reduction.
• 32 clients deposited money into escrow savings accounts maximizing their savings as they have never before; several clients saved more than a thousand dollars per year with earned hourly incomes< ranging from $10.00 - $12.00

Equally important, the FIT Program addressed the range of complex emotional and behavioral issues   that are often barriers to changing financial behaviors.

FIT Addresses Today’s Financial Challenges

Adult clients experience unique challenges in their efforts to succeed in today’s economy.
Victims of domestic violence typically experience:

Homeless  adults typically arrive at Doorways with:

As a result they often find themselves with:

FIT Assists in Finding Solutions

The FIT Educator provides financial counseling sessions that focus on concrete steps to bring clients out of financial crisis. Together we develop a personalized financial action plan that allows our clients to:

“The FIT Program made me feel like an adult, again. My daughter needs me and a home to feel good, not a bunch of toys. I get that now.”

For more success stories, click here.

24 Hours/Day

Doorways Safehouse: 703-237-0881

Doorways Emergency Shelter: 703-237-1147

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Doorways for Women and Families,
formerly The Arlington Community Temporary Shelter (TACTS)
PO Box 100185, Arlington, VA 22210 | Ph: 703-522-8858 | Fax: 703-522-4338
Copyright © 2004 - Doorways for Women and Families. All rights reserved.
Created by Matrix Group International Inc. ®