“Thank you very, very much for this financial assistance.  My job layoff was totally unexpected and, thanks to The Second Step, I know that my rent is secure for the next month, until my new job kicks in.”
— Joanne
Emergency Funding Recipient

Emergency Financial Resources

Liz Kirsch Opportunities Fund
Leaving an abuser often means facing financial hardship and putting oneself and one’s children at risk. Without emergency funding assistance, some victims of domestic violence return to their abusers just for short-term financial reasons.  For a survivor of abuse, having the money to repair a car, pay a utility bill, or make a security deposit on a new apartment can mean the difference between safety and danger. Short-term economic assistance may be the simple but crucial stepping-stone toward a safe and stable future. 

The Liz Kirsch Opportunities Fund addresses the emergency needs of domestic-violence survivors.  Each applicant to the Fund is interviewed personally.  In addition to financial resources, survivors are given information and referrals to needed supportive services.  They are offered safety planning when appropriate, as well as advocacy and follow-up.

How It Works
Survivors seeking emergency funds must complete an application and provide supporting documentation that they are fleeing an abusive situation. The Second Step’s review and approval process is quick, and funds are often released within days. Grants may cover:
  • Back rent and utility bills
  • Moving and relocation costs
  • Security deposits for rental housing
  • Education expenses
  • Transportation expenses—T-pass or car repair/insurance
  • Supplemental child care costs

For more information about the Liz Kirsch Opportunities Fund, or to apply for a grant, please call Carole Thompson at 617-965-2538 or email cthompson@thesecondstep.org.

Please support the Liz Kirsch Opportunities Fund. Your gift of financial support to the Liz Kirsch Opportunities Fund directly benefits adult and child survivors of domestic violence.
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