Grant Funding Helps Women Overcome Domestic Violence, Homelessness

SAN DIEGO - Sept. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Hundreds more women affected by domestic violence and homelessness in San Diego County will have the chance to transform their lives with the help of a three year grant from the Issa Family Foundation supporting Leap to Success.

With the generous support of $150,000 over three years, Leap to Success will be able to help women like Connie, who had been homeless, in an abusive relationship, and had turned to alcohol to soothe her pain. Through Leap to Success training and coaching, Connie started to believe in herself, and what she had to offer.

“I felt like I had a sign around my neck that said homeless,” said Connie. "Through Leap to Success, I built my confidence and improved how I saw myself… For my homework assignment, I got an informational interview, which led to getting hired as a receptionist at a law firm.”

“I’ve worked my way up in less than two years to legal secretary.”

“The Issa Family Foundation is proud to support the innovative work that Leap to Success is doing to help women and families in San Diego County,” said Kathy Issa, CFO “With professional development and leadership training, they are helping abused and homeless women get back on their feet and move forward with confidence, to new careers.”

“Congressman Darrell Issa and Kathy know the importance of investing in training to help people build confidence and be productive.” says Leap to Success Executive Director Dana Bristol-Smith. “I am so grateful for their trust and investment in us to help women who have been through such devastation, create better lives for themselves and their families.”

Leap to Success partners with more than 20 homeless and domestic violence agencies that help women heal from abuse and crisis. Case managers and therapists refer eligible women to the program. Bristol-Smith says, “Our programs are the next step to help women become self-sufficient, confident, and productive, helping to break generational cycles of violence, dysfunction, and poverty.

“I am inspired every day by the resilience and strength of the women we serve.”

Leap to Success programs give women the tools, support, and confidence to:

- Identify and pursue personal and career goals to achieve self sufficiency
- Develop public speaking skills and confidence
- Build and sustain healthy relationships
- Better manage stress and develop self-care practices
- Share their personal stories of overcoming adversity to educate and empower others
- Be role models and leaders for their families and communities

About Leap to Success

Leap to Success http://leaptosuccess.org/ was started in 2008 as a volunteer project by Dana Bristol-Smith. Since that time, over 400 women have graduated from  training programs that are taught by experts in personal and professional development, and counseling. The programs are offered in North San Diego County in Vista and Downtown San Diego. The long-term vision is to expand by training others nationwide to empower more women who have overcome adversity to reach their potential to become powerful voices and leaders in their communities.