Barrier Free Living (BFL) has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the Assurant Foundation to create a financial literacy program and scholarship for tenants of BFL’s supportive housing complex in the Bronx.

BFL Apartments offers 120 units of permanent housing to survivors of domestic violence with disabilities and their families, as well as veterans with disabilities.

The grant, part of Assurant Foundation’s sustainable living mission, will fund a 12-week financial literacy workshop that culminates in career-oriented scholarships for eligible participants. There will also be a concurrent “money matters” workshop for kids living at BFL Apartments.

“The grant offers an incredible opportunity to our tenants, many whose career goals were halted due to domestic violence situations, “ says Scott Hess, BFL Director of Communications. “The program will allow tenants to move forward and pursue new opportunities and, at the same time, learn valuable skills related to financial literacy. Financial abuse can be can be part of domestic violence and financial literacy can be a key component of safety, stability, health and empowerment.  “

The scholarship program is set to begin in the fall of 2017.