One year ago, Rob and Nancy Schulman called up Sanctuary for Families and offered something that seemed too good to be true. “We think we can make a transformative difference in your clients’ lives,” they shared with Sanctuary’s Executive Director, Laurel Eisner.  

As longtime advocates against domestic violence, the Schulmans run Of Home, Family and Future, a charitable organization with a mission to provide significant funds for domestic violence victims who have the potential to achieve economic independence, but lack the resources to make the difficult transition from abuse to stability.

Rob and Nancy Schulman, Founders of Of Home, Family, and Future

The seeds for their model began nearly 10 years ago in Westchester, New York.  Nancy, a licensed psychologist and social worker, had a close family relative who was a survivor of domestic violence, and for years also led support groups for domestic violence victims.  

“I found that there was a tremendous need among the women who fall between the cracks,” said Nancy.  “For the women who were just struggling to earn enough money, and who had kids, there wasn’t anything for them.”  The Schulmans were determined to launch a program to support women leaving domestic violence shelter who were motivated to transform their lives.

Their first step was to purchase a three family home in Westchester for domestic violence survivors and their children, who could live there for up to 5 years.  “We were clear that this was not a shelter.  This was a step beyond that,” explained Rob.  Nancy served as a mentor and facilitator, and Rob worked with the women around budgeting and money management.   After several years of managing the home, Nancy and Rob recognized that it was time to shift gears, and effectuate change through a different model.

Working in partnership with Sanctuary for Families, the Schulmans are today transforming the lives of victims of domestic violence through The Transformation Project, a sub-project of Of Home, Family, and Future.   

Eligible applicants must be employed full-time, committed to reaching attainable career goals, and willing to engage in regular communication with the Schulmans.  “We are looking for highly motivated women with strong internal resources who have an attitude of being a partner in this program,” Nancy shared.

Candidates apply for a generous multi-year grant of up to $40,000 per family per year to support their overall economic independence, and ultimately realize their dreams.  “Our approach is to fund a small number of people, and invest enough resources to help them change their lives,” said Rob.  The funds cover rent payments, education expenses, childcare costs, and other expenses associated with the client’s long-term economic independence. 

Marie, a domestic violence survivor receiving counseling and supportive services at Sanctuary, was the first Sanctuary client selected to participate in the Transformation Project. Supporting herself and her five-year-old daughter by working full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Marie looks forward to the possibility of advancing her career in medicine.  “She had all the things we were thinking of, with a mental state of wanting to take responsibility and step up to this opportunity and make the most of it,” explained Nancy. 

Since being accepted into the program more than six months ago, Marie has already grown tremendously.  Nancy herself was amazed at Marie’s progress. “When the six month review came, I went out to the waiting room to meet with Marie, and I almost didn’t recognize her,” Nancy said.  “Her whole face was bright and it literally took me back.  I didn’t expect that kind of change.” 

Already, the Schulmans have enabled Marie to receive nearly $7,000 which helped to cover her monthly housing expenses, as well as the purchase of her very first laptop computer, connecting her with a wealth of new opportunities and resources.  Marie is actively studying for the National Licensure Exam to become a practical nurse, and she aspires to eventually become trained as a Registered Nurse.

“The mantra of what we do is… to do as much as we need to create real change.  We do this because we want to help provide individuals with the courage to change their lives,” shared Rob Schulman. 

Sanctuary for Families deeply appreciates the generous support of Rob and Nancy Schulman, and the supporters from Of Home, Family, and Future, who are currently reviewing two additional applications for this program.   We look forward to continuing this unique partnership helping survivors of domestic violence reach new heights and true economic independence.

To learn more about the work of Of Home, Family, and Future, visit  www.ofhomefamilyandfuture.org.