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Walk with us

When asked whether they would prefer to meet a man or a bear, while walking in the woods, most women said… the bear.

When 54% of women1  in America experience contact sexual violence and 47%2  suffer from domestic violence/intimate partner violence, this eye-opening admission isn’t a surprise.

Taken together with the facts that many women stay with abusive partners due to economic abuse3 and that up to 99% of domestic violence includes economic abuse, this ongoing status quo is unacceptable. Especially in a country that prides itself as the land of the free.

At Community Financial, we're stepping up to help where we can make the most immediate impact. As a for-impact credit union created to improve the lives of our local communities, to stand with people in the bright spots, the dark moments, and all the harried vibrations in between, we’re dedicating ourselves to helping women escape economic abuse and regain the promise of freedom that this country was founded on.

Pivoting their trajectory and improving their outcomes for the better.

Life’s true currency is love. And, together, we can change things for the better.

Walk with us. Choose The Bear. Because the bear can help.

A woman browsing on her computer

Digital Safety Tips

Protect yourself online!

To minimize the chances of someone knowing that you are researching information about domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, follow these tips.

First Step: Peaceful Families, Safe Communities

First Step Hotline

First Step is the first step

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY DIAL 911

Community Financial Credit Union team members assisting you are not medical or mental health professionals, but will connect you with available resources. For comprehensive, confidential assistance contact our professional partners at First Step of Wayne County through their 24-hour helpline at (734) 722-6800 or see below for your local Michigan resource.

Economic Abuse Stats

The need is real

Economic Abuse affects more than just the survivor alone. Their lost potential affects us all.

94-99%

Of domestic violence survivors have also experienced economic abuse.1

3 in 4

Say they stayed with their abusive partners longer because of economic abuse.2

$3.1-$3.6
Trillion

The economic burden of SA and IPV/DV survivor population over their lifetimes.3,4,5

The economic
trajectory

Of SA and IPV/DV survivors is negatively affected by abuse.6,7

Economic Abuse Awareness

Economic Abuse isn’t always obvious

Planning to Pivot

Path to Recovery

How Choosing The Bear Can Help

Since 2021, Community Financial and the Relentless Care Foundation have contributed or committed over $107,250 to organizations and programs working to support survivors escaping sexual or domestic violence. Choose The Bear is the next evolution of our commitment to doing good for our communities. Which is why we’re proud to offer a number of potential financial lifelines to help survivors pivot their economic outlooks for the better.

Change is possible. Need proof?

Survivor Support

Financial tools to help

If you’re ready to walk with us, we're ready to help you make the most of your money.

What to expect when you connect with us

We are here to provide confidential, compassionate financial support and tools for abuse survivors looking to exit their current situation and regain independence. We will listen to your story. We will work with you to understand your situation and your needs. We will refer you to local advocates and supportive providers. We will work to provide the services that make the most sense for your plan. And, in many communities, we’re right around the corner. Call the Community Financial Care Center at (877) 937-2328 to learn more and get started.

How to safely get started

Connect with your local support resource

See below or tap to find your local providers here. Trained, experienced, confidential providers can help guide you through the process and provide resources to help, often at no charge.

Connect with Community Financial

Call our Community Financial Care Center at (877) 937-2328 to learn how to set up an account and learn more about financial services that can help you make your way to a safer, independent future.

Resources for Help

Michigan Abuse Advocates

You don’t have to feel alone. There are open hearts all over Michigan. Find yours here.

The trail doesn’t end here.

We are constantly evolving to continue better serving our community members in need. If we’ve helped you achieve your financial independence, please reach out so that we can learn from your experience to keep improving our services and help more people in our communities.

Future Services & Support

We are actively working with our domestic abuse and sexual assault resource partners to activate new services to help women regain their financial independence. Please watch this space for more.

Choose The Bear™

—Lori Kitchen-Bushel, Executive Director, First Step
"Community Financial is a partner to First Step in the truest sense of the word. Yes, they are financial contributors and volunteers, but also so much more. They ideate, create new offerings for our clients, support the needs of our staff, and do the tough work of bringing the impacts of domestic violence and intimate partner violence to light. We’re grateful for their courage and heart, and are proud to walk alongside them."

Lori Kitchen-Bushel, Executive Director, First Step

More Community Impact

When it matters most

Because we’ve been there too, we're here to help in the dark moments as well as the light.

Cancer Care Agents

The first program of its kind in the country, we’re working with Cancer Care Advocate Andy Janning to create compassionate and personalized support for those battling cancer.

Steps After Life

Compassionate, expert guidance to help you handle the complexities that come up after losing a loved one.

h-Ope! Affordable Housing

The h-Ope! Affordable Housing program is our way of breaking down the common barriers that keep people from homeownership. Whether you have rate or down payment concerns, low credit, or even timeline issues–helping you find a place to call your own is what we’re putting first.

Choose The Bear

We’re actively working to pivot the trajectories of economic abuse survivors across the state of Michigan toward a better, brighter future. If you, or a loved one, are facing economic abuse, Choose The Bear™. We can help. Content Warning: Messages about sexual violence and IPV/DV

1: https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/nisvsReportonSexualViolence.pdf
2: https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf
3: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0886260514554291
4: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28153649/
5: https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797%2818%2931904-4/abstract#:~:text=Results,U.S.%20adults%20with%20victimization%20history/
6: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28153649/
7: https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797%2818%2931904-4/abstract#:~:text=Results,U.S.%20adults%20with%20victimization%20history