Our own program
Dignity & Dollars is run in-house by The Period Pantry. It is not a commercial service and there is no cost to participants.
Pro bono · free to participants
Dignity & Dollars
Financial education, in a trusted room. Dignity & Dollars is The Period Pantry's own in-house program — offered at no cost to participants, and delivered by trained volunteer facilitators in shelter and recovery-center settings.
Financial abuse is a form of domestic violence. Money is often the single biggest practical barrier to leaving safely. A survivor is not bad with money — they were deliberately cut off from it. This program exists so that rebuilding has somewhere to start, without judgment or shame.
A safety note
You deserve support that keeps safety first.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 — call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org.
Use a safe device when possible, and be mindful that devices, mail and accounts may be monitored. Do not take a financial step that could increase risk.
What it is
A room to begin again.
Delivered by volunteers
Sessions are led at shelter and recovery-center sites by trained volunteer facilitators, including our founder, who donates her time.
Survivor-led and optional
Participants decide what, when, and whether to engage. Nothing is required, and no one is asked to explain themselves.
What sessions can cover
Practical tools, at your pace.
Financial inventory
Organizing bills, accounts, debts, income, benefits and essential expenses to replace uncertainty with a clearer starting point.
Reading a credit report
Understanding the sections of a credit report and spotting unfamiliar accounts, inaccurate information, missed payments, collections or possible identity theft.
Organizing disputes and referrals
Helping organize records and prepare questions for creditors, legal support or consumer advocates. This does not replace legal advice and cannot guarantee an outcome.
Safer banking
Exploring individual accounts, new passwords, two-factor authentication, account alerts, paperless communication or a secure mailing address, only when it is safe to do so.
Budgeting on irregular income
Building a flexible plan around changing work hours, benefits, child support, temporary assistance or multiple income sources, prioritising housing, food, transport, medication and childcare.
Building an emergency fund gradually
Small amounts over time can create options. The goal is a gradual, realistic practice — not an unrealistic target.
Navigating benefits and assistance
Listing questions for benefits offices and identifying possible help with food, housing, transport, healthcare, childcare or employment; eligibility is determined by those offices and local advocates.
Protection planning
Information about life and health coverage, beneficiaries and emergency contacts, decided with appropriate professional guidance and without creating additional risk.
Setting long-term goals
Housing, education, employment, debt management, savings, transport or independence can all be part of the picture. Progress may be slow and it still counts.
How it works
A simple path to a trusted room.
Reach out
Use the contact form below or call 410-714-5507.
Coordinate together
We coordinate with the shelter, recovery center or partner organization.
Meet on-site
Trained volunteer facilitators deliver sessions on-site at a time that works for the site. There is no cost at any step.
Who it's for
For people and the sites that support them.
Dignity & Dollars is for people in domestic violence shelters, recovery centers, and other partner sites; and for the staff at those sites who can request the program for the people they serve.
Bring Dignity & Dollars to your site
Let’s make room for rebuilding.
Shelter and recovery-center staff can request sessions for their site. Tell us a little about the people you serve and we’ll start the conversation.
Prefer to call? 410-714-5507
Please keep this in view
Program disclaimer
Dignity & Dollars does not replace legal advice, housing assistance, safety planning, therapy, case management, or domestic violence advocacy. It is one optional, survivor-led tool for rebuilding.
A next step, whenever it feels right