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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.
At orsa credit union, we're stepping up to help where we can make the most immediate impact: providing financial assistance for Michigan women escaping domestic violence and economic abuse, including domestic violence loans, mortgage assistance, safe accounts, and credit repair regardless of their financial situation.
Since 2021, orsa credit union and the orsa 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.
Choose The Bear. We have the heart to help.
Economic Abuse Stats
The need is real
1 in 3 Michigan Women
experience Intimate Partner Violence in their lifetime.1
99% of them
will also experience economic abuse, a main power & control tactic2
The Effect
reduces their ability to escape and recover financially from abuse3
$3.6 Trillion
The cost of SA and IPV/DV for survivor population over their lifetimes 4,5
Economic Abuse Awareness
Economic Abuse isn’t always obvious
Economic abuse is a form of domestic abuse where one partner controls the other’s access to money and resources, making them financially dependent and unable to leave the abusive partner.
This can involve:
- Controlling bank accounts.
- Threatening or restricting access to funds.
- Preventing work or education.
- Making unilateral money decisions without mutual agreement
- Opening accounts in the survivor’s name without their knowledge.
- Accumulating debts in the survivor’s name.
It traps the abused in the relationship, leaving them isolated and helpless.
Recognizing and addressing economic abuse is essential to help survivors regain their independence and rebuild their lives.
If this sounds like you or a loved one, we can help. See below or call the orsa Care Center at (877) 937-2328 to learn how.
Symptoms can look very different based on the situation and no single symptom may be a sure sign, however there are red flags that offer clues to economic abuse, like:
- Reluctance to speak freely about money matters or other relationship cues.
- They appear not to have clear knowledge of their own finances.
- They dodge or shut down communications around certain things, especially money.
- Multiple bank account holders, where someone doesn’t appear in control of their accounts.
- Unusual banking activity and withdrawal patterns, including frequent overdrafts or requests for unusual transactions.
- Anything that triggers a gut reaction that something isn’t right here.
If you feel someone you care about is suffering from economic abuse, tap to learn more about how to confidentially offer help from First Step.
If you believe that you are in an economically abusive relationship, consider these steps:
- Confide in a trusted friend or family member for support.
- Contact local domestic violence organizations for advice and local resources.
- Save small amounts of money if possible.
- Gather important documents like IDs and bank statements.
- Create a safety plan and seek professional advice to regain your independence.
For a more comprehensive breakdown visit First Step or see below to find a local advocate who can truly help support and guide you based on the needs of your specific situation.
To learn steps to help secure your financial identity and info online in the face of financial abuse, visit techsafety.org
Abusive situations MUST be handled delicately and CONFIDENTIALLY.
Listen without judgement, believe their experiences, and provide reassurance.
Help them explore resources, like local domestic violence or sexual assault organizations, financial assistance, and legal advice.
Encourage them to save small amounts of money and secure important documents.
Because early intervention and your support can make a significant difference in helping them regain their independence and safety. Not to mention a better financial outcome for the rest of their lives.
Ready to help? Tap to learn more about how to confidentially offer help from First Step and see below for your local advocate resource who can advise you. Or reach out to us at (877) 937-2328 to learn more about financial support options from orsa.
Choose the Bear Fund™
Stand up for survivors
with the Choose The Bear Fund™
Choose The Bear Fund™ by orsa foundation is a fund within our foundation, laser focused on strengthening the ecosystem of support services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and economic abuse in Michigan.
How to safely get started
Connect with your local support resource
Trained, experienced, confidential providers can help guide you through the process and provide resources to help, often at no charge.
Planning to Pivot
Path to Recovery
Create your personalized strategy to stay safe and respond to danger.
It includes reaching out to a local violence resource for support, identifying safe areas in your home, collecting emergency contacts, setting aside a hidden bag with essentials, creating a financial safety plan and cash access, including opening a bank account in your own name, determining next steps after exit and planning how to leave safely if needed. Learn more about safety planning here.
Saving up money is crucial for leaving a domestic violence situation.
Having your own funds can provide the financial independence needed to secure safe housing, transportation, and basic necessities. Savings accounts with higher yield APYs can also help protect and grow that money faster, passively.
Even setting aside small amounts can make a big difference in helping you regain control and take steps toward a safer future.
Because every little bit helps, take steps to help improve your cashflow by limiting unexpected drains on your cash balance, like overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees, and increasing incoming funds through tools like high-yield savings accounts. Especially look for accounts that don’t require fees or minimum balances to protect your funds.
As economic abuse tends to damage the survivor’s credit rating, it’s important to understand how to safely repair your credit and begin to establish a solid foundation for a successful and independent future. Seek professional, confidential advice.
Repairing your credit after exiting a financial abuse situation is vital for rebuilding your independence and achieving long-term stability.
Good credit is essential for securing housing, loans, and other financial opportunities. Start by reviewing your credit report, disputing any inaccuracies, and gradually rebuilding your credit through responsible use of credit cards and timely bill payments. Some institutions may offer specific tools, like microloans, to help intentionally rebuild credit.
How orsa can help
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 work with you to understand your situation and your needs, refer you to local advocates and supportive providers, and work to provide services that make the most sense for your plan. And, in many communities, we’re right around the corner. Call the orsa Care Center at (877) 937-2328 to learn more and get started.
Survivor Support
Financial tools to help economic abuse victims
If you’re ready to walk with us, we're ready to help you make the most of your money.
A checking account that actually boosts cashflow by eliminating unexpected fees with its automatic $50 overdraft buffer. If you accidentally spend over your balance by up to $50, that’s CloseEnuff. We won’t charge you. Free to use and only $5 to open with no minimum balance.
Switch big purchases to easier to handle payments right from our digital banking app and website. Even up to 60 days after the buy. Available with a CloseEnuff account.
Avoid scraping through until payday. Get your paycheck up to two days earlier with this free service. Available with a CloseEnuff account.
Save up your money faster with a no-fee High Yield Savings Account that provides boosted APY on small balances. Combine it with Grow Your Change to save faster with every debit card purchase.
Round-up your debit purchases to build your savings effortlessly—while supporting the causes that matter to you!
Low-rate, high-reward credit card options that can help build credit with responsible use.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and IRA CDs can be a “set it and forget it” way to save up over time. How much you can earn depends on the amount, term, and rate.
Get the tools and info you need to help get your life back on the right track.
At orsa, we are committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence and economic abuse. In partnership with First Step of Wayne County, we are piloting new financial tools designed to support survivors.
First Step Hotline
Our partner in Wayne County
IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY DIAL 911
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.
Choose The Bear Tour
This summer, orsa credit union partners with Laura Killingbeck, renowned adventurer and author, as she rides from the Upper Peninsula to Detroit to raise awareness and support for survivors of domestic and economic abuse in Michigan. Along the way she’ll connect with Michiganders, survivors, and non-profit partners to explore real women’s stories and share her journey.
You don’t have to walk alone
Story
An Interview with JoJo Dries, Founder of On The Wings of Angels
On May 20, while en route on the Keweenaw Peninsula, Laura Killingbeck interviewed JoJo Dries from her tent as part of the Choose The Bear Tour. This is the story of On The Wings of Angels.
Story
The Community is Here for You: On The Wings of Angels
In this story from the Choose The Bear Tour, renowned author and adventurer Laura Killingbeck explores the impact of financial abuse on women and how On The Wings of Angels helps survivors pivot their trajectory.
Story
Choose The Bear Tour Begins
For eight weeks, solo cyclist and award-winning storyteller Laura Killingbeck will pedal over 1,000 miles across Michigan to ignite a movement to end gender-based violence and economic abuse. This is the start of her story.
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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
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