After a minimum of six months separation from her abuser, a survivor is eligible for services necessary to meet her specific needs and individual goals, and those of her family. These services may include education, housing, child care, transportation costs, legal assistance, job training and placement, and micro-financing of small businesses.

Web of Benefit is based on the philosophy that each woman assisted will become part of the "web of benefit." She will adhere to the "pay it forward" philosophy of doing three good works, on whatever level she is able, for other women in need. This will foster a sense of community and a network of trust, which will enable each woman to feel safe and find the support she needs to gain true independence and reach her highest potential.

Currently, Web of Benefit is funding the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D) System for women in the Transitional Living Program of Transition House in Cambridge. The R.A.D. program advocates “realistically employable self-defense tactics with helpful guidelines for personal growth. The program focuses on awareness, risk reduction and avoidance, basic physical defense, aerosol defense options and advanced self-defense methods.”

Web of Benefit is sponsoring The Self-Esteem Boston Program, which includes six weekly sessions, for Transition House clients. The sessions focus on "positive attitude assessment, awareness and positive change, affirmation guidelines, purpose in life, response power and accomplishments." While the women attend these sessions, their children will be provided with a specifically designed art therapy program.

To be eligible for a Web of Benefit Self Sufficiency Grant, clients with a history of domestic violence must:

• Have been out of an abusive relationship for six months
  
• Be living without threat of recurrence
  
• Have not used any illegal substances within the past six months
  
• Have been free of alcohol abuse for the past six months
  
• Be a resident of the Greater Boston area
  
• Have legal resident status or U.S. citizenship

Examples of assistance provided by Web of Benefit to fulfill these requirements include:

• If married, divorce proceedings begun
  
• Department of Transitional Assistance and health care put in place
  
• Child care put in place

Furthermore, clients must be willing to define specific goals - educational, professional, or other - and commit to accomplishing these goals in writing.

Clients must also be willing to "pay it forward." The Web of Benefit is woven by women for the purpose of empowering women. Those who benefit from our resources are expected to aid in the empowerment of three other women who have survived domestic violence, in whatever fashion the clients are able, within twelve months of receiving services from Web of Benefit, and without expectation of repayment.

Examples might be babysitting, helping with job applications, advising women on educational opportunities, or becoming a support group leader. Clients must sign a contract agreeing to aid others.

Clients who are eligible, and who agree to these conditions, will receive Web of Benefit services to meet the needs of their families, including, but not limited to: education, housing, child care, transportation costs, legal assistance, job training and placement, and micro-financing of small businesses.

In administering its programs and activities, Web of Benefit shall not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, country of origin, veteran status or handicap.