NOA advocates assist victims in locating and applying for scholarships to further their education and reach their vocational goals.  The primary purpose is to allow victims to gain skills and knowledge needed to maintain an independent life style for themselves as well as their children. For many domestic violence survivors, economic advocacy is critical to their long term self-sufficiency.

To be eligible to apply for a scholarship, clients must be actively participating in the the NOA program and be working with an advocate to develop a working budget, compose short and long-term goals and agree to attend support group and/or counseling.

The Sunshine Lady Foundation is a major sponsor of this program.

The SUNSHINE LADY Foundation, Inc. is a private family foundation established in the fall of 1996 through the vision and determination of founder and President, Doris Buffett. Ms. Buffett has worked for many years on behalf of battered women and their children, as an advocate, fund-raiser, board member and community organizer. A primary focus of the Foundation is to continue, develop and enhance efforts to end domestic violence. Additional funding priorities of the Foundation include primary education, scholarships and families in crisis.

The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc. began as a program of The Sunshine Lady Foundation (SLF) in 1999 and for 8 years provided scholarships to women survivors of intimate partner abuse who were changing their lives through education. In December 2007, SLF Founder and President, Doris Buffett announced her intention to endow WISP as its own entity. On July 1, 2008 WISP, Inc. emerged as a “sister” organization with a mission to enhance efforts to end domestic violence by offering access to higher education.

The primary programs of WISP, Inc. are the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program and the Counselor, Advocate and Support Staff scholarship.

WISP is available nationally to women who have left an abusive domestic situation and who are pursuing an education designed to provide economic independence for themselves and their children.

CASS is for individuals who are employed by a domestic violence service agency.  Such agencies - shelters, resource centers, transitional housing programs, etc. – play a critical role in the effort to end domestic violence. This scholarship was created to help agencies with limited funds assist their staff in developing professionally to better serve their clients.