WWBA September 2017 Newsletter

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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Pace Women’s Justice Center Receives $20,000 Grant from the American Bar Endowment Grant Award will Help Fund Walk-In Legal Clinic for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Elder Abuse Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC), Westchester’s leading civil legal services and training provider addressing domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse, announced today that it has received a $20,000 Opportunity Grant from the American Bar Endowment (ABE). The grant will help fund first-year operations of a walk-in legal clinic and resource center for victims of abuse that is scheduled to open in late 2017. The walk-in legal clinic will serve as an in-person extension of PWJC’s existing Legal Helpline. It will be staffed by pro bono attorneys, under the supervision of PWJC staff attorneys. Clients who require ongoing representation will be directed to the appropriate PWJC legal programs. Attorneys will also make referrals to social service providers for shelter and counseling, and referrals to other legal service providers for issues not related to abuse, such as immigration. A portion of the grant will also pay for a bilingual paralegal to help facilitate intake, provide English/Spanish translation, and conduct outreach in the community. The clinic will be the only program of its kind in the Westchester County, NY area. PWJC helps approximately 3,000 low-income victims and survivors of abuse each year. Ninety-seven percent of PWJC clients are women, many with children; approximately 60% are Latino and African-American; over a third are immigrants; and many are socially or culturally isolated, disabled, and suffering from many kinds of abuse. Without legal assistance from PWJC, these victims would be unrepresented and unserved. The continual increase of clients in PWJC’s Family Court Legal Program demonstrated the vital need for walk-in services. Also, many victims who call the PWJC Legal Helpline indicated that they’d like to have the option to come in immediately and meet with a lawyer. The clinic will provide much-needed support for victims of abuse before their situation reaches a crisis point. “We are so grateful for this financial award from the ABE,” said Cindy Kanusher, executive director of Pace Women’s Justice Center. “It will help bring our vision for the walk-in legal clinic to reality. In terms of helping our clients and our community, ABE’s generous support is truly invaluable.” The $20,000 grant to PWJC, was one of 15 Opportunity Grants totaling $378,815 that ABE awarded in 2017. Of these, 12 are state or locally based in 10 states and three are national in scope. The purpose of ABE Opportunity Grants is to support innovative projects that address issues of A Night on the Town with the WWBA On Thursday, August 3, 2017, members of the WWBA got together for an informal continued on page 8 ➥ evening of cocktails and conversations at the Red Hat Restaurant’s rooftop bar located in Irvington, New York. Overlooking the Hudson River, the event was the perfect evening to celebrate summer and to socialize with friends and fellow WWBA members. Stay tuned for more WWBA fun-filled events! WWBA members at the Red Hat Restaurant About Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC): Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC) is a self-funded nonprofit legal center located at Elisabeth Haub School of Law, under the 501(c)(3) status of Pace University. Each year, PWJC provides free legal services to nearly 3,000 victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse, as well as conducts or participates in over 140 training and outreach events. With an experienced staff and a team of dedicated volunteers, including attorneys, other professionals, and students, PWJC has built an effective, coordinated community response to interpersonal violence in Westchester and Putnam Counties. (For more information: www.law.pace.edu/wjc) About the American Bar Endowment (ABE): The ABE is an independent, not-for-profit public charity that sponsors high quality, affordable life and disability insurance for ABA members. The mission of the ABE is to advance legal study and research, and fund programs that advance the American justice system. It achieves this mission through an annual grant program funded primarily by the dividends generated and donated by participating insureds. Over the last 60 years, the ABE has provided more than $277 million to support the research and public service programs such as those of the ABA Fund for Justice and Education and the American Bar Foundation. Kim Berg, Jennifer N. Netrosio, Lisa M. Bluestein, Lisa M. Denig critical importance to the public and the legal profession. The majority of funded programs focus on improving access to legal services among underserved populations. ◗ MEDIA CONTACTS ~ Pace Women’s Justice Center, Jana Kosberg-Kleidman, Esq., Director of Development and External Affairs; 914-422-4638; jkleidman@law.pace.edu American Bar Endowment, Sharon Rizzo, Communications Director; 312-988-6407; srizzo@abenet.org Jennifer L. Gray and Amanda C. Fried Page 6 Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
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WWBA September 2017 Newsletter

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