Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation has awarded its annual grants to several organizations which advance the Foundation’s mission to promote greater access to the justice system for women and minorities. The grant recipients are:
Domestic Violence Clinic and Stop Violence Against Women Clinic Project at Lane County Legal Aid and Advocacy Center – Program gives services to low income survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Service is provided by third year law students and three staff attorneys – two of whom work primarily with Latina and rural outreach. They are working to develop a base of pro bono attorneys to help. Funds will be used to bring a nationally renowned speaker in the area of domestic violence to Eugene.
Child Centered Solutions – Program provides pro bono legal representation for children in high conflict divorce and custody cases in Multnomah County and trainings/consultations to attorneys representing children and other service providers in other parts of the state. Approximately half of CCS’s cases involve minority clients.
Small Business Legal Clinic – The SBLC provides business transactional legal services to new and emerging (low income) small businesses. 77% of the businesses are owned by women, minorities or recent immigrants. Funds will be used toward a pro bono coordinator who will assess needs throughout the state, put together community outreach seminars and organize pro bono projects in other regions of the state.
CASA of Linn County – Funds will be used to implement a public awareness campaign to coincide with Child Abuse Awareness Month in April, which will include ads in the local paper, mail awareness postcards, presentations to service groups and an updated downtown window display.
Red Lodge Transition Services – Program works with Native Americans exiting prison. 100% of the women they serve are victims of domestic violence. They are implementing a Talking Circle for the women in their program, which will include domestic violence training. It will be different from other 12-step type programs, which they have found not to be culturally competent for their women. They also travel to men’s prisons to provide workshops about domestic violence.
Clatsop CASA Program, Inc. – Money will be used to increase capacity to recruit, retain and support volunteers.
CASA For Children (Multnomah and Washington Counties) – Money will be put toward getting one new CASA volunteer.
