MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The Newsletter of the Pace Women's Justice Center | Fall 2013
  
 

Welcome to our second e-newsletter! There have been a lot of exciting things happening with the Center over the past few months. In October, we held our most successful fundraising and awareness-raising event yet, our annual Making a Difference Benefit Dinner, where we highlighted our elder abuse work.  Since 2005, PWJC's Elder Justice Program has been providing free civil legal services to elderly Westchester residents who are victims of abuse. Read on to learn more about our benefit dinner, how one local couple included PWJC at their wedding, and our Pro Bono outreach activities. Thank you for staying connected with us!


-Jane Aoyama-Martin
  Executive Director 
Annual Benefit Dinner a Huge Success!

PWJC's annual benefit dinner, "Making a Difference: Pursuing Justice for Westchester's Aging Community," was our largest and most successful benefit dinner to date! We raised over $160,000 and had more than 370 supporters join us at Tappan Hill in Tarrytown on October 16 as we highlighted PWJC's Elder Justice Program and honored Mary Beth Morrissey, Esq. with the Creative Vision for Elder Justice Award and Steven Schurkman, Esq. with the Elder Justice Distinguished Achievement Award. 

2013 Dinner Honorees
Jane Aoyama-Martin & Honorees Mary Beth Morrissey and Steven Schurkman. 
Click here to see more great photos on our Facebook page!  
�Margaret Fox Photography

PWJC Executive Director Jane Aoyama-Martin, Esq. welcomed attendees and served as Master of Ceremonies. Attendees also heard from dinner co-chairs Linda Markowitz, Esq. and David Glasser, Esq., as well as from PWJC Elder Justice Program attorneys Susan Ferlauto, Esq. and Roberta Goodman, Esq. and Director and Managing Attorney of the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, Joy Solomon, Esq.

 

Since the Elder Justice Program's establishment in 2005, hundreds of individuals have benefited from the direct legal services and educational trainings the program provides. The record amount of money our many supporters helped us raise will greatly assist us as we continue to pursue justice for Westchester's aging community, and we are so grateful. Thank you for helping us to make a difference!

 

Thank you to all of our Dinner Sponsors for their generous support! To see a full list of our sponsors, click here 

PWJC Supporters Tie the Knot- and Tie PWJC into the Celebration! 
Stella-Turner Wedding
At Polly and Edgar Stella-Turner's May wedding in Connecticut, family and friends were not the only ones present on this special day-- the Pace Women's Justice Center also made an appearance. At the seat of every guest was a place card that read, "In Honor of You," and then went on to explain that in lieu of favors or flowers, Polly and Edgar had made a donation in honor of their guests to the Pace Women's Justice Center.

 

For Polly and Edgar, of Rye Brook, giving back on their wedding day was an easy choice to make. Always looking to "pay it forward," they knew that they would rather donate the money that would have gone toward favors or flowers to a place in need. Upon thinking over what recipient they most wanted to incorporate into their wedding day, PWJC turned out to be the perfect answer.

 

"PWJC is very dear to my heart," Polly explained. "I am thankful there is a place like this for women." Years ago, when Polly needed help, it was PWJC that she reached out to for assistance. Noting the compassionate and helpful support PWJC provided, Polly and Edgar decided they wanted to make a contribution to PWJC so that others in need could receive the same important support that Polly once did.

 

Thank you, Polly and Edgar, for your thoughtfulness and generosity. We are so thankful for your kind gift, and wish you a lifetime of happiness!

 

Are you interested in making a gift to PWJC? Click here to learn how
Program Support for PWJC
In addition to their dinner sponsorship, The Gant Family Foundation awarded PWJC with a grant of $1,000, which will provide general program support.
  
Hudson Valley National Foundation, Inc. awarded PWJC a grant of $500 for general program support.

 

New York Judiciary Civil Legal Services has awarded PWJC an additional $57,000 in funding that will support the PWJC Pro Bono Program.
  
The Scarsdale Woman's Club awarded PWJC with a $700 grant for general program support.
 
The US Department of Justice awarded PWJC with a Legal Assistance for Victims Grant in the amount of $500,000 over the course of three years.
 
Verizon Foundation awarded PWJC with a grant of $20,000 that will help us enhance our marketing and outreach efforts as well as provide legal services to the community.

 

The Westchester Community Foundation awarded PWJC with a $30,000 grant, which will allow us to increase Pro Bono legal services to low-income domestic violence victims.
RECOGNITION FOR PWJC 
Tanya's Award
Julia Santiago, Erin Guven, Tanya Briendel, and Judge Anthony Scarpino 
Eric Glassman 
PWJC Attorney Tanya Briendel
was honored in October for her pro bono work with the Ninth Judicial District's Supreme Court of Westchester County Uncontested Divorce Clinic.
 
The Westchester County Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), of which The Elder Justice Unit of PWJC is a participating member, received a Certificate of Excellence in providing adult services from New York State in October.
 
Jane Aoyama-Martin was honored at the OCA Westchester & Hudson Valley Dynamic Achiever Awards Gala & 33rd Anniversary Celebration in November, and at the Above the Bar Awards in June.
NEWS & NOTES

 

The PWJC Helpline is now 
open 9:00 A.M.-7:30 P.M. on Thursdays. 
Hours remain 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

 

Callers can: speak to an attorney, obtain information regarding legal rights and the court system, and receive referrals. All calls are confidential, and language interpreters are available.

 

PWJC HELPLINE
914.287.0739
PRO BONO CORNER

  

Welcome to our Newest Volunteers!

  

Attorneys

Anthony DeSiato

Kyle Epstein

Daniela Israelov

Ilana Kramer

Charles Lacina 

Anne O'Beirne

Mimi Ophir

 
Paralegal 
Debbie Leibler

 

Student Interns

Martha Adams

Lauren Foballe

Briana Hilfer

Ginny Noble

Jessica Sensi

Abby Silver

 
Thank you for all that you do! 
PWJC is always looking for lawyers, students, and other interested individuals to volunteer. Call Natalie at 914-422-4069 to learn more.

  e

Did You Know...

PWJC hosts educational presentations on the topics of elder abuse and domestic violence? Call Natalie at 914-422-4069 for more information.

STAY CONNECTED!
  
The PWJC Facebook page will keep you up to date on important domestic violence and elder abuse news, as well as important goings-on around the office. Click on the button below and "like" us on Facebook today!
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PWJC is a legal center located at 
Pace Law School

PACE WOMEN'S JUSTICE CENTER

78 North Broadway

White Plains, NY 10603
914.422.4069 Main ∙ 
914.287.0739 Helpline