Dear Santa Barbara Women Lawyers:
We are writing to ask for your support for our Family Violence Prevention Program. The Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County is the only organization in the county that provides free legal services to victims of domestic violence, elder abuse, and sexual assault. In 2014, our Program represented 279 victims of abuse. When a woman, or sometimes a man, is a victim of abuse, the District Attorney may prosecute the abuser, but the victim is left on her own for other legal services necessary to escape the cycle of violence. We assist victims with the following:
- We obtain protective orders that prohibit the batterer from approaching the victim and her children, and from purchasing or possessing firearms. We even obtain court orders to protect the family pet from abuse.
- We assist the victim in divorcing her abuser as well as obtaining custody of her children.
- We obtain court orders to force the batterer to move out of the home, so that the victim and her children are not forced into homelessness as a result of finally seeking help. Where the victim desires to relocate, we assist in finding housing and obtaining other benefits.
- We assist victims who are undocumented to obtain a special visa for victims of violent crimes that allow them to work.
We not only assist victims with completing the complex paperwork necessary to obtain a court order, our attorneys also speak on behalf of the victims in court. A victim who goes to court without an attorney often must face her abuser alone. Almost all of our clients are marginalized-those who are low-income, those who are homeless, and those who are isolated due to cultural or language barriers. We help them navigate the overwhelming legal system. Last year, our cost to assist each domestic violence client was an average of $1000/client. We believe that is an inexpensive price to pay to change a life forever.
This past year, we obtained two short term grants to expand our program to three attorneys, one in the North County, one a U Visa expert, and one in Santa Barbara. Our goal is to permanently sustain our program at the current level. In order to do so, we need stable, long-term funding. We believe that the most stable funding we can find is a commitment from a number of our fellow residents to fund our program for five years. Attached is a pledge form. We are grateful for any amount you are able to pledge. We ask that you join us in ensuring that those among us who have the courage to break free from violence will also have all of the help that they need to succeed.
Molora Vadnais, Executive Director, Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County
Elizabeth Diaz, Managing Attorney, Family Violence Prevention Program, Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County
Kate Lee, Santa Barbara Attorney, Family Violence Prevention Program, Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County
Maribel Aguilera Hernandez
,
Santa Maria and Lompoc Attorney
,
Family Violence Prevention Program,
Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County
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Pledge Form
I would like to pledge to Legal Aid's Family Violence Prevention Program.
$5000 a year for five years.
$1000 a year for five years.
$500 a year for five years.
$250 a year for five years.
$100 a year for five years.
$_____a year for _____years.
$_____per month for _____years.
Payment:
My check is enclosed. Please make payable to Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County. Family Violence on the memo line.
I prefer to pay by credit card.
Visa/MC:___________________________________ Exp. __________CVV__________
Signature:_________________________________________Date:__________________
Name(s):___________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
City:_______________________________________State:_______Zip:______________
Phone(s):________________________________________________________________
Email: __________________________________________________________________
Please remind me of my pledge each year in (circle one): January April July November
Thank You for your very generous support!
Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County
301 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
