November 17th, 2021
Dear Friends,
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m thinking about family heroes: the people who keep our families strong.

Their methods are as diverse as families themselves -- perhaps it’s baking, peacemaking, or storytelling – but however they go about it, family heroes work hard to keep their loved ones safe, healthy, and together.

While memories of my own family’s heroes are strongest during the holidays, at Ascend Justice we are privileged to work with family heroes all year long. Their legal issues vary, but at the heart of most of our cases are clients who are just trying to protect their families and stay close to their children. These clients are the heroes of their families, and we are honored to support them.

This holiday season, please help these family heroes by honoring or remembering your own family hero with a gift to Ascend Justice. By funding the work of our skilled, compassionate advocates, your donation will make all the difference for families in crisis.
Sincerely,
Margaret R. Duval
Executive Director
Ascend Justice
Giving Tuesday 2021
Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back, is happening on Tuesday, November 30th!

You can help support Ascend Justice and transform the lives of individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence or the child welfare system in many different ways:

Welcome New Staff!
We welcomed two new staff members to our Immigration team in November thanks to new funding from the Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program.
Darcy Bautista is a Law Clerk who will be assisting with our VAWA, U Visa, and Battered Spouse Waiver cases. She is a recent graduate of DePaul University College of Law and a former Ascend Justice intern with an extensive legal background. Darcy is "excited to join an organization where everyone works tirelessly to help each and every one of their clients and meet their needs, always with empathy and understanding of each special situation. I look forward to learning from my fellow co-workers and working with our immigration clients".
Annie Slusher is a Staff Attorney focusing on non-detained removal defense and mandamus and APA Unnecessary Delay cases. She is a graduate of DePaul University College of Law and also a former Ascend Justice intern in both the Order of Protection Clinic and Immigration Division. Annie brings experience in asylum law, representation of individuals in removal defense, and knowledge of the intersection of immigration and criminal law. Annie is "thrilled to join the Ascend Justice team because I have deeply admired the organization's mission and commitment to client-centered, collaborative support since I was a summer intern in 2018."

Join us in welcoming Darcy and Annie to the Ascend Justice team!
Join our Team!
We are currently looking for a Staff Attorney to join our team in our Order of Protection Program. For more information on the role and how to apply, click here.

We are also looking for interns for the winter and spring sessions. Internships are available in most of our programs: Family Law, Immigration, Incarcerated Survivors, and the Emergency Order of Protection clinic. For more information and to apply, click here.
legal advocacy. transforming lives.