When do you celebrate the new year?
While we generally think of new year celebrations taking place on December 31, they actually occur throughout the (calendar) year. Chalk it up to a human desire for fresh starts, but in addition to watching the ball drop and singing Auld Lang Syne, we can also celebrate Lunar New Year, a variety of religious new years, the beginning of an academic year, and everyone’s favorite: fiscal new year!
At Ascend Justice, our fiscal new year started on July 1. Like all of the other celebrations of a new year, our fiscal new year is an opportunity for reflection and for goal-setting. The accomplishments of the past year – the creation of a remote Order of Protection hotline, the passage of HB 3161 (creating Fatality Review Teams), the launch of services for incarcerated survivors, and providing free legal services to over 700 individuals and families – are all evidence of our staff’s relentless commitment to survivors of gender-based violence and families impacted by the child welfare system.
Our goals for this year are equally ambitious, and we cannot reach them without you. This fiscal year, we hope to raise $65,000 from individual donors like you. That funding will support our team as we seek to meet the needs for our services that have grown so much during the pandemic and help over 1,000 individuals and families. So while you may not celebrate a fiscal new year, you can join our new year’s celebration. Please show your support for our work with a donation – no silly hats or paper horns required!
Sincerely,
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Margaret R. Duval
Executive Director
Ascend Justice
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Domestic Violence Fatality Review
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With State Representative Maurice West, last year Ascend Justice formed a working group of stakeholders across Illinois to examine how domestic violence fatalities could be studied, reviewed and to determine the best approach for our state.
This winter, House Bill 3161 and Senate Bill 685 were introduced to create a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Statewide Committee with regional review teams. After receiving unanimous, bi-partisan, and bicameral support, the bill is awaiting Governor Pritzker's signature.
We are so thrilled about what this committee and regional teams mean for survivors across our state and look forward to sharing more in the coming months about our other advocacy efforts.
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Board of Directors Updates
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Please join us in congratulating the new Board of Directors Executive Committee:
President: Karen Munoz, Dolan Law PC
Vice President: Nathan Jenks, Zweck Strategies
Secretary: Myoka Kim Goodin, Locke Lord LLP
Treasurer: Jessica Swider, Greater Chicago Food Depository
We want to extend our gratitude to Paige Tinkham Barr who ended her three-year tenure as Board President and to Alexandra Rapoport, who stepped down after six years on our Board of Directors last month.
Interested in learning more about the Ascend Justice Board of Directors? Email Margaret Duval.
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Skadden Domestic Violence Awareness Week
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP recently helped bring awareness to survivors of gender-based violence with their "Domestic Violence Awareness Week". Skadden attorneys paired with summer associates to work directly with survivors of gender-based violence seeking an Emergency Order of Protection (EOP). Volunteers worked with survivors to fill out the court pleadings and affidavit necessary to file for the EOP. Since volunteering in June, the attorneys and associates who volunteered have signed up for additional dates beyond the weeklong obligation.
To read more about Skadden's Domestic Violence Awareness Week, visit our website.
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Young Professionals Board Updates
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Please welcome the newest members to our Young Professionals Board:
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Elena Dennis (LINK Unlimited Scholars)
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Theresa Lechner (Dussias Wittenberg Koenigsberger)
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DC Wolf (K&L Gates)
Our Young Professionals Board also welcomed a new Executive Committee last month:
Chair: Leah Song, Jenner & Block
Vice President of Administration: Khadija Lalani, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Fall Event Chair: Elena Dennis, LINK Unlimited Scholars
Spring Event Chair: Olivia Basu, The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC
A big thank you to Shannon Quinn who served as YPB Chair for the last two years, as well as Cait Farry, Jacqui Gianni, Alyssa Ramirez, and Connie Tzeng for their service on the YPB Executive Committee last year.
Interested in learning more about the Young Professionals Board? Email Fawn O'Brien.
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legal advocacy. transforming lives.
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