Legal Aid to Survivors of Domestic Violence

All,

 

My name is Akiva Cohen and some of you are not going to believe this, because it could easily be a scam: I'm about to ask you to help raise money for an unnamed organization, on nothing more than my say-so. But if you're here, I'm hoping it's because you know me well enough to know that if I'm vouching for something, it's real, and the need is real - or because someone else you trust enough told you the same. So here goes.

 

A friend of mine, one of the best attorneys I know, does critical pro bono work for survivors of domestic violence in a state I can't name, for reasons I explain below. They help domestic violence victims obtain orders of protection, divorces, child support and visitation agreements, and other critical relief. And their clients don't have anywhere else to go - they are poor, typically immigrants whose husbands or boyfriends try to use the legal system to bury them. The cases I've heard about have nicknames like "military strangler" or "grenade dad" and the stories of the women they've helped are brutal. I wouldn't have the stomach for this work. I'm glad someone does. They currently have 57 clients with cases in order of protection, divorce, juvenile and civil court, all of whom are victims of domestic and/or sexual violence or stalking.

 

Unfortunately, their organization (and it's a legitimate 501(c)(3)) has let them know that they have a budget shortfall pending the results of a federal grant application that will be determined in September 2022. Unless they raise $40,000 for the Survivors aid project by the end of April, they will need to close the Project. If they get $40,000 by the end of the month, they can keep the program open with their staff part-time. If they can raise $55,000, they can keep the program open full-time through September. But because they don't want to cause concern about their other programs, they are unwilling to make a public announcement about this, and I'm therefore unable to announce the name of the organization. (Though those of you who know me have probably figured it out). Funds will be transferred to them by direct bank transfer - their account, and only their account, will be linked for withdrawals from the GoFundMe.

 

If you provide contact details for your donation, I will work to connect you with the organization so you can get a donation receipt. I know it's a big ask, but it's a big need. Let's see what we can do.