WE TRANSFORM LIVES
with hope and humanity
through legal advocacy and system reforM
we are champions
for every individual and family impacted by gender-based violence and the child welfare system.
WE ARE FIGHTERS
and collaborators so that the system treats everyone with respect, dignity, and fairness.
WE ARE CATALYSTS
so that the people we serve can feel hopeful, confident, and joyful about their future.
WE STAND FOR JUSTICE
Our mission is to empower individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence or the child welfare system to achieve safety and stability through holistic legal advocacy and systemic reform.
We are working toward strong communities where people have the power to navigate fair systems and overcome violence.
We care
Client-Centered
We view our clients as partners and the experts in their own lives; they are the leaders of their own legal representation.
Steadfast in Belief
We begin every interaction as if the person across the table is telling the hardest, truest story of their life; they usually are.
Intersectionality
We recognize our clients’ overlapping social identities and ranges of experiences, valuing each individual’s personhood and integrity.
Fairness
We help our clients navigate the legal system, seeking a fair outcome regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or social status.
Education
We commit to sharing knowledge and expertise in ways that grow our clients’ abilities to advocate for themselves.
1 in 4
women experience serious intimate partner violence in their lifetime.40,000 +
clients served in over 30 years.85%
of DCFS cases successfully appealed.
1,000 +
survivors of gender-based violence served every year.Stories
Hear Latasha’s Story
Meet Latasha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR_w8wZyIqk Latasha’s life changed when her father passed away. She went into a deep depression, experiencing suicidal thoughts and delusions. In a moment of crisis, Latasha left her one year old son at an emergency room along
Hear Janet’s Story
Meet Janet
Janet grew up in Mexico and came to the US, where she became friends with her future husband, Brad. While things were good between Janet and Brad for many years, their relationship eventually changed and Brad became
Hear Kristen’s Story
Meet Kristen
https://youtu.be/QkhONSxFUfc Kristen felt hopeless. She was in a controlling marriage that contained verbal abuse and, when she became pregnant, the abuse turned physical. To protect herself and her unborn daughter, Kristen found safety in a shelter. Kristen’s