December 29th, 2020
Dear friends,
We’re ready for 2020 to end – it’s been printed on t-shirts, holiday ornaments, and a solid fraction of the internet. But as we take stock of the grief and losses of the past year, it’s crucial to acknowledge the victories as well. Our Ascend Justice staff and volunteers have accomplished amazing things in the face of so many challenges:
- We launched a fully remote Order of Protection hotline that has served hundreds of survivors, including many elderly or vulnerable people who should not have to travel to a courthouse to seek justice.
- Our Client Support Coordinators created a client newsletter to help inform our clients of resources like rental assistance, unemployment benefits, and food pantries.
- The immigration team received news of our first victory under a new Illinois law that made it easier to seek Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. This win will help our client’s teenage daughter attend college.
There are so many more victories, each of which means that a family is safer and more stable. If we can do this in the face of a global pandemic, imagine what we can accomplish in 2021!
We can’t do it without you, though. As you make your year-end gifts, I hope that you will join Ascend Justice as we advocate for people and families impacted by gender-based violence or the child welfare system.
Together, we will make sure the new year is a little happier!
Best,
Margaret R. Duval
Executive Director
Ascend Justice