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Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County Earns Domestic Violence Grant Funding from United States Dep

November 13, 2002

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-16) today announced a $448,085 Legal Assistance for Victims Grant to the Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County. This two-year grant will provide funding for comprehensive legal services to victims of domestic violence at their Domestic Violence Legal Resource Center. The grant from the Violence Against Women Office’s (VAWO) Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“I am delighted that the Legal Aid Society has been chosen to receive this funding. This grant will help them provide much needed legal representation for women and their families who are in dire need of it”, said Lofgren. Lofgren continued, “the leadership and commitment to helping domestic violence victims by this great organization is remarkable. This grant will help hundreds of victims and their children within our county.” In February 2002, Lofgren wrote to Attorney General John Ashcroft in support of this proposal.

Currently, the Legal Aid Society dedicates itself to protecting domestic violence victims on a limited basis, however thanks to this grant by the beginning of 2003 they will have the opportunity to expand their services.

The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program began as a set aside from the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grants Program and was statutorily created by the Violence Against Women Act of 2000. The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program supports projects that provide legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking. VAWO funds projects that provide comprehensive legal services either through direct representation and/or victim advocacy, which will enhance both victim’s safety and strengthens their economic autonomy.

The Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County is the oldest and largest free legal services provider in our county. For more information about the Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County and its work you can visit their website at www.legalaidsociety.org or by call (408) 998-5200.

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