Family lawyers help NGOs through money and time. Family Lawyer Magazine and Divorce Magazine have chipped in with Charity Funding Challenge.
Our Charity Funding Challenge —We are giving away $6,000 in prize donations
Many non-profit organizations offer services and resources to men, women and children who are in need as a result of family issues such as divorce, domestic violence, poverty, etc. Many family lawyers are making a difference by donating money, and volunteering their time and skills to these organizations. To support their generous efforts, Family Lawyer Magazine and Divorce Magazine created the Charity Funding Challenge to increase awareness of these worthwhile organizations and further empower them by donating $1,000 cash and $5,000 in marketing services to the organization that receives the most votes.
Charities that Have Been Nominated for our Charity Funding Challenge
The AAML Foundation
Chicago, IL • www.aaml.org
Nominated By: Bernie Rinella, Family Lawyer, Rinella and Rinella, Chicago, IL
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation (AAML Foundation) advances one of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers’ most important goals: to protect children and families. The AAMLF raises money in a variety of ways, including its “hourly rate” program, in which a Fellow commits him/herself to contributing one hour of his/her hourly rate. Projects funded by the Foundation include:
- Shelters and legal assistance for victims of domestic violence
- Recommendations regarding important issues in matrimonial law
- Education of judges, lawyers and related professionals about family law issues
- Promotion of free and low-cost family law representation and mental health services for indigent clients
- Programs to help children deal with the effects of divorce
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
Los Angeles, CA • www.hbcfl.org
Nominated By: Stephen A. Kolodny, Family Lawyer, Kolodny & Anteau, Beverly Hills, CA
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law protects victims of domestic violence and improves the well-being of children living in poverty. They provide free family law assistance and legal education to the poor, and strive to empower people in need and assure them meaningful access to the courts. Their programs include:
- Self-Representation: The center aids impoverished individuals to represent themselves in court.
- Pro-bono: Free legal representation to clients who are unable to represent themselves in court.
- Domestic Violence: Legal assistance to victims of domestic violence.
- Community College: Legal assistance for low-income community college students who are experiencing domestic violence and other family problems with on campus sessions.
- Incarcerated Mothers: Legal education at women’s jail in Los Angeles and direct legal assistance is provided to mothers released from jail.
The Lilac Tree
Evanston, IL • www.thelilactree.org
Nominated By: Jay A. Frank, Family Lawyer, Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa, Chicago, IL
The Lilac Tree is a resource for women across Illinois who are contemplating divorce, or are in the process or post-decree. Their mission is to provide education, support and resources to women, so that they can move confidently towards independence. The Lilac Tree helps clients stay focused, and really work together with their family lawyer to achieve the best possible outcome both legally and financially for their family. Their support programs include:
- Individual Information Sessions: Help women assess their options and learn what to expect legally, financially and emotionally.
- Divorce Workshops and Seminars: Including a semi-annual “Divorce UniversityTM” which covers the role of family lawyers, mediators and financial planners, what women need to know about finances, helping children through divorce, co-parenting, infidelity, making career transitions, reducing stress and more.
- Divorce Support Groups: Led by therapists, to help women deal with emotional issues.
Jewish Family and Child Services
Toronto, ON • www.jfandcs.com
Nominated By: Judith Holzman, Family Lawyer, Judith Holzman, Barrister & Solicitor, Toronto, ON
Jewish Family & Child (JFCS) supports the healthy development of individuals, families and communities through prevention, protection, counselling, education and advocacy services. They serve as a community asset for all family law firms and family lawyers who want to help their clients and their families to make the divorce process more manageable and less emotionally traumatic. JFCS offers a number of support programs for people of all faiths. All programs are offered on a sliding scale based on ability to pay:
- The Changing Family Program: Features a free, private and confidential half-hour legal consultation with a family lawyer and workshop to minimize the impact of divorce on children, and to diffuse high conflict divorce.
- Referrals: To other support programs to deal with financial matters, individual and group counseling, and more.
Levitt & Quinn Family Law Center
Los Angeles, CA • www.levitt-quinn.org
Nominated By: Steve Mindel, Family Lawyer, Feinberg Mindel Brandt & Klein, LLP, Los Angeles, CA
The mission of Levitt & Quinn Family Law Center is to provide affordable legal representation in family law matters to low-income families of Los Angeles County to ensure stability for children and their families in the face of legal difficulties. There are few non-profit or government funded organizations that provide the scope of legal services and response to a family in crisis as does Levitt & Quinn. Their highly qualified attorneys and legal assistants help individuals with family law issues, including:
- Adoption
- Child Support
- Custody & Visitation
- Domestic Violence
- Grandparent Visitation
- Guardianship
- Marital Dissolution
- Paternity
- Spousal Support
