E-Bulletin. Since 2001, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation has been. Across the state, many organizations will be observing and

Transcription

1 E-Bulletin APRIL 2009 National Crime Victims Rights Week in Texas (April 26- May 2) TAJF celebrates 25 years of funding access to justice this year. Please mark your calendars for the Anniversary Gala, May 27, 2009, at the AT&T Conference Center. Since 2001, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation has been funding Texas non profit programs to provide victim-related civil legal services directly to victims and immediate family members. This came about as a result of the Texas Office of the Attorney General and the Supreme Court of Texas entering into an agreement to administer a $5 million Crime Victims Civil Legal Services fund over the biennium. The monies granted are used to provide free civil legal services to low-income victims of crime. aspx ***************** Cy Pres Cy pres awards are funds in class action cases that, for a variety of reasons, cannot be distributed to class members or beneficiaries who were the intended recipients. Under the cy pres doctrine courts can Across the state, many organizations will be observing and hosting crime victims awareness events. Below is a brief listing of events and programs planned by Texas Access to Justice Foundation grantees.

2 distribute these residual funds to appropriate charitable causes. Cy Pres Learn more at onate/cy_pres.a spx and spread the word! National Crime Victims Week Events The Texas Legall Serviices Centter will host the Crime Victims Hotline April 26th thru May 2 nd. Individuals can seek counsel and referral services by calling the hotline at ((800)) Aiid tto Viiccttiimss off Domessttiicc Abusse ((AVDA)) Presents a Training Conference with David Thomas Responding Effectively to Domestic Violence: Obtaining the Facts & Getting it Right Thursday, April 23 rd :00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hilton University of Houston University Drive, Entrance One Houston, Texas The topics of the training will be: Abusive Personality & Process of Victimization Evidence Based Prosecution / Victimless Prosecution: Strategies for Success Investigation of DV Cases Full Faith & Credit: Out of State Orders of Protection Self Defense / Predominant Aggressor Women s Use of Violence Stalking. Helping to save a child from a life of abuse and neglect that has lifelong consequences; A special luncheon recognizing AVDA s Deedee Ostfeld Advocacy Award recipient, The Honorable Doug Warne, is included for those attending the training workshop FREE TCLEOSE** available **Certificate for F6 Report WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Members of the judiciary, police and first responders, probation and parole Please Cathy Prieto-Smith - Director of Special Projects cprieto@avda-tx.org ext. 227 if you are interested in attending. SPACE IS LIMITED TO FIRST 200 SEATS MUST BE RESERVED BY April 13, 2009.

3 Developing a project to assist victims in gaining access to the legal system which results in their accessing education and medical care; Cattholliicc Charriittiieess off Dallllass will host a free Crime Victims Information Forum on Saturday, May 2, :00 am 11:30 am. Free Information!Free Refreshments! Catholic Charities Immigration and Legal Services 5415 Maple Ave. Ste 400 Dallas, Texas Developing a project to assist victims in gaining access to the legal system which results in their accessing education and medical care; The Uniiversiitty off Houstton Law Centter IImmiigrattiion Clliiniic is hosting a week of panel discussions and training seminars: Stabilizing families so it helps a community become a healthier neighborhood for our children; April 26, 2009: United Way Panel Discussion, Houston, Texas on Human Trafficking Victims and Their Needs in the Houston Community April 27, 2009: Community Outreach to Law Enforcement Crime Victims Departments in Harris and Montgomery Counties April 30, 2009: Radio Discussion, KPFT, 90.1 on Immigration Relief for Victims of Human Trafficking and Victims of Crimes

4 May 1, 2009: VAWA Training for Pro Bono Lawyers, Training held at Catholic Charities, 2900 Louisiana, Houston, Texas May 2, 2009: Precinct 7, Houston Police Department, Health Day Fair Domestic Violence Victims-Love Does Not Hurt Access to justice is access to protection, safety, security, benefits, housing, employment and economic security Famiilly Viiollence Preventtiion Serviices events will take place between April 26th ~ May 1st. Four Impacted Areas Because of CVCLS Funding Dignity Child and Family safety Empowering Seminar includes self defense class Sunday April 26 th 1-3pm Women's Super Fitness 7018 Bandera Rd San Antonio, TX. $15 Register by April 22nd by visiting or call (210) 519/8919 or (210) Questions, contact Melissa Schulz melissa.schulz@fvps.org or (210) Health & education Housing and shelter Legal Aid enhances the overall community capacity to address human service needs. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Training Friday, May 1, 2009 Sponsored by: Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance of Catholic Charities, YMCA International Services, University of Houston Immigration Law Clinic, and Boat People SOS Undocumented immigrants who are the victims of domestic abuse face overwhelming barriers in their pursuit of legal status in the United States. The

5 Violence Against Women Act gives many of these battered immigrants the right to self-petition for legal resident status. They do not have to rely on their abusive spouse or parent to petition for them, and therefore, are free to leave the abusive relationship. This seminar will prepare any attorney, regardless of his or her level of knowledge of immigration law, to represent a battered immigrant. SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE: The legal grounds and procedures of a VAWA self-petition, Adjustment of Status Eligibility, and VAWA Cancellation of Removal Updates on recent changes in law and policy The dynamics of working with battered immigrants Comprehensive materials 4.5 MCLE credit, including.5 Hour of Ethics Friday, May 1, :30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.-registration at 11:30 A.M.- Lunch will be provided Please register ASAP by faxing this form to (713) and mailing the appropriate payment to: VAWA Training, Cabrini Center, Catholic Charities, 2900 Louisiana St., Houston, Texas, Please make checks payable to Catholic Charities. $70 for private attorneys $ 50 for Legal Assistant/Paralegal from private law firms. $35 for staff of non-profit legal services agencies or domestic violence service agencies Name:, Firm/Organization: Address: Telephone: Fax: For more information, contact Catholic Charities Cabrini Center at , or jgolac@catholiccharities.org. Cabriinii Centter ffor IImmiigrantt Legall Assiisttance Catholic Charities, 2900 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX Ph: Fax:

6 What resources are available on the internet National Resources Office for Victims of Crime Resource Center (OVCRC), National Criminal Justice Reference Service, Office on Violence Against Women National Domestic Violence Hotline Violence Against Women Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crimes Against Children (CAC) Texas Resources An Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection WomensLaw.org Texas Council on Family Violence Texas Attorney General Victim Assistance Program Local Resources Women s Centers and Shelters Children s Advocacy Programs Court Appointed and Special Crime Victim Advocates United Way and associated non-profit agencies District Attorney s Office, Crime Victims Services

7 Victims of Family Violence Can Get Waiver for Electric and Telephone Service Deposit: ( ) Lite-Up Texas (Low-Income Telephone and Electric Utility Program: LIHEAP ( ) Link Up Program (Reduced Cost Installation of Telephone Service: Wills Clinic (Free Legal Will Services for Low- Income Persons By appointment Only: call or (espanol) to be evaluated Citizenship Classes in San Antonio Women s Support Group of the Family Violence Prevention Services in San Antonio: