PRESS RELEASE > Women's Fund Excellence Grant
Legal Aid of Nebraska Receives Women's Fund Excellence Grant
Omaha, Neb., December 20, 2008 -- Legal Aid of Nebraska's work keeping women independent has been recognized by the Women's Fund of Greater Omaha, which awarded the non-profit agency a $25,000 "Excellence in Service to Women" grant. Legal Aid of Nebraska plans to use the funds for its domestic violence prevention program, said Executive Director Doug German.
Legal Aid of Nebraska provides free civil legal services to low-income Nebraskans. Women constitute 75 percent of its cases, with the majority involving domestic violence. Last year, the agency served 2,883 women in Omaha, compared with 2,876 in 2006. Legal Aid served 8,574 women statewide in 2007.
"Not only does Legal Aid work to keep women safe, it helps by finding ways to make them self sufficient," German said. "Women come to us in despair with landlord-tenant disputes, conflicts over property ownership, domestic relations, divorce, child custody, mental health, immigration issues, Social Security, financial matters and many other problems. By helping low-income women be self sufficient, Legal Aid helps women continue to be productive workers, taxpayers and part of the community."
Based on the latest Census figures, one-sixth of Nebraska's population qualifies for Legal Aid services, yet current staffing and resources enable the agency to handle only 14 percent of the cases for those who are eligible.
Domestic violence cases take top priority, and Legal Aid's program is focused first on safety and then on helping women become self sufficient and independent. In addition to providing direct legal services, Legal Aid's staff works with the YWCA, Catholic Charities, Heartland Family Services, Justice for our Neighbors, Lutheran Family Services, the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and all Omaha domestic violence shelters to meet the immediate needs of women facing domestic violence issues.
"We are extremely proud of how our work promotes self sufficiency and success in women, and we're honored that the Women's Fund also recognizes what we are doing for the community," German said.
This is the first time the Women's Fund has given an "Excellence in Service to Women" grant, which is unique in that the funds can be used for general operating expenses or programming.
"We had 16 very good applicants, some of which had not previously applied for our community grants," said Sara Woods, Women's Fund grants committee chair. "It was very inspiring to see what these organizations are doing for women. In the end, the committee and the Women's Fund board of directors agreed Legal Aid of Nebraska's successes merit the agency receiving the excellence grant."
Women's Fund of Greater Omaha
7602 Pacific St., Suite 300
Omaha, NE 68114
www.omahawomensfund.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ellie Archer – 402.827.9280