Hudson Valley, NY – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $448,890 in federal funding for the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. The funding was allocated through the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women. This funding will allow the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide legal representation to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking in Orange County.
The Legal Services of the Hudson Valley will work in partnership with several local organizations including: Safe Homes of Orange County; Mental Health Association of Orange County – Rape Crisis Center; the Orange County Office for the Aging; the Orange County Rural Development Advisory Corporation; and the Orange County Employment and Training Administration.
“Domestic and dating violence is never acceptable and we must do all we can to both prevent it in the first place and take care of those who are victimized by it. Fortunately, there are organizations like Legal Services of the Hudson Valley dedicated to providing legal aid to victims so we can help stop these terrible attacks on women and girls and help those affected back on their feet,” said Senator Schumer. “I will continue doing everything I can to ensure organizations like these have the resources they need to combat these horrible crimes.”
“This critical federal funding will help the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to facilitate a wide range of programs to better assist domestic violence survivors,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Domestic violence is a serious problem and we need to work towards creating a safe environment for individuals and families. By increasing accessibility to legal services to survivors we can help provide families with the support they need to be protected and put their lives back together.”
“The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant funding will enable Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to make a significant difference in the lives of so many victims, survivors and their children by providing desperately needed specialized domestic violence legal services in Orange County,” said Barbara Finkelstein, Esq. CEO of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. “The grant also provides funding for a coordinated network of supportive services to ensure a comprehensive approach to client needs. Legal Services of the Hudson Valley is proud to be part of the coordinated community response with our partner organizations, and we thank Senator Gillibrand for her continued support of our work to combat violence against women.”
The partnership program through the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley is designed to strengthen civil and criminal legal assistance programs for adult and youth victims who are seeking relief in legal matters arising as a consequence of domestic abuse or violence.