Explanation
Title
To recognize and support Project Dignity, a cooperative effort of the Columbus Bar Foundation, the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, and the Columbus City Attorney's Office, to provide legal assistance to victims of domestic violence who cannot afford help.
Body
WHEREAS, the crime of domestic violence continues to victimize families throughout the City of Columbus, where each year approximately 6000 cases are prosecuted in the Franklin County Municipal Court; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, in conjunction with the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence and the Columbus Bar Foundation, the Legal Aid Society of Columbus was awarded a five-year grant to assist the most vulnerable survivors of domestic violence navigate a complex and difficult legal system; and
WHEREAS, this initiative, given the name Project Dignity, in its first year of operation represented 320 cases of domestic violence, and in its second year doubled its assistance to 698 cases; and
WHEREAS, the attorneys and staff of Project Dignity, experts in the fields of domestic violence and poverty law, can be found not only in the courtroom but also around the community, making visits to handicapped clients, meeting clients in public libraries, at settlement houses, and at safe neighborhood locations; and
WHEREAS, the professionals of Project Dignity routinely exceed the call of duty, to see that their domestic violence clients and their children are safe, secure, and self-sufficient at the end of the nightmare; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize and express its support for Project Dignity in providing legal assistance to victims of domestic violence who cannot afford help; and thank those who have partnered in this community-wide effort.