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Dondi Quintans, dquintans@urinyc.org.
Urban Resource Institute Secures $6,500 Grant from The New York Bar Foundation to Enhance Legal Education and Advocacy for Survivors of Domestic Violence
New York, April 10, 2024 – Urban Resource Institute (URI), a pivotal leader in providing shelter and comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence and homelessness, is proud to announce the receipt of a $6,500 grant from The New York Bar Foundation. This funding will bolster URI’s Legal Education Advocacy Program (LEAP), which plays a critical role in empowering survivors through legal education and support. LEAP, established by URI in 2006, offers tailored, on-site legal assistance addressing key issues such as child custody, support, divorce, and protection orders. The program is designed to educate survivors about their legal rights and provide immediate access to necessary legal services, thereby aiding them in achieving and maintaining independence from their abusers. For many, especially undocumented survivors, LEAP serves as a vital bridge to interacting with the legal system in a way that keeps their families intact and safe.Nathaniel Fields, CEO of Urban Resource Institute, expressed gratitude and outlined the impact of the grant: “This support from The New York Bar Foundation is not just a financial boost—it’s a lifeline that enhances our capacity to serve our clients effectively. Through LEAP, we can address the complex and pressing legal challenges that survivors of domestic violence face daily. This grant enables us to extend our reach and deepen our impact, ensuring that justice is not just an ideal, but a reality for those we serve.”
The New York Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, recently allocated over $558,000 in grants to eighty-four programs throughout New York State, demonstrating its commitment to facilitating access to justice. Carla M. Palumbo, President of the Foundation, remarked, “Our network of compassionate lawyers and dedicated volunteers is passionate about changing lives through legal service. We are proud to support URI and other organizations that make a tangible difference in the lives of those facing legal challenges.”
For more information about LEAP and other services offered by URI, visit www.urinyc.org. To learn more about the New York Bar Foundation and its initiatives, visit www.tnybf.org.
About Urban Resource Institute:
Urban Resource Institute (URI) is a pioneering organization that transforms the lives of domestic violence survivors and homeless families by empowering individuals, families, and communities to break free from cycles of domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, and trauma. As the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the U.S. and a leading advocate for homeless services, URI impacts over 40,000 individuals annually through prevention, intervention, education, and direct services in both residential and non-residential settings in New York. URI is recognized as a thought-leader with influence across the U.S. and beyond. For more information, visit www.urinyc.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
For immediate assistance, please call NYC’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.
