Two local nonprofits awarded Montana Justice Foundation grants
Lake County Leader | UPDATED 3 hours, 33 minutes AGO
The Montana Justice Foundation announced in a press release on Monday that over $23,000 in grant funds was awarded to two local nonprofits to expand civil legal services in Montana.
CASA of Lake and Sanders Counties received just over $16,000 to expand advocacy for teenagers without supportive households and youth involved in the juvenile justice system. According to the press release, this will help them interrupt cycles of harm and build stronger connections to their communities.
Safe Harbor also received a grant for $7,500 for its legal assistance program that provides legal aid to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
“When Montanans face violence or other life-altering legal crises, access to civil legal help can mean the difference between danger and safety, homelessness and housing, or crisis and stability,” Alissa Chambers, executive director of the Montana Justice Foundation, stated in the press release.
These grants aim to support nonprofits in providing civil legal aid for domestic violence and youth services. Along with tribal advocacy, mediation, law-related education and other programs to advance justice.
“Teenagers approaching adulthood without a supportive household face unique challenges,” Ann Marie McNeel, executive director of CASA of Lake and Sanders Counties, stated in the press release. “This funding will help our advocates reach more young people, interrupt cycles of harm and provide consistent support as they move toward adulthood.”
The Montana Justice Foundation is a 501(c)(3) grantmaking nonprofit that promotes equal access to justice through competitive grants. Funding for this organization comes from the Interest on Lawyer Trust Account program, court-ordered awards and donors.
According to the press release, grants for expanding civil legal services across Montana totaled $2.34 million this year, a record-breaking amount for the foundation and a significant increase over last year's $1.6 million.