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Independence, MO —
Hope House has received a $500,000, three-year grant for its civil legal program, providing aid women who need to go court for issues such as orders for protection and working out custody of children.
“With our clients, we are often talking about life and death, and that’s why this grant is so important to us,” Hope House CEO Mary Anne Metheny said Wednesday.
With its shelters in Independence and Lee’s Summit, Hope House serves about 10,000 women and their children annually – families affected by domestic violence – about 450 of whom also get civil legal services. That can include going to court for orders of protection, divorce or separation, child support and custody issues.
“The goal is simple: Victims will receive relief in civil legal matters,” said Mary Weir, an attorney in Hope House’s civil legal program.
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Kansas City, was on hand to present a symbolic check. He took a moment to acknowledge former Independence Mayor Barbara Potts, who was on hand and who led the initiative to found Hope House in 1983.
Cleaver also is a Methodist pastor, and he said he’s often counseled women dealing with violence in their homes. Often they are discouraged from reaching out for help because they are frightened or intimidated at the idea of struggling through the courts. At some point, he said, a woman finally says – maybe under her breath, maybe only her herself – that’s the last straw.
“This is the headquarters of those who have said, ‘last straw,’” he said.
Going to court makes a difference, Weir said.
“The order of protection is an important first step,” she said, leading to the process of working out custody and other issues. But it’s also vital that women have good help from a lawyer.
“You go in there and lose, you probably go home,” she said.
Cleaver helped secure the grant.
“Government can’t do everything, and it shouldn’t do everything,” he said. “But it can do some things.”
The Hope House Hot Line is at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or visit the website at www.hopehouse.net.
Hope House has received a $500,000, three-year grant for its civil legal program, providing aid women who need to go court for issues such as orders for protection and working out custody of children.
“With our clients, we are often talking about life and death, and that’s why this grant is so important to us,” Hope House CEO Mary Anne Metheny said Wednesday.
With its shelters in Independence and Lee’s Summit, Hope House serves about 10,000 women and their children annually – families affected by domestic violence – about 450 of whom also get civil legal services. That can include going to court for orders of protection, divorce or separation, child support and custody issues.
“The goal is simple: Victims will receive relief in civil legal matters,” said Mary Weir, an attorney in Hope House’s civil legal program.
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Kansas City, was on hand to present a symbolic check. He took a moment to acknowledge former Independence Mayor Barbara Potts, who was on hand and who led the initiative to found Hope House in 1983.
Cleaver also is a Methodist pastor, and he said he’s often counseled women dealing with violence in their homes. Often they are discouraged from reaching out for help because they are frightened or intimidated at the idea of struggling through the courts. At some point, he said, a woman finally says – maybe under her breath, maybe only her herself – that’s the last straw.
“This is the headquarters of those who have said, ‘last straw,’” he said.
Going to court makes a difference, Weir said.
“The order of protection is an important first step,” she said, leading to the process of working out custody and other issues. But it’s also vital that women have good help from a lawyer.
“You go in there and lose, you probably go home,” she said.
Cleaver helped secure the grant.
“Government can’t do everything, and it shouldn’t do everything,” he said. “But it can do some things.”
The Hope House Hot Line is at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or visit the website at www.hopehouse.net.
