MVA Awarded for Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project

The Mecklenburg County Bar (MCB) awarded Moore & Van Allen’s Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project with the Outstanding Collaborative Project recognition during the first annual awards for Extraordinary Pro Bono Service on January 31 at Charlotte City Club.

Moore & Van Allen’s Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project works in collaboration with Safe Alliance’s Legal Representation Project (LRP), and empowers victims of domestic violence who could not otherwise afford an attorney to advocate for their rights.  One of the Project’s recent tangible outputs is the Sally Van Allen apartment at Safe Alliance’s Clyde and Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter.  The one bedroom apartment, funded and furnished by the Firm, its attorneys and staff, provides residents with a safe, nurturing environment, a kitchen, private bathroom and sleeping space for five.  The Domestic Violence Shelter itself offers 80 beds and triage services as well as long term care to women and children escaping abusive living situations and relationships.

In 2012, the Project donated more than 350 pro bono hours directly related to Safe Alliance matters and received the LRP’s Commitment to Justice Award for continued dedication and commitment to the program and clients served.

The MCB specified the Outstanding Collaborative Pro Bono Project award was established to recognize an association of MCB members that has contributed an extraordinary amount of pro bono services; provided an extraordinary impact for justice; developed particularly innovative or enduring projects or programs; and/or demonstrated a dramatic improvement in its pro bono services to indigents, children and/or nonprofit agencies that serve indigents or children.

The Firm is coordinating dates on which staff and attorneys can prepare and serve lunch at the Domestic Violence Shelter.  Anyone interested in volunteering at the Shelter can find details on opportunities and contact information here.