FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2009
Texas Bar Foundation Supports Safe Haven Program
Laredo, TX - To assist in the continuation of the Safe Haven program the Texas Bar Foundation made a presentation to the Laredo-Webb County Safe Haven Program today. Patricia Alvarez, former Trustee of the Texas Bar Foundation, joined by Texas Bar Foundation fellows Judge Elma Salinas Ender, Judge Joe Lopez, District Attorney Chilo Alaniz and attorney Donato Ramos made a check presentation in the amount of $15,000 to TMC and members of the Safe Haven Special Advisory Board to assist in the continuation of the Safe Haven program here in Webb County. The grant money awarded by the Texas Bar Foundation will be used to procure educational videos and provide workshops that help individuals cope with any fear or confusion that comes with navigating the legal system when dealing with domestic violence and other family issues.
Since 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $9 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nations largest charitably funded bar foundation. For more than four decades, the Texas Bar Foundation has assisted organizations to educate the public about their rights and responsibilities under the law; provide legal advice to the poor; and help those who turn to the legal system for protection. The Texas Bar Foundation and its members continue to be committed to its mission, Advancing Justice in Texas…by providing opportunities to support the rule of law in Texas.
Ms. Alvarez expressed the Texas Bar Foundation’s support for Safe Haven, which she said offers children and families supportive programs for healing and rebuilding the strong bonds of a family. “The program provides a positive long term effect on the children of our community so that they may someday become healthy, responsible adults”.
“With tremendous excitement, we commit to delivering the highest quality services possible, in partnership with the Texas Bar Foundation, and all the judiciary. These funds will ensure the continuation and the success of the Laredo-Webb County Safe Haven program”, stated Mary Capello – TMC CEO.
Background
The purpose of the Laredo-Webb County Safe Haven is to assist and support the Judicial System in Webb County, Texas with an environment that provides a child with the opportunity for a safe exchange and/or supervised visitations with his/her parents when the child – or one of the parents -- is subject to situations involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, substance abuse, mental health problems, unsuitable visitation standards, and/or uncooperative parent. The Safe Haven Program also serves as the stage for a safe exchange of children from one parent to the other when a parent’s previous actions demonstrated that both parents cannot meet safely to transfer the custody of the child.
The Laredo-Webb County Safe Haven works in conjunction with TMC (formally the Texas Migrant Council) and the Webb County Judicial System to strengthen the administration of justice by providing a conduit for a safe and supervised environment for children who are subject to court proceedings.
For more information contact Lorena Rodriguez, Interim Director at (956) 523-0962.
Photo (L – R) Bottom: Lorena Rodriguez, Safe Haven Director; Lupita Quintanilla, Safe Haven Special Advisory Board; Judge Elma Salinas Ender, Safe Haven Special Advisory Board Co-Chair; Judge Oscar Hale, Safe Haven Special Advisory Board Co-Chair; Javier Santos, Trustee – Ferndo Salinas Charitable Trust; District Attorney Isidro Alaniz, Safe Haven Special Advisory Board; Patricia Alvarez, Board Member - Texas Bar Foundation; Mary Capello, CEO – TMC. Top: Jerald Sparenberg, CFO – TMC; Judge Oscar Martinez, Safe Haven Special Advisory Board; Teresa Hunter, County Attorney’s Office; Judge Oscar Liendo, Safe Haven Special Advisory Board; Sheriff Martin Cuellar, Safe Haven Special Advisory Board; Miguel Conchas, Safe Haven Special Advisory Board.
Also, at today’s Safe Haven Board Meeting Javier Santos, Trustee of the Fernando Salinas Charitable Trust announced that the Trust would be matching the funds
that were awarded by the Texas Bar Foundation making the total donation $30,000 to the program.
