Senators Larkin & Bonacic Announce Funding For Domestic Violence Services

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) and Senator John Bonacic (R-I-C, Mount Hope) today announced that a $75,000 state grant has been awarded to Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. The grant will support LSHV’s Ulster County office in its efforts to represent victims of domestic violence.

Located on Hurley Avenue in Kingston, the organization provides free civil legal services to lower income individuals and families in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties. It helps local residents resolve non-criminal but urgent legal problems.

"For more than 35 years, the dedicated attorneys at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley have been assisting people of low-income with high quality, free, civil legal services," said Senator Larkin. "Their work has helped many of our most vulnerable neighbors especially in cases involving homelessness, child neglect and domestic violence. This $75,000 grant will specifically help victims of domestic violence as they seek protection and safety within the legal system."

Senator Bonacic stated, "Victims of domestic violence are often in a situation without the means to obtain the necessary legal assistance they need. Legal Services of the Hudson Valley provides invaluable, quality free legal services to these individuals. I was pleased to work with Senator Larkin and secure this funding."

Barbara Finkelstein, Executive Director of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, stated, "I applaud Senators Larkin and Bonacic for their leadership in identifying the need for specialized legal services for victims of domestic violence who reside in Ulster County. This grant will permit Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to hire one full-time staff attorney to represent victims of domestic violence who could not otherwise afford to hire an attorney."