Portfolio
Organization History & Mission
Hill’s Document Assistant (HDA) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit legal assistance organization located in the South West area of Fresno, CA, a community in need of free domestic violence services. HDA is the only non-profit legal assistance organization that provides free restraining order preparation and legal assistance for victims of domestic violence in Fresno, CA. Our office is operated 100% by women and women of color, with primarily women board members, who implement our legal services, and pursue a decrease in discrimination and violence towards women. We aim to spread the word of our mission “To lift and prevent hurting hearts of domestic violence.” Through fulfilling our mission we also have the ability to meet our five H.E.A.R.T objectives:
1. - Help our clients obtain a restraining order through legal document assistance for domestic violence prevention at no cost.
2. - Endow our clients with shelter placement.
3. - Afford referrals for various economic, psychological and medical needs.
4. - Render mentoring for at-risk youth of domestic violence.
5. - Transfer power in the community to campaign against domestic violence.
Our services are rare and unique in Fresno, CA. We are the only non profit legal document assistance organization that provides full-time and no cost legal document assistance, research and trial preparation for anyone in need of protection. We value placing our priorities in the public eye and supporting organization that share our views.
Domestic Violence Legal Services & SisterHood Program
We fulfill our mission of lifting hurting hearts of domestic violence by conducting client interviews, preparing domestic violence research, and assisting our clients in court free of charge Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm and on call through the weekend. In addition, HDA holds classes, implement SisterHood mentoring programs, attends community conferences, host booths and workshops advocating the restriction of violence within the home, and preparing legal documentation to protect victims from domestic violence. Our classes focus on self-image, and building self-esteem through open communication. HDA’s SisterHood program builds and maintain healthy self-esteem and confidence amongst our sisterhood participants through professional exposure, fashion shows and various community events.
Community Involvement
We are affiliated / members with organizations and programs that support our mission such as Soroptomist of Clovis, CA, CA Legal Document Assistants (CALDA), Bethel Temple COGIC, Fresno County Cal-Learn Dept., Women’s Studies Dept. of Fresno City College, Women’s Resource Center of CA State University of Fresno, Central La Familia, Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce, New American Media, and Central CA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.HDA also supports community social efforts by attending domestic violence and participating / moderating health and legal panels such as during our annual domestic violence workshop: “Restrain The Violence” Workshop. In addition to community conferences which address various social issues present in the community. These social issues range from health and wellness to public squalor and violence. Our organization approaches these issues by establishing the importance of community awareness and appreciation, as well as addressing the causes of domestic violence in an effort to prevent and stop it. We host booths and workshops, which allow us to distribute information about our services and programs, and gain clientele in need of our assistance.
Our organization endeavors to empower women to advocate for their rights. Their right to live in an environment free from ridicule, abhorrent language, trepidation due to the actions of a spouse or loved one, or abuse in any form it may take. Per their direction we assist them in defending their rights by preparing and filing restraining orders. This is our primary service. These orders are filed with the courts and with the sheriff’s department upon being granted. Per their request, case research/local case briefs are included for our clients. Our clients, 95% of which are women, are then prepared for court through mock interviews. We strive to increase their access to justice through pro-bono legal document assistance. We pursue multiple avenues of relief for our clients which encompass housing, child care, counseling, and resources directed toward meeting their specific needs. These enterprises are the basis of our mission and how we fulfill it.
Partners & Board Members
Our board members are dependable contributors. In 2010 Hill’s Document Assistant (HDA) Board & Advisory Members has given $12,900 in contributions towards our mission. Our objectives are achieved through partnerships that have been established with other organizations in our community. We are able to find housing for our clients forced onto the streets due to violence in the home by contacting and referring them to shelters in the community that meet their needs. Mothers have the ability to return to work or school with childcare assistance, and the knowledge that their children will be well cared for in their absence. Clients are referred to us through our partnership with Fresno County Cal-Learn Program, which focuses on assisting teen parents between 16-18 years old, achieve an education and gain the tools needed to obtain and keep a job, as well as prevent future pregnancies. Second Chance Ministries Four Square Church, Pastor Roy De Leon, spreads the word of our mission by enlightening prisoners at Kern County Prison through a DVD copy of our Restrain The Violence Workshop, Panel Session. Additional partners are Soroptomist of Clovis, CA, Bethel Temple COGIC, Central La Familia, Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce, New American Media, K-Jewel Radio, Central CA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Hill’s Document Assistant’s legal assistance services and Sisterhood Program benefits the general public and directly within the homes.
An opportunity to advance your mission would make our staff and board excited to serve even more. Thank you for considering our pro bro no legal services and mentoring programs to further your mission.
Sincerely,
Board Of Directors
Hill's Document Assistant
