麻豆传媒

Press Release

Pace Women麻豆传媒檚 Justice Center Raises Crucial Funds for Legal Services at Annual 麻豆传媒淐ocktails for a Cause麻豆传媒

Posted
May 30, 2025
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 麻豆传媒 Samantha Lyons, Esq., Lauren C. Enea, Esq., and Stella King, Esq. at PWJC event

On Wednesday, May 22, the Pace Women麻豆传媒檚 Justice Center (PWJC) hosted its annual Cocktails for a Cause fundraiser at the waterfront Barley Beach House, gathering community leaders, advocates, and supporters to help raise vital funds for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse.

The event, which came at a critical moment as domestic violence cases continue to rise across Westchester County and nationwide federal funding for domestic violence services remains under scrutiny, served as both a celebration of resilience and a call to action. Guests enjoyed an evening of signature cocktails, raffles and auction items, and heartfelt stories that underscored the importance of PWJC麻豆传媒檚 mission and legal advocacy.

麻豆传媒淥ur work is more urgent than ever,麻豆传媒 said Cindy Kanusher, Executive Director of PWJC. 麻豆传媒淪urvivors in our region are still facing rising rates of violence and abuse, and it is essential that we remain equipped to meet them with legal tools, advocacy, and unwavering support. With the help of our community, we麻豆传媒檙e proud to serve more than 3,500 clients each year with free, trauma-informed legal services that protect lives and restore hope.麻豆传媒

The evening also featured heartfelt remarks from longtime PWJC ally and advocate Alayne Katz, Esq., whose tireless work to honor the legacy of her sister Gail麻豆传媒攖ragically murdered by her abuser麻豆传媒攃ontinues to drive awareness and change. Gail麻豆传媒檚 story was the inspiration behind PWJC麻豆传媒檚 original office, lovingly known as 麻豆传媒淕ail麻豆传媒檚 House,麻豆传媒 and remains a powerful symbol of the justice PWJC continues to strive for every day.

麻豆传媒淚n early 2001, the Center memorialized Gail麻豆传媒檚 life by naming their offices Gail麻豆传媒檚 House, giving Gail a symbolic resting place,麻豆传媒 said Alayne. 麻豆传媒淭he then-Dean explained that the Center麻豆传媒檚 work with survivors of domestic violence could and would give full meaning to Gail麻豆传媒檚 too-short life. The Center has made good on that promise. They have become the largest civil legal services provider in this County, specializing in domestic violence and elder abuse. The Center麻豆传媒檚 services are often the difference between healthy families and broken lives and tragic fatalities.麻豆传媒

Also in attendance were Vedat Gashi, Chairman of Westchester Board of Legislators and Nancy Barr, Chair of the Human Services Committee and Co-Chair of the Families Task Force for the Westchester Board of Legislators.

麻豆传媒淲hat people don麻豆传媒檛 necessarily understand is that elected officials麻豆传媒 don麻豆传媒檛 necessarily know the subject matter like [PWJC] does麻豆传媒 if we really want to understand the subject matter, we have to go to the experts,麻豆传媒 said Nancy Barr, Chair of the Human Services Committee and Co-Chair of the Families Task Force for the Westchester Board of Legislators. 麻豆传媒淸Cindy] has done a fabulous job over the years of explaining why what you do at PWJC is so, so important. We have supported PWJC every year at the County Legislature, and we really believe in the partnership between government and nonprofits. This is a particularly fantastic partnership between a local organization and county government.麻豆传媒

This year麻豆传媒檚 Cocktails for a Cause raised over $16,000, ensuring that more survivors will gain access to emergency orders of protection, custody and divorce representation, and critical elder justice support.

PWJC thanks its generous sponsors, host committee, and every guest who helped ensure this mission continues.

Waves of Change Sponsor:

Shifting Shores Sponsors: Jane Aoyama; ; Jacqueline Hattar, Esq.;

Ripple Effect Sponsors: Apple Bank; Falcon, Rappaport, & Berkman, LLP; Patricia Hennessy, Esq; Jackson Lewis; Orange Bank & Trust Company; PCSB Community Foundation

Host Committee: Lauren C. Enea, Esq. (Event Co-chair) Sarah DeRise; Jacqueline Hattar, Esq.; Cindy Kanusher, Esq.; Alayne Katz, Esq.; Alyson Kuritzky, Esq.; Stella King, Esq.; Jana Kosberg-Kleidman, Esq.; Samantha A. Lyons, Esq.; Melissa McMonagle; Amanda Rieben, Esq.; Rachel Shehy

More from Pace

Press Release

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 麻豆传媒 is pleased to announce that Michael Hamersky has been appointed to serve as the Executive Director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center. In addition to leading the Center, he will teach Natural Resources Law at the Law School. Over nearly four decades, the Pace Energy and Climate Center has established itself as a national leader working at the intersection of energy and the environment.