Ascend Justice

Ascend Justice Ascend Justice is a nonprofit organization located in Chicago, IL.

Our mission is to empower individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence or the child welfare system—we strive to help people achieve safety and stability through holistic legal advocacy and system reform. Our mission is to empower individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence or the child welfare system to achieve safety and stability through holistic legal advocacy and system reform. We are working toward strong communities where people have the power to navigate fair systems and overcome violence. Learn more about the important work we do by visiting our website and support the work we do by making a donation today!

The Start Anew Clinic was a success again this year! Together with lots of other organizations, we reached around 40 sur...
09/22/2026

The Start Anew Clinic was a success again this year! Together with lots of other organizations, we reached around 40 survivors in a single day. We are very proud to be part of this amazing community that comes together and shows up for survivors. Learn more about the Start Anew Clinics here: https://www.startanew.com/

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!We proudly celebrate our Hispanic and Latin American clients, staff, friends, fam...
09/15/2026

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!

We proudly celebrate our Hispanic and Latin American clients, staff, friends, family, and community. This month, we reiterate our commitment to fighting for the equal treatment and protection under the law for all people, especially now, when so many Hispanic and Latin American people face increasing racial profiling and unfair treatment in our justice system.


ACLU of Illinois has two new guides out to help parents and relatives navigate the KIND Act, which was signed into law i...
09/14/2026

ACLU of Illinois has two new guides out to help parents and relatives navigate the KIND Act, which was signed into law in 2025 and instructs the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to adopt a kin-first approach when placing children in care.

The parents' guide explains the requirements for relative caregivers, including information about how to talk to family members about becoming caregivers: https://www.aclu-il.org/publications/kin-first-a-parents-guide-to-relative-involvement-in-the-foster-care-system/.

The caregivers' guide to navigating criminal records helps relatives with criminal records understand how convictions are considered by DCFS and how to gather supportive materials: https://www.aclu-il.org/publications/navigating-criminal-records-in-the-certified-relative-caregiver-process/

Do you like trivia and want to help survivors of gender-based violence? Join us for Trivia Night on November 5! The Asce...
09/10/2026

Do you like trivia and want to help survivors of gender-based violence? Join us for Trivia Night on November 5!

The Ascend Justice Young Professionals Board’s annual fundraiser is a great way to unwind with friends while helping us fund high-quality legal and holistic support for survivors in our community. Whether you bring a team of 6 or sign up solo and get paired with a team, come help us raise money for a great cause and go head-to-head against your peers in a battle of wits, memory, and luck. Team slots sell out fast, so don’t wait - register today! https://secure.qgiv.com/for/20trnig/event/trivianight2026/

Ascend Justice will be participating in the Start Anew Clinic again this year! Join us September 18 at the UIC School of...
09/08/2026

Ascend Justice will be participating in the Start Anew Clinic again this year! Join us September 18 at the UIC School of Law (300 S State St) for a day-long clinic for survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. The clinic connects survivors to free job services and financial programming, including free professional workwear. Learn more, register, and join us: https://www.startanew.com/clinic/chicago.html

Our offices are closed today, September 7, for Labor Day.We will be here to assist you tomorrow (Tuesday, September 8) s...
09/07/2026

Our offices are closed today, September 7, for Labor Day.

We will be here to assist you tomorrow (Tuesday, September 8) starting at 8:30am.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please call the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877.863.6338.

09/03/2026

Meet the presenters of the 2026 Pro Bono Network Training Conference!

On October 1, attorneys and advocates from PBN’s partner legal aid organizations will lead a full day of training designed to help attorneys build the knowledge and confidence to take on meaningful pro bono work.

This year’s presenters represent Ascend Justice, Center for Disability and Elder Law , Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Legal Aid Chicago, Legal Council for Health Justice, Prairie State Legal Services, Sarah's Inn, and The Resurrection Project.

Throughout PBNTC, attendees will learn directly from experienced legal aid professionals across a range of practice areas, and explore concrete ways they can put their legal skills to work through pro bono service.

We’re excited for attendees to learn from this year’s incredible group of presenters:

Rita Hirami
Sarah Hess
Rebekah Azar Rashidfarokhi
Olivia Harrison
Naeem Nulwala
Lauren Schroeder
Kimberly Thielbar
Kaitlynn Milvert
Julie Reiter Pellerite
Franklin Brito
Angelica Gonzales-Lopez
Emma Melton
Milo Vieland

Pro Bono Network Training Conference
Thursday, October 1 | Downtown Chicago
Free | CLE credit | pbnetwork.org/pbntc

Did you know that Ascend Justice helped create and helps administer the Illinois Domestic Violence Co-Location Program (...
09/02/2026

Did you know that Ascend Justice helped create and helps administer the Illinois Domestic Violence Co-Location Program (DVCLP)? The DVCLP is a partnership between the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and domestic violence agencies across the state. It places domestic violence advocates directly in DCFS offices to build the systemic capacity of child welfare workers to more effectively meet the needs of families experiencing domestic violence so that families experiencing domestic violence have access to coordinated, trauma-informed support.

As part of their ongoing work with the DVCLP, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence recently hosted two trainings facilitated by Futures Without Violence in both Chicago and Springfield. Over 100 participants from DCFS, the domestic violence community, and other stakeholders attended across the two sites. The training focused on how to "create stronger pathways to healing for survivors and children and pathways to accountability for people who use violence." Rather than focusing solely on the risk and impact of domestic violence, the trainings highlighted five protective factors that expand options for helping families in crisis and promote healing for survivors: "Resilience and a growth mindset, Social connections, Nurturing parent-child interactions, Safer and more stable conditions, and Social and emotional abilities."

The co-located advocates who work in DCFS offices help families strengthen these protective factors by working directly with adult and child survivors of domestic violence, as well as the parent using coercive control and violence, and linking families to services and concrete supports. Stay tuned for our DVCLP impact report highlighting our work over the past year - coming soon!

We love to see survivors taking back their own power and building safe, secure, happy lives for themselves.
08/25/2026

We love to see survivors taking back their own power and building safe, secure, happy lives for themselves.

Address

177 N State St, Ste 500
Chicago, IL
60601

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13129715932

Website

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