The Illinois Bar Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce a $5,000 grant to The Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria, one of 32 grants awarded this year totaling $304,965. The Center for the Prevention of Abuse is the only agency in the state of Illinois to provide combined services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse. The Center provides a range of comprehensive programming which includes court advocacy, emergency shelter and transitional housing, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, advocacy, therapy, education and other support services. The $5,000 grant was made to support the salary of a part time court advocate at the Tazewell County Courthouse. The Court Advocacy program assists clients seeking legal recourse under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act by petitioning the court for an Order of Protection. Court advocates provide support and information to victims, assist in preparing petitions for Orders of Protection, accompany victims to hearings and advocate on their behalf, and provide support throughout the court process. Last fiscal year, the Center assisted more than 2,100 individuals to navigate the court system. As the charitable affiliate of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Foundation's mission is to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity. This past year, through the support of ISBA members, IBF distributed more than $425,000 to support these efforts.