Cate and Ryan’s Run
Amount raised so far: $8,431.00
Cate Carbonaro and Ryan Wall are public defenders who specialize in representing survivors of trafficking and gender-based violence. Cate and Ryan are proud to run the New York City Half Marathon on March 20th, 2022, to support the clients they serve in The Legal Aid Society’s Exploitation Intervention Project (EIP).
EIP believes that trafficking prevention necessarily starts with economic, racial, and gender justice. In supporting Cate and Ryan, you are directly providing funds for EIP’s clients and Advisory Board members. EIP advocates for thousands of people, providing direct representation and comprehensive services to Legal Aid clients who have experienced trafficking and gender-based violence.
The Exploitation Intervention Project:
- Worked with dozens of trafficking survivors to vacate their criminal convictions and most recently worked on legislation that expands this work.
- Connected clients to necessary resources such as trauma counseling, safe housing, medical care, and immigration relief.
- Supported the AAPI community, specifically massage workers.
- Advocated for the LGBTQ community and worked with impacted partners in getting the Loitering for the Purpose of Prostitution, or the “walking while trans ban” repealed in New York State.
Where Your Money Goes:
The EIP Client Fund
Even before COVID-19, EIP clients lived on the margins. Some have low wage jobs and live paycheck to paycheck, and since the pandemic began, these jobs have all but evaporated. They fell behind in rent, struggled to feed themselves and many do not qualify for government measures such as unemployment or stimulus checks. For our undocumented clients the situation is even more dire.
During the pandemic EIP has been grateful to be able to provide our current and former clients with financial assistance to help with everything from diapers to medical bills. With coffers running dry, Cate and Ryan decided to run the NYC Half Marathon.
$10
Basic toiletries for a client in crisis
$20
Two days of food for a client in crisis
For a client without insurance
$100
One week of groceries
$200
New furniture for a recovering client's new apartment
$250
Winter clothes for a family of four
The Advisory Board
What I find meaningful about The Advisory Board is that we get to speak for survivors that can't speak for themselves and by being on the board we have an opportunity to make a difference." - S.A.
I joined because I wanted to be a part of the bigger picture and to help people to have some trust in the justice system - because I didn't. I get joy in voicing my opinion and knowing that my opinion is being heard. -A.R.
Comprised of survivor leaders and advocates, the Advisory Board collaborates with EIP staff to address strategic decisions about EIP’s post-conviction representation, engagement with outside organizations, and policy efforts. AB Members are best equipped to guide EIP’s response to clients while radically improving and altering the traditional structure of a legal service project. Funds raised from Cate and Ryan's run will go toward:
- Curriculum to enrich members' professional and personal development.
- Travel fund which would allow members to travel to anti-trafficking conferences.
- Stipends to support members educational and employment goals.
