The Lazarus Project’s Community Impact:

The Lazarus Project’s Community Impact:

> Nonjudgemental, Scripturally-Based Support To Christian Victims & Survivors Of Family Violence

The Lazarus Project’s hotline currently receives 5-7 calls per week from Christian victims and survivors in Santa Clara County. Clients are often referred by pastors, friends, teachers, counselors, and schools –and many self-refer after hearing by word-of-mouth about The Lazarus Project.

Since its inception, The Lazarus Project has served 35 clients, including those who were currently being victimized (both female and male); survivors struggling with the long-term effects of abuse; and concerned co-workers or family members. While the number of unduplicated clients in itself is not impressive, what the total does not reflect is the fact that many of those served have been clients for several years, who have required enormous investments of time and support (particularly when court cases have been involved); in such cases, staff time per client is in hundreds of hours.

As of September 2003, The Lazarus Project has provided over 631 units of service, all free of charge.

> Information and Referrals to Community Resources

The Lazarus Project has made referrals to:

local domestic violence agencies (Next Door, AACI, Community Solutions, Support Network for Battered Women, Family Violence Center);

county social service agencies (for financial assistance, emergency food, medical coverage, mental health services, and job training);

legal advocate programs (Legal Aid, Bay Area Legal Services, Family Court Law Facilitator, American

Bar Association); and

Christian programs (LifeSkills program for Christian victims and abusers, SARAH program for incest

survivors, House of Grace residential substance abuse program, recovery and divorce groups of local churches).

> Court Accompaniment by a Christian Advocate Trained in Family Violence Issues

Since its founding, The Lazarus Project has served Christian victims and survivors in criminal court, as well as in family court proceedings. Lazarus Project staff has aided in the preparation of court trials, prosecution of abusers, modifications of family support and custody agreements, orders of protection, and in aggressively advocating for accountability on the part of abusers who violate the terms of their probation.

> Training to the Community on the Unique Needs of Christians who have Experienced Abuse

Since the official launch of The Lazarus Project in 2000, The Lazarus Project has presented to approximately 150 college students on how religious views affect one’s experience of abuse, as well as their healing afterward. In addition, The Lazarus Project has presented twice at the Faith & Family Violence workshops as part of a state-certified 40-hour training for domestic violence advocates.

Training To Churches And Pastoral Staff Reconciling The Spiritual And Practical Issues When Domestic

Violence Occurs In Their Congregations

--The Lazarus Project’s staff was involved in the planning, promotion, and implementation of the South County Interfaith Family Violence Breakfast in May of 2002, reaching 12 key leaders in the Christian community in Gilroy and Morgan Hill.

--The Lazarus Project conducted a training in June of 2002 for about 30 lay counselors at South Valley Community Church in Gilroy on domestic violence and how Christians can come alongside those within the fold who are struggling with issues of abuse.

--The Lazarus Project conducted a training in February of 2003 for roughly 125 pastors and lay leaders for the Bay Area Baptist District Association on scriptural instruction for a congregational response to incidents of abuse within the church community.