NAPLES

Collier County Legal Aid Services is hosting their third annual 5K event to promote awareness of domestic violence.

The non-profit legal services organization provides free legal services to hundreds of domestic violence survivors in Collier County.

Running is one of the many ways they fundraise to do so.

Jeff Ahren, director of development for the nonprofit, said they help survivors get protection and custody orders, divorce, and come up with parenting plans and child support orders.

“We also have a pro bono program,” Ahren said. “There are cases that our lawyers cannot handle due to a conflict of interest or other reasons. We have private lawyers in the community who keep our clients coming back. “

Tina Nash, event planner, is a domestic violence survivor. She said she spent thousands of dollars on divorce and restraining orders against her ex-husband, so she knows the value of having free legal services.

Today, Nash sits on the Collier County Legal Aid Services Advisory Board.

“I can share my story and share what I’ve been through and some of the red flags, but legal aid can then take that person and help them get out of the situation, once they get over it. reports on it, and she does a lot of it for free, ”Nash said.

Nash said she was unaware of Collier County Legal Aid Services while she was going through her predicament.

But being able to help others during their tough times means the world to her, she said.

Nash said domestic violence doesn’t always start with something extreme.

It can start with someone getting you ready, testing your limits, and then getting to the point where it gets physical.

FOLLOWING:

For more information on Collier County Legal Aid Services, visit their website.

To watch the WINK News special on domestic violence, follow the link.

Resources

Charlotte County
Abuse and Rape Emergency Center
Telephone: 941-639-5499
Hotline: 941-627-6000
SMS: 941-449-8534
TTY: 941-627-6000
Website: carefl.org
Chat: ressourceconnect.com

Collier County
The shelter for abused women and children
Telephone: 239-775-3862
Direct line: 239-775-1101
TTY: 239-775-4265
Website: naplesshelter.org

DeSoto County
Safe Place and Rape Victim Support Center
Telephone: 941-365-0208
Direct line: 941-365-1976
TTY: 941-365-1976
Website: sparcc.net

Glades County
Advice and treatment in case of abuse
Telephone: 239-939-2553
Direct line: 239-939-3112
TTY: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com

Hendry County
Advice and treatment in case of abuse
Telephone: 239-939-2553
Direct line: 239-939-3112
TTY: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com

Lee County
Advice and treatment in case of abuse
Telephone: 239-939-2553
Direct line: 239-939-3112
TTY: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com

Below are mental health resources available to Southwest Floridians nationally and locally.

National Hotline for Suicide Prevention
1-800-273-8255
suicidepreventionlifeline.org

David Lawrence Center (Collier County)
(239) 455-8500
davidlawrencecenter.org

SalusCare (Lee County)
(239)275-4242
saluscareflorida.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness, Collier County
namicollier.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry Counties
namilee.org

The National Alliance for Caregiving offers a free manual
Circle of Care: A Guide for Mental Health Caregivers

Collier County Mental Health Court
ca.cjis20.org/home/collier

Lee County Mental Health Court
ca.cjis20.org/home/lee

Alliance of support for depression and bipolar
convio.net

Local Support Groups: Anxiety and Depression Association of America
adaa.org

US Department of Health and Human Services (Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Assistance)
hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/mental-health-parity

Local Resource for Veterans: Home Base SWFL
https://homebase.org/home-base-southwest-florida/