The legal agency, which serves Mercer, Crawford, Venango, McKean, Warren and Forest counties, won a $350,000 grant in November. Each county received approximately $70,000.

The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program, or "Blossom Project" will enable the Northwestern lawyers to help victims of domestic violence, referred by AW/ARE, with a wide range of legal services, including protection from abuse orders, custody, divorce, welfare, Social Security and unemployment compensation.

"This is a special project that we have been unable to pursue in regular funding streams," said Barbara Mountjoy, a Meadville lawyer and Blossom Project coordinator.

Generally, Northwestern lawyers represent low income plaintiffs in protection from abuse order cases, bankruptcies, and wills for those who are indigent or terminally ill and housing problems such as landlord/tenant disputes. The lawyers also can provide basic guidance with divorce and custody clinics.

"We were limited primarily to the protection from abuse order when it came to victims of domestic violence," said Ms. Mountjoy. "We would go to the court with the person, leave them at the court with a piece of paper (the PFA) in their hand and say 'Well, good luck.' That wasn't particularly effective."

The Blossom Project will offer legal representation to clients referred by AW/ARE in lengthy cases such as divorce proceedings when the victims of violence do not have the financial resources to hire an attorney on their own.

David Remington, an Erie lawyer who was hired in February through the grant, will work on the program out of Northwestern Legal Services' local office in Farrell. AW/ARE Legal Advocacy Case Manager Margie Lytle will administer the program from her office at the Mercer County Courthouse.

"Through the Blossom Project we hope to provide a holistic legal approach to the problems faced by victims of domestic violence ... Now, we have the opportunity to address legal issues affecting the victim on many levels," Remington said.

Potential clients in Mercer County will be referred to Project Blossom by AW/ARE staff. The legal advocate will also provide general information and seminars for AW/ARE clients.

Upcoming seminars include a divorce clinic class this evening at AW/ARE's office on state Route 58 in Coolspring Township and an entitlement to government benefits seminar on May 2.

One of the goals of the program is to let victims of domestic violence know they have options, which Ms. Lytle said can "help a victim build the confidence and strength to begin breaking ties with the abuser."

Income and asset eligibility has been set at 125 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines, but it is important to keep in mind that the income and assets of the abuser are not included in this calculation.

Legal advice and brief service will be offered to all of the victims at AW/ARE, regardless of their financial resources.