Sacramento Nonprofit WEAVE Elects Neil Forester as Chairperson of its Board of Directors
Last month, FPS marked a bit of a milestone when managing shareholder Neil M. E. Forester assumed the position of Board Chairperson for WEAVE Inc., the primary provider of crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County.
Neil joined the Board of Directors in 2011, having been involved with the agency since 2006, when he started volunteering with the Facilities Committee during construction of a new safehouse. As Chairperson and President, Neil provides leadership to the 20-member board, with responsibility to inform WEAVE’s strategic decisions, ensure financial responsibility and accountability, and to lead the organization in realizing its mission.
Neil will continue to provide hands on leadership to the agency’s comprehensive legal services program, as well. In 2014 he received a “Hero of Human Services Award,” in large part for his role in helping to launch WEAVE Legal.
Last October, Neil hosted WEAVE’s CEO Beth Hassett for a special conversation on SPLIT DECISIONS talk radio show, in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. An advocate of pro bono service, Neil reflected on the show:
“There is a real hesitance in the family law community with domestic violence issues, because they don’t just present as potential danger or risks to the client, but also to the attorneys that represent those clients. I often see colleagues out there that just will not take domestic violence cases, which is really tragic, and I think needs to be rethought – because our job as counselors is to help clients, and these survivors are most in need of our help.”
The informative conversation with Beth can be replayed from the talk show archives or on Facebook Live.
Established in 1978, WEAVE provides crisis intervention services to women, men and children in Sacramento County who have experienced domestic violence or have been sexually assaulted or sex trafficked. Attorneys and community advocates can help the agency in myriad ways, including through participation in the annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser. FPS attorneys and staff will once again field and support a team of walkers on May 6th at the Capitol Mall event. We welcome contributions of any level to help FPS meet a $5,000 team fundraising goal. Learn more at www.weavewalkamile.org/teamfamilylaw.
