Stronger Advocacy, Together: CLC × Sanctuary for Families Retreat
Last week, The Children’s Law Center partnered with Sanctuary for Families to host a joint retreat focused on strengthening how we show up for families in family court. Through a guided conversation, both organizations reflected on where our work overlaps, where it can feel in tension, and how we can better navigate those moments in practice.
At the center of the discussion was the role of the Attorney for the Child and the real challenges that come with balancing a child’s voice and their safety, especially in cases involving domestic violence. These are not easy lines to draw, and the conversation made space for honest reflection on what that responsibility looks like day to day. In the pursuit of building bridges, CLC will strive to continue events such as this one.
Exploring Tough Issues Together
We also explored how domestic violence shapes custody proceedings and what it means to advocate in a way that is both legally sound and deeply informed by the realities families are facing. Bringing together different perspectives allowed for a more complete picture of the system, and how it can better serve those within it.
What stood out most was the value of being in the same room and having these conversations openly. By asking hard questions and listening across roles and organizations, we move closer to a more aligned, thoughtful approach to advocacy.
We are grateful to Sanctuary for Families for partnering with us and to everyone who contributed to such a meaningful discussion. Opportunities like this remind us that stronger collaboration leads to stronger outcomes for the children and families we serve.
