About Us
Over 40 Years of Empowering Survivors
Philosophy
Founded in 1978, Life Span provides comprehensive services for survivors and children, enabling them to live without violence, build upon their strengths and become self-sufficient.
By defining domestic violence as a crime as well as a social problem, Life Span is committed to providing victims of abuse a range of options, including legal services, advocacy and counseling. Life Span’s approach to ending domestic and sexual violence is a nationally recognized model that provides safety, empowerment and a lasting solution.
To affect systemic change, Life Span provides education and technical assistance to public and private service providers to ensure responsive and appropriate treatment and delivery of public services to victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Life Span is also committed to reducing community acceptance and tolerance of abuse and increasing community awareness of domestic and sexual violence.
Our Mission
Life Span empowers survivors of domestic and sexual violence to demand safety as a human right through client-centered services and leads social change through accountability, community engagement, and systemic advocacy.
Our Vision
Life Span works with survivors to build a society free of domestic and sexual violence.
Our Work
At Life Span, our unique service delivery design ensures that our clients reach their goals for legal services 87% of the time. Compare this to general legal services at Chicago’s Domestic Violence Court, where only 17% of victims follow through with their cases until the end. When victims are served by attorneys and advocates that speak their language and understand their culture, they are more likely to survive the hostile court system. When victims seeking legal relief are supported by counselors who understand domestic violence and what it takes to survive, the victim’s ability to persevere and reach their goals increases dramatically – from 17% to 87%.
The U.S. Department of Justice has termed Life Span’s programs a “promising practice,” and we have provided training across the country on our service delivery model. Our comprehensive service design affords clients the best opportunity to achieve safety and freedom from violence.
We have built a national reputation for excellence and innovation in program development and service delivery. Our legal staff works together with counselors in the same agency to provide a cohesive response to the violence that permeates the lives of our clients and their children. Together with the voice of the survivor, we work to bring justice to families affected by domestic and sexual violence.
DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE END HERE