When did you open your business in Maplewood?
Jane Doe Advocacy Center officially opened on August 27, 2012.
What is your business?
Jane Doe Advocacy Center is a legal service center for those impacted by sexual violence. We provide long-term legal services that allow survivors to reach a point of safety and recovery.
How many employees do you have?
Jane Doe only has one employee right now. The organization is actively run by interns and volunteers, including an active board of directors.
What makes your business different than others in the same industry or profession?
Jane Doe is the only organization that focuses on providing long-term legal services to survivors of sexual violence regardless of demographic factors such as age, sex/gender, income level, the type of legal assistance needed, and whether an incident classifies as “domestic” violence. Because we do not have the stipulations of federal grant funding, our services are available to anyone and everyone with questions about sexual violence and the law.
Why did you choose Maplewood to open your business?
We chose to open our office in Maplewood for several reasons. There was a convenient space available, the location is easy to access from all areas in and around St. Louis, and the price was right. I couldn’t be happier with the decision. The local business community is tight-knit and everyone from residents to employees carry a sense of pride in the Maplewood area. It’s a joy coming to work every day.
What is the most exciting thing happening right now with your business?
There is always something going on at Jane Doe! Right now we are revving up for our first annual 5K Walk/Run, called Race for Jane, where participants will run in honor of a survivor of sexual violence by attaching a card with the story of a “Jane Doe” or “John Doe” to their race bib. We are also actively fundraising to launch our Child Advocacy Program which will allow us to formalize our legal services for children.
How can the community get involved with your organization?
We love when the community wants to get involved with Jane Doe! Business owners and representatives can help with fundraising by sponsoring our events or holding fundraising events that will promote their businesses while benefitting Jane Doe. Community members can apply for our volunteer and internship programs to get involved with various aspects of the organization.
As a non-profit organization, where do you get your funding?
Jane Doe is funded purely through private donors, fundraisers, and community sponsors. We opt for these avenues of support because it allows us to offer a wide range of services to anyone who needs help rather than limiting our scope of service or clientele. As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all contributions are 100% tax deductible.
How can we learn more about your organization?
You can learn more about Jane Doe’s services, upcoming events, and much more by visiting our website at www.JaneDoeAdvocacy.org.