Stand Up For Change Scholarship Fund

Organization: CASA Pinellas in partnership with Pinellas Community Foundation

Geographic Scope: Tampa Bay Area

Focus Areas:

• Scholarships for domestic violence survivors pursuing careers in Criminal Justice
• Scholarships for people of color pursuing careers in Criminal Justice

Purpose: The fund aims to improve the experience of domestic violence survivors and people of color in the criminal justice system and create a system more reflective of the individuals it serves. CASA has found that domestic violence survivors often experience re-victimization in the criminal justice system due to lack of understanding of complex cases by law enforcement, judges, and attorneys. People of color encounter systemic and unconscious biases that result in longer sentences and five times the incarceration rate of white Americans.

Eligibility:

• Domestic violence survivors
• People of color
• Residents of Tampa Bay Area
• Pursuing careers in Criminal Justice

Fund History: The fund was initiated in June 2020 with an initial $12,500 match by CASA Board Member Nicholas McDevitt, and another $12,500 from Duggan Cooley and David Martinez-Cooley.

Contact Information:

• Phone: (727) 895-4912
• Email: info@casapinellas.org
• Address: 1011 First Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL (second floor)
• Contribution Link: https://pinellascf.org/standupforchange