Sarah's Inn, an Oak Park-based agency devoted to freedom from domestic violence for battered women, has received a $5,000 grant from the Illinois Bar Foundation.

The funds will support a legal advocacy program that assists domestic violence victims in matters filed in Cook County's 4th Municipal District in Maywood.

Sarah's Inn staff members and volunteer lawyers provide information about victims' legal rights, counseling, obtaining orders of protection and other services that help individuals understand the justice system.

Founded in 1981 by the Oak Park People in Crisis Committee, Sarah's Inn last year served 16,865 people in 22 west suburban communities. Crisis intervention, information and referrals were provided to 4,525 callers on its 24-hour telephone line.

Legal advocates helped 617 women get orders of protection, and emergency financial assistance was given to 138 women and their families. Counseling in both English and Spanish took place in weekly group meetings.

Sarah's Inn also offers a Children and Teen Program that includes teen dating violence prevention, and an Abuser Intervention Program certified by the Illinois Protocol of Partner Abuse Intervention Programs.

All of the agency's clients are classified as being below the poverty level. The racial and ethnic composition is 48 percent Hispanic, 26 percent Caucasian and 22 percent African-American.

For more information, call executive director Pat Prinzevalle at (708) 386-3305.