Lavirsa Smith

P.O. Box 3072 Lumberton NC 28359

(910)370-2518

Lks012@bravemail.uncp.edu

Dear Senator Richard Burr,

My name is Lavirsa Smith and I am a student at The University of North Carolina at

Pembroke. I am enrolled in a field seminar class and I am currently completing an
internship that requires an advocacy project.

The oppressed group I am advocating for is the women that are victims of domestic
violence. As we all should know, life after abuse (whether mentally, physically, or
verbally) can be quite difficult. Relocating and safety are two of the main concerns for
domestic violence victims as they are difficult to obtain.

My goal is to bring programs to Robeson County to help victims of domestic violence

have more options for shelter and a longer stay. As it currently stands, the shelter for
domestic violence victims allow thirty days of housing for victims and some need longer.
Another goal is to have another location for a shelter as the shelter that is currently
available fill up fast, which forces other victims to be turned away because there is no
room for them.

With your help, I would like to advocate for more funding for programs to be
implemented more strongly in Robeson County; to help the victims reintegrate back
into life with safety and the proper and necessary funding to promote a stress-free and
productive life.

Warm regards,
Lavirsa Smith