Jessica Lastarza, owner and lead attorney at We Mediate CT, along with her daughter Ainsley Lastarza, are serving as co-captains of Team We Mediate & Ainsley for the Interval House Walk to End Domestic Violence on October 4, 2025. The annual event, which draws hundreds of participants across Connecticut, raises awareness and funds for domestic violence prevention services while supporting survivors through emergency shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy programs. The team has set a fundraising goal of $5,000 to support Interval House's vital services, with over $1,000 already secured weeks before the event.
Lastarza emphasized that domestic violence often complicates divorce and separation proceedings, creating additional challenges for families seeking stability and healing. As a family law mediator specializing in out-of-court solutions, she noted that walking in memory of Jennifer Farber Dulos serves as a powerful reminder of how awareness and action can transform lives. We Mediate CT specializes in collaborative divorce mediation and family law services throughout Connecticut, focusing on non-adversarial approaches that help clients avoid the emotional and financial toll of litigation. The firm's alignment with Interval House's mission to end domestic violence through education and prevention underscores the importance of community partnerships in addressing family violence.
Community members can support the effort by registering for the walk through the Interval House Event Page or making donations via the Team We Mediate Donation Page. The participation of a family law firm in domestic violence prevention efforts highlights the critical intersection between legal services and community safety initiatives. By emphasizing co-parenting plans that support long-term family well-being, We Mediate CT's approach complements Interval House's work in creating safer homes for children and parents. The walk represents not only a fundraising opportunity but also a public demonstration of commitment to ending domestic violence through collective action and professional collaboration.
This initiative matters because it bridges the gap between legal intervention and community-based prevention, addressing domestic violence from multiple angles. Family law professionals often witness firsthand how domestic violence impacts divorce and custody cases, making their involvement in prevention efforts particularly significant. The partnership demonstrates how specialized legal services can extend beyond individual cases to contribute to broader societal change. By participating in public awareness events like the walk, legal professionals help destigmatize discussions about domestic violence while promoting resources for survivors.
The fundraising component directly supports Interval House's comprehensive services, which include emergency shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy programs that are essential for survivors rebuilding their lives. The event's timing during Domestic Violence Awareness Month amplifies its impact, drawing attention to ongoing prevention needs. For the legal community, this collaboration represents a proactive approach to addressing root causes of family conflict that often manifest in court systems. The involvement of both a professional and her daughter as co-captains also models intergenerational commitment to social change, reinforcing that ending domestic violence requires sustained effort across all community sectors.
