| Access to Justice Kicks Off Towards $375,000 Goal |
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Since 1989, the Access to Justice Campaign has raised more than $2.5 million for legal services to the low-income population from members of the Mecklenburg County Bar. The joint campaign with Legal Aid of North Carolina is one of our major sources of revenue for our programs. The 2009-2010 Campaign kicked off on November 2nd, raising more than $163,000 of our $375,000 goal. This year’s campaign is critical as LSSP struggles to meet our budget to sustain our services. Donate here to the 2009-2010 Access to Justice Campaign. You contributions help us help clients meet their basic human needs. A $1,000 contribution pays one of our staff attorneys for a full 40 hour work week A $500 contribution helps a family facing foreclosure remain in their home A $250 contribution provides help to obtain a protective order for a mother experiencing domestic violence A $100 contribution secures health care through Medicaid for a disabled child. |
| Thank You to Our 2009 Wills Clinic Volunteers |
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Bank of America Paul DeKoster, Ethel Foster, Carrie Fowler, Pam Grotsky, Kay Kerrigan, James Kim, Heather McCann, April Macopson, Brenda Mareski, Steve Mayo, Lisa Montemurno, John Muller, Katrina Owen, Liz Remily, Bob Roth, Pam Sak, Jason Schubert, Connie Smith, Terri Strom, Caroline Thomas, Mary Willard Charlotte School of Law Camille Davidson Culp Elliott & Carpenter Briani Bennett, Andrew Dana, Stanton Geller, Carl King, Robert Lack Harwell Law Firm Helen Harwell Moore & Van Allen Melissa Gray, Brad Van Hoy Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson Heidi Royal Weaver Bennett & Bland Eran Weaver |
| Greater Need, Fewer Resources |
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You are receiving LSSP’s inaugural newsletter because you are already a supporter of our work to “assure a full measure of justice for those in need.” Your support has never been more important than in these challenging times. In 2009, LSSP has already opened 30% more cases than in 2008. While LSSP faces reduced funding in almost every area of funding, the number of clients seeking our help and severity of their cases only increases. Whether it is through this year’s Access to Justice Campaign or Justice For All Luncheon we, now more than ever, need your support to preserve our basic staff positions so we can help domestic violence victims and disabled children who without our work face crisis. Click here to make a year-end gift to support LSSP's work. |
| Wishing you “Happy Holidays” from LSSP |
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In the classic movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” starring George Bailey, Bailey discovers, with the help of the angel Clarence, what his community would look like if he had never been a part of it. Because George Bailey was involved in his community, people were saved from death, prison, homelessness, and poverty. We believe that like George Bailey, our community would be a very different place without LSSP and the services we have provided since 1967. Thank you for your generous financial and volunteer support which makes it possible for LSSP to provide legal services to the thousands in need in Charlotte. |
| LSSP Partners with Local Law Firms to Meet Increased Need |
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Meghan McClure, Matthew Latrick and Lauren Rico expected to return to Charlotte after passing the NC Bar to begin their careers with Moore and Van Allen and Mayer Brown. While the downturn in the economy increased the number of clients seeking legal services from LSSP, many private firms were facing less work and needing fewer staff. Several law firms in Charlotte coordinated with local legal services agencies to defer hire dates of new attorneys and instead offer 4 month to 1 year fellowships for anyone interested in working in public interest during their deferral. McClure, Lattrick and Rico each saw the deferred hire date as an opportunity to experience a new type of legal work and to work with LSSP to help meet the needs of our increasing number low-income clients. McClure, who speaks Spanish, is working with domestic violence clients through LSSP’s Immigrant Justice Program. Lattrick and Rico are both working in LSSP’s Consumer Protection Program. Rico is also helping with a class action case around Medicaid due process issues. Their time with LSSP has introduced each of them to nonprofit work. “I will definitely stay connected to the pro-bono sector, ” says Rico who will be with LSSP until Fall 2010. |
| Pro Bono Attorneys are Key to Serving Clients |
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Hunton and Williams attorney, Bob Hahn, has taken pro bono cases since graduating from law school. He primarily handles cases for low-income clients who have been denied benefits, such as Medicaid or social security disability. These benefits are often the client’s sole source of income or their only access to medical care. Jane is a 60-year-old woman, who worked for many years in one of the Charlotte banks. Her job involved continuous typing and she eventually developed carpal tunnel syndrome. She saw numerous doctors, took multiple medications, but still found that she left her job every day with severe pain in her hands. Most nights she had to soak her hands in cold water to regain any strength in them. The pain eventually made it impossible for her to continue to perform her duties at the bank. She tried several different jobs, from airport shuttle bus driver, to packing boxes and finally cleaning in a local hospital. But as the pain in her hands began to worsen, Jane could not hold the mop and had to leave the cleaning job as well. With limited job training, she could not find full time work that does not involve the use of her hands. When Jane’s request for Medicaid was denied she sought help at LSSP. As an active volunteer attorney with LSSP, Hahn agreed to handle her appeal. After reviewing Jane’s medical evidence, age and limited job training, the hearing officer quickly found in Jane’s favor. He determined that she was disabled and granted her application for Medicaid. Jane is now getting the medical care she needs. Hahn was likewise pleased with the outcome. He finds it personally rewarding to be able to help someone like Jane receive the care that she needed.. According to Hahn, “our government has set up a system to help those in need and it is a good feeling to see these programs used by the people who truly need them.” If you are interested in volunteering with LSSP please contact Rabia Javaid at rabiaj@lssp.org. |
Phone: 704-376-1600 Toll Free: 800-247-1931 Fax: 704-376-8627