The
Legal Project
Pro
Bono Corner
Lisa A. Frisch, Executive Director
Finally. .
.Some Good News About the NYS Budget and Civil Legal Services!!
It’s
been a very long road and it’s not over yet, but after much effort
and time, we finally have funds in the Governor’s Executive Budget
that are targeted specifically for general civil legal services for
the poor. For many years, the civil legal services community has been
imploring the state of New York to make equal justice for the poor a
priority by providing a stable stream of funding rather than having
to depend on member items and other less secure funding streams to support
our important programs.
Governor
Spitzer listened and made this funding an important part of
his first Executive Budget—doubling the funds that had been available
in the past through Legislative initiatives to a total of $8 million
dollars. Certainly, this does not come close to the $50 million that
is needed to truly provide a stable base of funding, but this is a tremendous
start and we are very grateful for his keen awareness of the issues
and for his support for equal justice for all. I want to express our
gratitude to the Empire Justice Center for their leadership
in advocating for the upstate programs and for bringing the programs
together as a strong team to work toward the goal of this funding and
better stability.
As you know, The
Legal Project’s experience of losing significant federal grant
funding that put our domestic violence program at great risk has been
made an example of why state funding, in addition to individual and
corporate support, is so critical to helping programs like ours maintain
and grow our services to meet the needs of those who need assistance
in our communities.
I also want to express
my sincere thanks to members of the New York State Legislature who have
continued their support of programs statewide, including The Legal Project,
particularly as the specifics of how the Executive Budget funding will
be distributed. If not for the Legislature, in our case, specifically
for Senator Breslin, Senator Bruno, Senator Farley, and Assemblymembers
Canestrari, McEneny, Reilly and Tonko, we
would have had a very difficult time getting through our funding challenges
of the past few years and we appreciate their support then and now,
more than they can imagine. Further, the leadership of Assemblywoman
Helene Weinstein has made all of the difference in making civil
legal services funding a priority, this year and for many years prior—she
never took her eyes off the ball and no matter what, ensured that our
programs had a voice in the Legislature.
Thanks to all that
have supported the funding in the Executive Budget. The CDWBA
and WBASNY were the first of the Bar Associations statewide
to pass a resolution supporting this funding, followed closely by many
others. We are very grateful to the New York State Bar Association
for the support for this funding as well, and the voice that they continue
to give for both financial support and for pro bono.
Again, there’s
more work to be done to ensure the stability of funding for our programs,
but we are heartened by the support and the fact that finally, in 2007,
civil legal services are being recognized as a vital part of our community’s
response to our neighbors in need—helping address issues such
as homelessness, domestic violence, employment, social security, immigration;
hunger, education, veteran’s needs and many others. Equal Justice
is an instrinsic part of a just society and finally, New York State
is on its’ way to providing this level of equality and justice
for all, not just those who can afford it. Thank you to all who are
making this a reality.
Save the Dates:
AHAA Training:
June 4th and 5th
Family Offense Basics: June 8th
For more info: contact spattenaude@legalproject.org
The Legal Project
Starts Spring Appeal Fundraiser
We are more than
halfway to our goal of $50,000 to match the donations we received from
Martin, Harding and Mazotti law firm, Liza’s
Legacy Foundation, the Sidney and Beatrice Albert Foundation
and the Sherry and Barry Gold Donor Advised Fund of the Community
Foundation.
Our Spring Appeal
letters have probably found their way to you by now, and we would very
much appreciate your support, of whatever size. Every dollar is matched,
doubling the impact of your donation. You can also donate on our secure
website at www.legalproject.org.
Although we are relieved at the level of state support, that only funds
a portion of our program, so individual, law firm and corporate fundraising
are crucial to the strength of our services. Thank you in advance for
your generosity! We will be listing the names of our donors for this
match in a subsequent newsletter so you can all see the remarkable breadth
of support that The Legal Project has from this wonderful community.
Thanks for Volunteering
in April!
AHAA
Arthur Casey
Mark Juda
Kelly Malloy-Pogoda
Jamie Woodward
Domestic
Violence Legal Connection
Michael Brosnan
Amy Knussman
Camille Siano-Enders
Margaret Tabak
Michael Weinstein
Legal Clinics
| YWCA:
Coordinator – Carol Phillips
Jennifer Corcoran
Barbara King
Albany Public Library:
Coordinator – Katie Weinberg
Leyla Kiosse
Melissa Latino
Unity
House:
Coordinator – Abe Bolgatz
Thomas Kenney
Jill Nagy
Mechanicville:
Coordinator – Jessica Lennon
Anne Copps
Heena Shaikh
|
Saratoga:
Coordinator – Jessica Lennon
Laura Greco
Equinox:
Coordinator – Stephanie Hollner
David Levy
Heena Shaikh
Joann Sternheimer
HIV/AIDS
Wills Project
Anne Reynolds Copps
Law Firm of Lavelle & Finn
Legally
Speaking:
Pamela Robich-Wright
|
Third Judicial District
Pro Bono Expo Was a Great Success!
Thank you to Judges
Ceresia and Cardona for recognizing the importance
of pro bono and for bringing together more than 90 local attorneys at
the New York State Bar Center on April 18th to meet with representatives
of the three major pro bono programs in the District—The Legal
Project, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
and the Albany County Bar Association. There was a
panel of distinguished judges and attorneys who spoke of what it means
to have pro bono attorneys helping aid the justice process and how easy
it really is to volunteer for one of our programs. Many signed up for
more information and hopefully we will all get additional help from
the private bar to help us meet the increasing needs of our neighbors.
Thank you!
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