Legal Aid Foundation Kicks Off Major Fundraising Drive
| Jurisdiction | Colorado,United States |
| Citation | Vol. 15 No. 9 Pg. 2142 |
| Pages | 2142 |
| Publication year | 1987 |
1987, December, Pg. 2142. Legal Aid Foundation Kicks Off Major Fundraising Drive
This month, the Legal Aid Foundation is mounting a major legal community fundraising campaign. Thirty-five lawyer volunteers are seeking contributions from law firms and individual lawyers to increase support for Colorado's civil legal aid programs. The Legal Community Campaign was kicked off at a reception and orientation on November 16 and will continue through the end of the year.
The campaign will emphasize the ethical obligation lawyers have to support all efforts to ensure that the disadvantaged have access to the justice system. A primary method for fulfilling this obligation in Colorado is through the Legal Aid Foundation.
The Legal Aid Foundation is the private fundraising arm for Colorado Rural Legal Services, the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Denver (including the Northwest Legal Services Project), Pikes Peak Legal Services, and Pueblo County Legal Services. Last year, these programs served over 23,000 low income families, disabled people, senior citizens, and victims of domestic violence.
Unrestricted contributions to the Legal Aid Foundation are disbursed to the legal aid programs on a formula based on the number of poor people living in each program's service area. It is the most efficient way for lawyers to support Colorado's staffed civil legal aid programs.
There is a serious unmet need for civil legal assistance in Colorado. According to the 1980 census, approximately one in ten Coloradans cope with life at the poverty level. Current economic problems have increased the number of people who are poor. Last year, more than 4,000 eligible people who came to or called a legal aid office were turned away. Neither the staffed legal aid programs nor the local bar association pro bono programs had the resources to help them. Many other poor people who could have benefited from fuller representation received only advice.
To make a contribution, or for more information, contact the Legal Aid Foundation, 1900 Grant Street, Suite 950, Denver, CO 80203.
The Campaign Steering Committee, chaired by Thomas Faxon, Of Counsel, Sherman and Howard, includes:
...
To continue reading
Request your trial