LEGAL AID SERVICE OF COLLIER COUNTY

Transcription

1 LEGAL AID SERVICE OF COLLIER COUNTY Address: 4436 East Tamiami Trail Naples FL Phone: Website Address: Website CEO/Executive Director: Mr. Anthony J. Karrat Esq. Organizational Board Chair: Ms. Alison F. Smith Esq. Mission and Background Statement

2 Mission Statement: The mission of Legal Aid Service of Collier County is to provide high quality free civil legal advice, representation and education to the residents of Collier County, based on need, so as to encourage self sufficiency and improve the lifestyle and living conditions of the entire community. Vision Statement To provide every person in Collier County who cannot afford an attorney with the civil legal representation needed to ensure their safety, health and minimum economic security. Strategic Goals Over the next three (3) years, Legal Aid Service of Collier County has established the following goals: Leadership and Governance 1. Increase leadership capacity identify, recruit and develop future new Board members (Governing Board, Fundraising Board and Advisory Board) 2.Engage in community-wide strategic planning and develop a new comprehensive strategic plan 3.Conduct an updated needs assessment 4.Create a comprehensive long-term Fundraising Plan Operations 1.Increase the capacity of Legal Aid s facilities (new building) to better serve clients and the community 2.Explore the timing and viability of a formal capital campaign for the new building 3.Explore the formation of a Medical-Legal partnership in Collier County Programs 1.Expand existing programs to meet growing client demand 2.Enhance existing programs and services through collaborations and new partnerships 3. Add new programs and services to meet the needs of low income clients in Collier County (including, but not limited to: services for at risk children; family law; domestic violence; Immigration (particularly family unification, DACA, unaccompanied minors, and DAPA); Landlord-Tenant; Consumer Law and Credit and Collections; Veterans legal services; and services for the elderly and disabled). 4.Increase private attorney participation in the Collier Lawyers Care Pro Bono Program Development 1. Increase and diversify revenue streams for LASCC including via new public or private grants, Foundations, Corporate grants and sponsorships, individual donor cultivation, and events 2.Explore the expansion of existing grants 3.Raise awareness in the community about the work and services of LASCC 4.Develop a comprehensive Marketing Plan 5.Develop a comprehensive Communications Plan 6. Equip and empower the Fundraising Development Board to raise funds (Annual Campaign; Patron events; Special events) 7.Explore the establishment of an Endowment fund 8.Establish and create a formal Planned Giving program 9.Create a Next Generation Board or Committee to leverage the support of young professionals Financials Projected Revenue: $7,018, Projected Expenses: $6,048, Capital Campaign? No Type of Organization: Crime & Legal - Related Employment Identification Number - EIN# Full-time Staff: 23 Part-time Staff 0 Volunteers: 180

3 Programs

4 Legal Aid for Collier Kids The Legal Aid for Collier Kids Project addresses a dangerous gap in services in Collier County to meet the critical legal needs of children who have been victimized by exposure to domestic violence, abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Legal Aid is the only provider of these kinds of free direct legal services to these at-risk children in Collier County. Dependency and Family Law. The Project has made an immediate and substantial impact in promoting the safety, stability and overall well being of atrisk children in Collier County. The type of legal assistance rendered under the Project is prioritized based on the level of emergency posed to the children. Legal assistance provided under the project includes obtaining Injunctions for Protection against Domestic Violence or Sexual Abuse. Budget Education Law. The Legal Aid for Collier Kids Project also serves the education law needs of children. The Education Legal Rights Project of Collier County provides legal representation to children and parents when the child s needs are not being met in the school. The child may need additional services due to a learning disability, physical, mental or emotional disability, other health impairment, or another disabling condition under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Children and Youth (0-19 years) Family Law Unit In 2013, there were 1,427 incidents of domestic violence in Collier County. Studies show 23.6% of women and 11.5% of men reported at least one episode of intimate-partner violence in their lifetime. The Legal Services to Victims ( LSTV ) Project provides safety and stability to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, repeat violence, elder and other abuse. The LSTV project provides free legal services to these individuals, primarily by obtaining injunctions for protection for the victims. Our attorneys also represent clients in custody and divorce matters, seeking to achieve just outcomes that improve the lives of families and children in poverty. A further objective of the LSTV Project is to promote the prevention of domestic abuse through community education and seminars, to alert the at-risk population as to their rights, best practices to secure their safety, and the resources available in the community to safeguard them. Victims Consumer Law and Elder Law Public Benefits for the Elderly, Veterans, and the Disabled: Our Public Benefits Unit provides assistance to the elderly, veterans, the disabled, and others in need who are experiencing problems related to Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security Disability and SSI, Veterans Administration ( VA ) Benefits, Unemployment Compensation, Food Stamps, and other public benefits to which our clients are lawfully entitled. Our Senior Citizen Unit also provides legal advice and representation to Collier County residents who are 60 years of age or older for all general, civil legal matters. Consumer Law: Legal Aid's Consumer Law unit protects the rights of consumers by providing legal assistance to the victims of fraud, identity theft, and other deceptive practices. Legal Aid attorneys provide assistance with various consumer issues, including wage garnishment, credit and collections, identity theft, fraud, contract disputes, usury issues, insurance disputes, healthcare claims, and others. Aging, Elderly, Senior Citizens

5 Immigration Law Unit Housing Unit Legal Aid Service of Collier County s Immigration Unit provides assistance to income eligible residents of Collier County in the following areas: Immigrant victims of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking, and victims of other violent crimes, in obtaining lawful immigration status. Abused, abandoned, or neglected immigrant children in their applications for lawful permanent residence. Clients with meritorious defenses such as adjustment, cancellation, political asylum, and NACARA in removal proceedings in immigration court. We also work at family reunification through family petitions and visa practice, especially for families of farm workers. We represent applicants for Temporary Protected Status ( TPS ). Immigrant, Newcomers, Refugees Collier County homeowners facing foreclosure often find themselves in a whirlwind of confusion, frustration and stress. They may immediately jump to the conclusion that they will lose their homes or face financial ruin. Homeowners have many rights and legal options of which they may be unaware. There are many alternatives to foreclosure. LASCC provides legal advice and representation for Collier County homeowners, who are in or near foreclosure, including: Providing legal defenses to foreclosure lawsuits Educating homeowners about the judicial foreclosure process Representing and assisting homeowners in mediation sessions Providing information on alternatives to foreclosure Identifying fraudulent documentation and other widespread illegal foreclosure practices Helping homeowners gain crucial time needed to work toward a solution Families