May 2023 LASC-SEOLS Pursuing Justice Newsletter

Justin Spicer

In this issue: Inside Look from the Executive Director; Grant Funding Supports Legal Aid's Work with Seniors; The Return of the Fresh Start Gala; Danniell Coleman Steps into Pro Bono Role; Opportunity to Help Out; LASC and SEOLS in the News

Inside Look from the Executive Director

Since May is Older Americans Month, it's the ideal time to spotlight our commitment to older Ohioans. In 2022, 30% of the clients served by SEOLS and 21% of those served by LASC were seniors. This is higher than the overall percentage of seniors in the communities we serve, however, consistent with the trends that a growing number of seniors, now one in three, are economically insecure. Our work with seniors runs the gamut from assisting with consumer issues like home repairs and predatory car lots to addressing tangled property titles and estate planning and helping with needed home health care services through Medicaid and Medicare.

In our most recent round of strategic planning, increasing our ability to serve seniors rose to the top of the list of priorities. As a result, we recently hired a staff attorney to work with seniors throughout the SEOLS service area. This staff attorney will help streamline our processes, increase our outreach and education, provide training around probate and estate related issues, and work on senior-focused impact efforts. On the LASC side, we are also increasing staff attorney resources dedicated to this work, to ensure that we are enhancing services throughout all 36 of our counties.

We are looking forward to the advocacy opportunities that these additional roles bring to the organization in increasing access to justice for low-income seniors in our communities.

Development Digest

Grant Funding Supports Legal Aid's Work with Seniors

LASC and SEOLS have always prioritized civil legal services to seniors in our community. Most of our service area receives funding from Title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 through local Area Agency on Aging organizations. In total, our program receives over $179,000 per year through Title III funding. This funding is critical because, in addition to standard civil legal services like helping with housing assistance, navigating the Social Security system, and dealing with debt, seniors are constantly targeted for scams and predatory practices. Many pro bono attorneys and paralegals also support our Senior Referral Project and the Paralegal Association of Central Ohio Wills Clinic.

Our Economic Justice Teams spend considerable time talking to seniors who have sent money to scammers or believe debt collectors are going to have them arrested for their debts. Connecting one-on-one with people to make sure they know their rights makes a big difference in seniors’ lives.

In addition to Title III, our program receives funding from Sourcepoint in Marion County to serve local seniors and from Senior Options in Franklin County to support a social worker, Chris Kelly, at eviction court in Columbus. Chris works directly with seniors who are facing evictions and helps them navigate the process at court. Following their hearings, he connects them with other resources.

The Return of the Fresh Start Gala!

On Thursday, May 18, after a three-year hiatus, LASC was thrilled to host the return of the Fresh Start Gala! We are happy to report the event—held for the first time in the beautiful Horizon Suite at the Huntington Center—was our most successful ever, raising over $50,000 for our Bankruptcy Program. Attendees had the chance to catch up with colleagues, bid in our virtual auction, sample drinks and appetizers, and learn about the life-changing impact of a chance at a fresh start.

Thank you to all the attendees, donors, auction participants, and our generous sponsors who supported the 2023 Fresh Start Gala! If you missed the event, but would still like to donate, click here.

To see more from the 2023 Fresh Start Gala, check out our Facebook photo album!

Connecting with Pro Bono

Danniell Coleman Steps into Pro Bono Role

After five years working at the Chillicothe office of SEOLS, Danniell Coleman has moved into the role of pro bono support for LASC and SEOLS. In her new position, Danniell provides the support that is essential to OSLSA’s pro bono work, including scheduling interviews with potential pro bono attorneys, interviewing senior clients who need wills and advanced directives, sending out referral letters to clients and private attorneys willing to work with them, and doing the onsite administrative and support work necessary for successful legal clinics.

“We are thrilled to have Danniell join our team,” said Dianna Parker. “Her commitment to Legal Aid and her knowledge of our service area will be incredibly hopeful to the role.”

Danniell says she truly enjoys the work she does on behalf of Ohioans in need of civil legal aid. “We give hope and a voice to low-income individuals,” she says. “Legal aid helps make sure that everyone is treated fairly in the justice system, no matter how much money they have or what their background is.”

Originally from Chillicothe and raised in South Webster, Ohio, Danniell graduated from Ohio University. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking and hiking with her husband and two daughters.

Seniors Referral Project

Ongoing

Virtual or in-person

LASC and SEOLS are looking for Pro Bono Attorneys, Paralegals, and Law Students to assist seniors with basic estate planning. Volunteers speak with clients either in person or virtually and help by drafting simple wills and advanced directives. Training and Volunteer Toolkit are provided. If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out our volunteer interest form.

For a complete listing of ways to get involved, check out our Volunteer Resources page.

LASC and SEOLS in the News

LASC Managing Attorney Josh Goodwin’s testimony before the Public Benefits Assistance Accountability Task Force quoted:

Advocates Say Public Benefits Programs Weighed Down by ‘Bureaucracy,’ ‘Red Tape’

Hannah (April 18, 2023)

SEOLS Administrative Secretary Sherry Barker mentioned as a coordinator of a free legal clinic:

Perry County Probate/Juvenile Court Update

Perry County Tribune (April 26, 2023)

LASC Staff Attorney Graham Bowman quoted:

Attorney 'cautiously optimistic' settlement can be reached for Latitude Five25 residents

The Columbus Dispatch (April 26, 2023)

SEOLS Staff Attorney Caitlyn McDaniel mentioned as a presenter:

Athens Messenger (May 4, 2023)

SEOLS Staff Attorney Caitlyn McDaniel mentioned as a presenter:

Women in business conference happening Friday

Athens News (May 16, 2023)

SEOLS mentioned as a grant recipient:

Sisters Health Foundation announces grants

The Marietta Times (May 20, 2023)

LASC mentioned as a provider of record sealing and expungement services:

New Ohio law makes hiding criminal records easier, quicker, cheaper

The Columbus Dispatch (May 21, 2023)

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