As we head toward our spring Fresh Start Gala on April 17, I am reminded of the profound impact of legal representation for low-income individuals and families with high amounts of debt and the difference LASCO and our volunteers make in those individuals’ lives.
Consistent with rising debt nationally, we received 780 requests for assistance in the past year alone. Though we were able to successfully handle 295 of these cases, the gap between the need and what we can provide is stark. With increased support from Legal Aid champions, we can further close that gap and provide relief to more clients across our 36-county service area.
The individuals who reach out to us for help with debt—and their families—face life-altering challenges: wage garnishments, utility shut-offs, or driver’s license suspensions because of insurmountable debt. Since 2019, we have discharged over $13.4 million in debt, helped individuals recover nearly $93,000 from creditors, stopped 254 garnishments, and reinstated 129 driver’s licenses. Our advocates have also prevented 111 utility shutoffs and sent 3,135 letters to creditors, helping clients rebuild their financial futures.
Our program utilizes in-house staff and a panel of dedicated pro bono attorneys to handle bankruptcies as well as law clerks and other volunteers to help with our by-pass program. Volunteers with the by-pass program help process and send letters on behalf of elderly and disabled clients to creditors notifying them of the clients’ uncollectable status and demanding that they cease contact with them. These letters help to stop incessant and overwhelming debt collection calls and help give peace of mind to our clients.
For many years, the support of our donors has made this work possible. Please join us in continuing to support giving people a Fresh Start—whether as a volunteer, a donor, or attendee at our upcoming event!
