Legal Services of Southern Piedmont is NOW Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) September 05, 2017 -- The staff and board of directors of Legal Services of Southern Piedmont are pleased to announce that they are now Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. Though the name, logo and branding has changed, the organization’s service, staff and leadership remain the same, providing legal services and advocacy to those in need in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. This coincides with the organization’s 50th Anniversary, a yearlong celebration marked with special events and initiatives like the Legal Advocacy Day of Service, an open-to-the-public event providing a variety of legal services, to be held on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. In honor of Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, September has been declared Charlotte Legal Advocacy Month by Mecklenburg County. To learn more about Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, visit http://www.charlottelegaladvocacy.org.
The organization now known as Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy was established in 1967 to provide civil legal assistance to those in need. The then Legal Aid Society of Mecklenburg County (LASMC) began operation with three attorneys and two secretaries. In 1979, LASMC changed its name to Legal Services of Southern Piedmont (LSSP) and expanded to include Cabarrus, Gaston, Stanly and Union Counties. Today, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy helps domestic violence victims seek protective orders, the sick find healthcare coverage, disabled veterans obtain income and health benefits, senior citizens at risk of scams, homeowners in danger of foreclosure and immigrants in danger of exploitation.
Today, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy has a staff of close to 40 and a volunteer base of more than 500 legal professionals who help 3,500 families facing a crisis of safety, shelter, health or income. Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy provides individual advice and representation, as well as community education and outreach in partnership with other agencies. More than a legal aid program, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy provides committed advocacy work on behalf of clients, resulting in policy changes at the local and national level. Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is the largest provider of legal assistance in Mecklenburg County improving access to health care for low income and vulnerable populations.
“Without legal representation in civil matters, thousands of families can lose access to financial security, health care, housing and opportunity,” said Executive Director Ken Schorr. “Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is a champion for those in need of safety, security and stability and our organization has been serving the community since 1967.”
“Having grown over the last fifty years, our work is more critically important today than ever,” said Todd Stillerman, Assistant General Counsel & Director at Bank of America and President of the board of directors of Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. “We invite Charlotte to get to know us better and support our mission by engaging in one of the events around our 50th Anniversary.”
In honor of Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy’s 50th Anniversary, several events and initiatives have been planned. More details can be found at http://www.charlottelegaladvocacy.org.
Legal Advocacy Day of Service: an open-the-public service event to provide legal advice
- Thursday, Sept. 14
- 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Mecklenburg County Courthouse
- A day of client services opportunities includes: expunction of criminal records, public benefits and health care access checkup, general referrals, voter registration and information on how to volunteer and get involved with Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
50th Anniversary Kick-off Reception and Celebration
- Thursday, Sept. 14
- 5:30 p.m. in Mecklenburg County Courthouse Atrium
- Keynote Speaker: Morris Dees (Founder, Southern Poverty Law Center)
Meet-up for Young Professionals
- Wednesday, Oct. 4
- 5:30 p.m.
- Free Range Brewing
Pro Bono Awards
- Tuesday, Oct. 24
- 5:30 p.m.
- Mint Museum Uptown
Community Symposium: Access to Health Care in Our Community –
- Wednesday, Nov. 8
Community Symposium: Immigration in Charlotte – February 2018
Party Like It's 1967: Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy Celebration
- April 19, 2018
- Mint Museum Randolph
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (formerly Legal Services of Southern Piedmont) provides expert legal advice and representation to those who cannot afford but desperately need them, something the organization has been doing since its inception in 1967. Each year, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy serves 3,500 families each year who are facing a crisis of safety, shelter, health or income. Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy provides committed advocacy work on behalf of clients, resulting in policy changes at the local and national level to impact a greater number of people. Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is a champion for those in need, ensuring their safety, security and stability. For more information, visit http://www.charlottelegaladvocacy.org.
Dee Grano, Kelso Communications, +1 (704) 604-7640, [email protected]
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