Posted January 14, 201510:07 am
The Cleveland Public Library's 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Program will feature keynote speaker, Pastor Richard M. Gibson of Elizabeth Baptist Church.
The event includes an array of inspirational performances, musical selections and exhibits on Monday, January 19, 2015 from 1:00pm-2:30pm at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch of the Cleveland Public Library, located at 1962 Stokes Blvd. Click here for more details.
The program's theme is "Drum Majors for Change", referencing Dr. King's speech, "Drum Major Instinct" and quote, " Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all other shallow things shall not matter."
The Legal Aid Society of Clevealnd has been selected to receive Cleveland Public Library's 2015 Drum Major for Change award. This award seeks to honor an individual or organization for acts of social justice and community leadership reflective of the spirit, service, works, and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For 110 years, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland has been a drum major for peace in Northeast Ohio. When someone is faced with the loss of something as basic as shelter, income, safety or education, the best response is often the use of our legal system. But, if you are facing the loss of shelter, safety or security – there is no right to counsel in United States’ civil courts. This is where Legal Aid – a private nonprofit – works to fill this gap in the judicial system.
Legal Aid represents clients in civil legal matters, provide education to the community and advocate on systemic issues of poverty. Founded in 1905, Legal Aid employs 40 attorneys, 25 other staff and engages more than 1,500 volunteer lawyers.
Legal Aid’s clients are low-income people who are confronted with a legal problem that – if left unresolved – will result in loss of housing, education, income, food, safety or family stability. The problems they face are life problems that have a legal resolution. These clients have legal rights, but, without an attorney, those rights will not be enforced. At Legal Aid, we work to make sure that the powerless get a fair shake. We use the power of the law to help those who are poor and vulnerable.
Legal Aid provides services that focus on improving clients’ safety, shelter and economic security. Last year, the organization helped more than 22,000 people through 9,000 legal cases. Legal Aid has a close relationship with the Cleveland Public Library, and hosts monthly clinics in various Cleveland Library branches.
Cleveland’s Legal Aid is the fifth oldest Legal Aid in the country and one of 134 independent Legal Aid organizations serving every county in the United States.