Posted September 4, 20138:11 am
from Plain Dealer reporter Janet Cho:
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman joined more than 800 members of the Greater Cleveland legal community on Tuesday to salute the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland's efforts to pursue justice for the poor, needy and vulnerable.
Legal Aid last year handled 9,478 cases on behalf of nearly 24,000 adults and children. But dwindling resources also forced the Legal Aid staff to turn away 50 percent of the people who asked for help in 2012.
Despite being the fifth oldest and among the largest of 134 independent legal aid associations nationwide, the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland has had to cut back on the number of people it can help: from 10,279 cases in 2011 to 9,478 (801 fewer) in 2012. Two staff lawyers were let go and Legal Aid has not replaced another two who retired.
Portman said those 9,000 cases are more than statistics, because they represent Legal Aid "giving those families the ability to be contributing members of society."
He mentioned a woman who endured 18 years of abuse from her husband before Legal Aid helped her get a divorce, full custody of her children and a new start in life. Legal Aid also helped a Gulf War veteran keep a roof over his head, find a job and get his life back on track.
Portman was introduced at Tuesday's luncheon by former U.S. Congressman and retired Legal Aid board member Louis Stokes, who said Portman strongly supports Legal Aid's work to ensure shelter, safety and economic security for those most in need, not only in Cleveland but nationwide....
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