5th ANNUAL IGNITE THE NIGHT

Roast of 

Mickey Maurer

Thursday, September 24

The Crane Bay Event Center

Our Roasters have recently been announced and they are:

Rabbi Dennis Sasso, Patricia Miller, John Thompson,

Dean Austen Parrish, Greg Morris and surprise guests!

Tickets are $300 and includes an open bar, an exceptional dinner, plenty of parking, and much comic relief!

For more information about the event and  how to buy tickets or sponsor, click  HERE !

All CDC and local health department guidance will be followed in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable evening for all.

July Success Story

One of our clients, Jordan, is a 21 year-old father of two who was a recovering addict in a halfway house in Indianapolis. Jordan had been unemployed at the beginning of the year, but had found construction site training so he could work again. He had found a construction job, but it required him to drive, and Jordan’s license had been suspended. Some time ago Jordan had been pulled over, and fined for not having car insurance. Jordan wasn’t able to pay the fine and thus his license was suspended, and given a $250 reinstatement fee he could not pay.

Jordan was also part of the Indianapolis chapter of Back on My Feet (BMF), a nonprofit organization that helps homeless people become independent and connects them with local resources in the community while taking them on runs through the city. Indy Legal Aid works with BMF, and BMF hosted a workshop where Indy Legal Aid attorneys discussed legal issues their clients typically need help with. Attorneys then gave people at the workshop the opportunity to schedule meetings with Indy Legal Aid to sort our their legal issues. Here, Jordan was able to schedule a meeting with Indy Legal Aid attorney Jennifer Hammond to work out getting his driver’s license back.

The day after Jordan finished working with Jennifer at Indy Legal Aid’s office, the state of Indiana announced COVID-19 lockdown measures. Thankfully, Indy Legal Aid did not stop helping clients just because of the pandemic, and through online communication the Court waived the reinstatement fee so that Jordan could get his license back. In a time when Jordan typically wouldn’t have been able to get help because of the pandemic, Indy Legal Aid made sure that he would be able to succeed. Jordan is now employed with his own apartment and car insurance, and is aiding his children’s mother financially to take care of his kids. Even through COVID-19, Indy Legal Aid is committed to helping people in the Indianapolis area who usually would be struggling alone.

~~George Kite, Indy Legal Aid Intern



Indy Legal Aid Receives Two-Year Grant from the

Indiana Criminal Justice Institute

Indy Legal Aid recently received a two-year Victims of Crime Act grant for our program "Legal Advocacy and Support for the Under-served" that covers Marion and the seven surrounding counties. Indy Legal Aid also received this grant in 2016 and 2018.

This grant will allow us to increase the availability of free legal assistance to victims of domestic violence to help them achieve safety and stability, and enhance their life skills. Indy Legal Aid will provide assistance in civil court proceedings and referrals to partner agencies providing mental health, housing, and other services.

While violence does not discriminate, low-income individuals may be disproportionately affected by domestic violence, elder abuse, and child abuse because they lack the knowledge and available resources to stop the violence and the legal help to extricate themselves from abusive situations.

"In the past year, we have seen an increase in the number of seniors and the disabled who are coming to us for assistance," said John Floreancig, Indy Legal Aid General Counsel and CEO. "We are extremely grateful for ICJI's continued support of our program."

Second Chance Workshop - - a Collaboration with Indy Legal Aid and the Marion County Prosecutor's Office

Indy Legal Aid continues to partner with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office for the Second Chance Workshop which started last year to help low-income Hoosiers with suspended driver’s license restoration assistance.

Due to Covid-19, the program was suspended from March through May and resumed remotely in June. Indy Legal Aid attorneys work with individuals who learn about the program through the Prosecutor's Office. Indy Legal Aid attorney, Andrea Sneden, is spearheading the program. This month, Indy Legal Aid attorneys, along with Ice Miller and Eli Lilly and Company volunteer attorneys, assisted more than 100 individuals who participated.

As you can imagine, the lack of a driver’s license can create a domino effect leading to

poverty. Without a driver’s license it may be difficult or impossible to find or retain

employment. When this occurs, paying for housing, child support, food, healthcare, etc.

becomes insurmountable. Studies have shown that 45% of drivers whose licenses have

been suspended, lose their jobs. Forty-five percent of drivers who lose their job, are not

able to find another job while their license is suspended.

Moving forward, the Second Chance Workshop will continue to be offered one-day each month. In addition, future options are being explored, such as engaging more local attorneys and law firms to volunteer with Indy Legal Aid attorneys.

Indy Legal Aid has a number of volunteer opportunities for attorneys, students, and the general public. For attorneys, we have pro bono cases, internships for students, and our spring and fall events, along with

light office work.



For more information, click here .

We have several ways for you to make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable Hoosiers in Central Indiana. Approximately $.90 of every dollar donated to Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is directly used to provide programs and services. For more information, click here .

615 N Alabama St, Suite 122

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 635 - 9538

www.INDYLAS.org

info@indylas.org

Monday - Friday

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

"The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is dedicated to ensuring that qualified low-income persons living in the Central Indiana community have access to quality legal assistance for civil disputes."