Latest News & Updates from The Legal Aid Society

DECEMBER 2022

THE MONTHLY DOCKET NEWSLETTER

The latest news and updates from the Legal Aid Society

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Happy Holidays:

Bikes, Toys, & Cheer for GAL Youths!

Here at the Legal Aid Society (LAS), we are honored to be recognized as “Orange County’s Trusted Legal Aid Organization” and we don’t take our responsibilty in Central Florida lightly. Acknowledging that there is a fight for justice is only part of the battle. Making strides against poverty and pushing toward a better tomorrow begins with securing our youths. Each year, our organization’s Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program represents thousands of children who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. We believe in protecting the rights of these children.

Aside from defending their civil liberties in the courtroom, we also seek to ensure they preserve a piece of their innocent childhoods even in the midst of the challenges they may face being in the judicial dependency system.

To do so, we host several events each year in which we provide free bikes, toys, and books to GAL-represented children.

Most recently, we hosted our annual holiday bike giveaway and toy drive. We'd like to give a special thanks to our LAS board of trustees members in attendance at the event: Ms. Kathy “The Bike Fairy” Downs, Ms. Ayana Barrow, and President, Mr. Jay Small. In addition to our dedicated board and staff members, various community partners and companies joined together with the Legal Aid Society to collect and distribute thousands of bikes, toys, and books, helping us bring holiday cheer and happiness to our littlest clients. We are grateful to have the support and the trust of Central Florida’s residents who continuously allow us to do our part in creating better communities here in Orange County. We wish you all a safe and cheerful holiday season!

Every Penny & Second Counts:

Donating and Volunteering at LAS

The Legal Aid Society is a nonprofit organization that relies greatly on donations and volunteerism. We appreciate everyone who supports our most vulnerable residents through generous contributions of money & time. With the end of the year almost here, consider making a donation to the Legal Aid Society!

Your time and monetary donations are used to help us provide free legal services to the residents of Orange County in need. Services include eviction assistance, debt relief, orders of protection, veteran services, and much more. Whether you donate $5 or 5 hours of your time, your contributions go 5X's farther, thanks to our pro bono service model. No donation is too small or too large to help us provide equal access to justice for all.

To make a general monetary donation, click here. If you are interested in purchasing an event sponsorship in 2023, please click here. To learn more about volunteering, click here, and to take a pro bono case, click here. Thank You!

The VALOR Clinic is Back:

Free Legal Help for Orange County Veterans

The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc., in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs & the Bob Woodruff Foundation, is providing free legal services to Orange County veterans in need. No appointment is required. Income restrictions may apply. Legal assistance offered includes immigration law, family, housing, consumer law, taxes, & more.

Please view the graphic below for all dates and locations.

DISASTER RELIEF RESOURCES:

Help After Hurricane Ian

If you were affected by the recent Hurricane Ian Disaster, there are resources available to assist. Please view the graphic and links below for a list of helpful resources.

Disaster Unemployment: https://disasterassistance.gov
Food Assistance: https://fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory
Emergency Supplies: https://hfuw.org/GetHelp/
Housing Repairs: https://disasterassistance.gov

You may contact the Legal Aid Society office for assistance with legal services related to Hurricane Ian by calling 407-841-8310.

FREE IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE!

Legal Aid Society Lunchtime Trainings

The Legal Aid Society will be hosting a series of trainings providing in-depth insight to various legal issues. You may click here to view a Calendar featuring the training schedule and other Legal Aid Society events. These Lunchtime trainings are reserved for Lawyers, Paralegals, & Law Students. These trainings are virtual requiring registration via Zoom. Free lunch is available for those attending in person. Space is limited, so please be sure to register and reserve your spot.

To register, please contact with Marilyn Carbo (mcarbo@legalaidocba.org) or Michelle Erazmus (merazmus@legalaidocba.org). All trainings will be uploaded on the Legal Aid Society website here.

Upcoming Trainings:

VIRTUAL ONLY - January 10, 2023 "Ethics Tips and Trends” presented by Patti A. Savitz, Esq., Florida Bar Staff Counsel/Deputy Director Lawyer Regulation & Tenesia C. Hall, LAS Litigation Director

VIRTUAL ONLY - January 24, 2023 "GAL 101” presented by Ronnie Syme, LAS GAL Director of Legal Services & Coravious L. Cowart, Esq., LAS GAL Staff Attorney

We have sponsorship opportunities for these informative trainings. Want exposure for your business within the legal community? Please contact Donna Haynes at dhaynes@legalaidocba.org for more information. Thank You!

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info@legalaidocba.org | 407.841.8310

www.legalaidocba.org

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER 85-8012557303C-7/CH396 AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING THEIR WEBSITE AT www.FDACS.gov. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.