Hope 2021 Annual Report
Legal Aid Society | 2021 Annual Report
Igniting
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A Message from our Executive Director DarKenya W. Waller
The year 2021 was challenging for our clients and organization; nevertheless, the work of Legal Aid Society continued to illuminate the path of justice during such a tumultuous time. We watched as many struggled to keep their homes, feed their families, and make ends meet. To be honest, hopelessness was one of the biggest hur dles we’ve seen people strive to overcome in the last few years. Hopelessness created a chasm of doubt, insecurity, fear, and loss that left thousands of people wondering, “What should I do next?” and “Who can I turn to for help?” On top of all the issues facing our clients, they still had to navigate the difficult terrain of the pandemic. Like many, we thought the pandemic would soon be over. Yet here we are... Throughout the pages of our 2021 Annual Report, you will see the tireless efforts of our practice groups, volunteers, and community members as we worked diligently to make a difference in the lives of our clients. From natural disasters to the end of the eviction moratorium, Legal Aid Society continued to be on the frontlines of the pan demic, igniting hope.
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Igniting Hope
Sparking Connections Volunteer Lawyers Program
300 pro bono attorneys wererecruitedOver 600 cases were closed for clients Over In 2021
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Volunteerism was essential to the framework of Legal Aid Society in 2021. By fostering a vast network of pro bono attorneys, our organization continued to empower our clients and communities into action. Tools like the Pro Bono Matters online catalog allowed Legal Aid Society to connect potential pro bono attorneys with the important client cases we may not have had the capacity to represent. Altogether, our Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) team organized free legal clinics, assigned cases to volunteer attorneys, and secured non-attorney volunteers to help with administrative tasks across Legal Aid Society offices. Pro bono attorneys helped secure homes, health benefits, safety, financial stability, respect, and hope for our most disadvantaged neighbors.
Volunteer Spotlight
Mary Langford
Page | 5 For a full list of 2020 pro bono attorneys visit: LAS.org/2021-pro-bono-attorneys Legal Aid Society | 2021 Annual Report
Andrae Crismon presents Mary Langford with the 2021 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award. Since September 2020, Mary has taken her previous advocacy for victims of abuse to an even higher level. She dedicates her Tuesdays to pro bono work with Legal Aid Society by assisting clients with or ders of protection in the Davidson County General Sessions and Circuit SheCourts.often assists 2-3 clients each Tuesday, helping to be their voice and advocating for them to receive needed protection. We are extremely grateful for and appreciative of the tireless work that she gives to help ing our clients who are trying to recover from abusive and often lifethreatening relationships.
LAS WE
Civil legal aid is an essential part of our state’s front-line response. It’s vital that our govern ment and community leverage every possible resource to meet the multiplying needs of our neighbors. Here are a few accomplishments achieved in 2021: Since 2008, our budget has grown from just under $6,000,000 to $9,200,892 in 2021. The bar graph below is a breakdown of our funding streams. at a Glance
Legal Aid Society | 2021 Annual Report 2021
Page | 6 By the Numbers YOU opened 5,323 cases assisting over 12,000 people and winning $5,340,160 in benefits for clients Finances reached 84,121 online users through 238,663 webpage engagements and 11 Facebook live events helped us raise over $1.2 million in donations for our client services and reach over 321,000 people through our outreach campaigns
For over 50 years, Legal Aid Society has informed and educated our beneficiaries about their rights under the law. LAS provided partners, community members, and clients with the infor mation they needed to navigate some of the most challenging times of their lives.
Legal Aid Society | 2021 Annual Report Outreach
Who We Are
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Legal Aid Society received a grant to continue disaster recovery work. Throughout 2021, Legal Aid Society represented clients, launched a prepared ness campaign, and educated the community about essential resources like FEMA, renters insurance, and homeowners insurance. Legal Aid Society helped over 1,500 people by offering direct representation and legal education.
Legal Aid Society partnered with Safe at Home, the Tennessee Secretary of State’s free statewide address confidentiality program. The program helps victims of domestic abuse, stalking, human traf ficking, rape, sexual battery, or any other sexual offense by protect ing their addresses.
In collaboration with Georgetown University, Legal Aid Society launched the online Criminal Record Expungement Application to increase ac cess to self-help expungement resources. Legal Aid Society helped over 700 people avoid life-changing evictions and stay in their homes during a glob al pandemic. These efforts helped to prevent the health and economic spiral that many faced during these unprecedented times.
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Legal Aid Society launched a tax education campaign for the local community. This campaign opened an unprecedented 363 new cases in 2021. As a result of the campaign, Legal Aid Society assisted 536 taxpayers and conducted 473 consultations on matters that did not result in representation. Legal Aid Society secured $1,372,207 in decreased liabilities and $509,693 in re funds for Middle Tennessee taxpayers.
May 2021 marked the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. Legal Aid Society’s Racial Justice and Equity Team continued to meet monthly to review organizational poli cies, complete outreach trainings, and discuss relevant issues to ensure Legal Aid Society had an affirming environment for staff and clients.
Legal Aid Society | 2021 Annual Report
Legal Aid Society concluded the work of the Tennessee Senior Law Alliance, a three-year projecft aimed at solving civil legal issues for older adults. Through the alliance, Legal Aid Society assisted over 1,400 seniors, closed 1,848 cases, and created over 50 partnerships which resulted in $1,369,555 in financial benefits for our clients over the age of 60.
Legal Aid Society collaborated with the Tennessee Administrative Offices of the Courts and other Legal Aids statewide to celebrate Pro Bono Month. Legal Aid Society held four continuing legal educa tion (CLE) opportunities in order to train more pro bono attorneys.
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In response to the devastaing floods in Waverly, TN, Legal Aid Society partnered with Catholic Chari ties, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, VOAD, and Vanderbilt’s Housing Clinic to educate survivors about emergency food stamp benefits, FEMA, insurance benefits, and more. Over 1,500 people were reached through online educational sessions. Additionally, 1,500 educational brochures were distributed to flood survivors.
When the federal eviction ban ended in July 2021, Legal Aid Society attorneys helped tenants complete their rental assistance applications and access rental assitance programs.
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Legal Aid Society hosted Giving Tuesday and raised over $40,000 to address food insecurity in Middle
LegalTennessee.AidSociety concluded its work help ing Families First recipients resolve over 271 legal issues with funding from the Cycles of Success grant. Legal Aid Society recovered $67,784 in unintended costs, avoided $90,000 in civil legal fees, and provided much-needed economic relief for our clients in Davidson, Morgan, and Scott counties.
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Page | 14 Consumer & Employment Legal Aid Society | 2021 Annual Report Closed958Cases Consumer274ProtectionCasesHandled Unemployment123CompensationCases * Closed cases include the following case types: Consumer, Employment, and Unemployment Compensation.
Tina Wells considers herself to be a strong woman. Despite having nu merous health issues including lupus, Ms. Wells continued to work during the pandemic to ensure her rent was paid each week.
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“She fought for me like I was her fami ly. It shocked me.”
Tina Wells’ Story
“I have a list of problems. I wake up every morning and I can hardly walk. I don’t take any drugs because I don’t want to be addicted. I push through it, and I pray a lot.”
When an accident at work caused her to lose her job, Ms. Wells got behind on her rent payments. With the closure of businesses and stress of the pandemic, she was unable to secure new employInment.October 2020, after being issued a detainer warrant, Ms. Wells reached out to Legal Aid Society for help. “I wasn’t going to call Legal Aid. I always paid my bills, but then, you know, I got sick, then I hurt my ankle. “
The day she called Legal Aid Society, Ms. Wells planned to pack up her res idence and live in her car. She did not think she could win her case. Working diligently, Attorney Patricia Jones was able to prove that Ms. Wells’ inability to pay rent was in fact impacted by the pandemic. Although Ms. Wells’ landlord refused to participate in the rental relief program, Legal Aid Society was able to secure Ms. Wells enough rental assistance for the balance she owed to the landlord.
Page | 16 Family Law Domestic1,517AbuseCasesHandled Victims248ofStalking 217 Victims of Sexual Violence 1,974CasesClosed *Closed cases include the following case types: Family Law and Immigration/ Natural ization. Legal Aid Society | 2021 Annual Report
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Christina Waltman’s Story
When Christina Waltman married her ex-husband, it never crossed her mind that she would one day be homeless. The man she married became a stranger that she did not know. “He was an addict and abusive ... very Likeabusive.”many survivors of domestic violence, Ms. Waltman soon became stuck in a cycle of abuse with her ex-hus band. The fear of losing her home fur ther complicated Ms. Waltman’s ability to leave her spouse. “He abused the dog, beat me up, and broke my glasses, which Legal Aid helped me get a new pair.”
”They’ve helped me in so many ways. They’ve lifted me up, even on a personal level. Even with things that did not have to do with Legal Aid. It’s hope when you didn’t have hope.”
Eventually, Ms. Waltman’s fear became a reality after her husband got arrested for assaulting her. Unable to pay her rent, Ms. Waltman lost her home and began living in her truck with her dog. By reaching out to Legal Aid Soci ety, Ms. Waltman found the hope and strength she needed to file for divorce and start her life over. She was able to work with her advocate and attorney to secure new glasses, find stable housing, and divorce her husband.
Page | 18 Housing Delayed135Evictions Tenants111Foundor Kept Their Housing Homeless581ClientsHelped *Closed cases include the following case types: Federally Subsidized Housing, Private Landlord/ Tenant, Homeownership/Real Property, Public Housing, Mobile Homes, Housing Discrimination, and Mortgage Foreclosures. Legal Aid Society | 2021 Annual Report 1,205ClosedCases
Wayne & Vanessa Cook’s Story
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“We’veOswald.been through so much already. Then Zac came into the picture and helped us with our rent. We would’ve had nothing if we never made that phone call,” Vanessa said.
Wayne and Vanessa Cook never imagined that one day they could lose their car and potentially their home. Facing a mountain of medical issues, Wayne and Vanessa were left unable to work. Following the amputation of Vanessa’s leg, the couple received additional up setting news: a terminal cancer prognosis for Wayne. Their bills began to pile up and they were at risk of becoming homeless. “It’s like a hole that is easy to find yourself in, but impossible to get out of,” Wayne said. After speaking to a friend and having nowhere else to turn, Wayne reached out to Legal Aid Society. Wayne’s intial phone call led to him being connected with Attorney Zac
After Louis Holiday went through cancer treatment, SNAP became a vital resource that ensured he was able to afford the food he needed to maintain his health. Living on a fixed budget, Mr. Holiday was surprised when he was denied for SNAP benefits after recertifying. “I was getting recertified for SNAP benefits, and they sent me a letter denying me due to my income. I thought that was strange because my income had never changed.”
Not only was Mr. Holiday concerned about being denied for recertification, but he was also confused about the number of times he was being recerti fied each year.
“I met with a human service worker and asked how often she recertifies individuals for SNAP. She said once a year, but if you are over 65, once every two years. I told her that I was being recertified every six months.” Soon after, Mr. Holiday reached out to Legal Aid Society. Attorney Madison Baldacci helped Mr. Holiday get recertified for SNAP. “Working with Madison was the best. She was always prompt with keeping me updated on my case and showed a genuine concern for clients and helping them get what they de served.”
Louis Holiday’s Story
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Page | 21 * Closed cases include the following case types: Health, Education, Income Maintenance, Wills/Estates, and Advanced Directives/ Power of Attorney. Legal Aid Society | 2021 Annual Report Health, Benefits and Education SNAP340CasesClients1,691withDisabilities1,077ClosedCases
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Helping a client obtain an expungement can be life changing. However, we recognize that client expungement cases may come with a multitude of other legal and personal issues. In 2021, our attorneys aided clients in navigating financial obstacles like affordable housing, food insecurity, unemployment, and even past court costs that kept them from moving forward. Our Reentry staff worked with clients looking for a second chance in life. To further connect people with prior criminal records to our services, our team got involved in the community by participating in expunge ment clinics and hosting educational outreach programs about ex pungement resources. At Legal Aid Society, we understand that something like reinstatement of a driver’s licenses can be a doorway to more opportunities for our clients.
Reentry
389 Educational Brochures Distributed 194 Open and Closed Expungement Cases Reentry Legal Aid Society | 2021 Annual Report
| 2021 Annual Report
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Looking back at 2021, Middle Tennessee had nearly 30 tornadoes across our service area. Nevertheless, the August flash flood hit Humphreys, Hickman, and Dickson counties in a way that no one expected. We watched as the safety and security of these communities were taken away in moments. Within minutes, people lost their homes, employment, and even their loved ones. The flood left families wondering, “What do I do now?” Many were without food, shelter, or even the most basic necessities. Not only did people have to deal with the emotional and financial impact of the flood, but they were also displaced during a global pandemic. With an increased need for disaster recovery resources, our team hit the ground running. Our clients were faced with hurdles such as: 1. Replacing vital paperwork 2. Avoiding contractor fraud 3. Navigating the FEMA process
Knowing that we could not do the work alone, Legal Aid Society reached out and partnered with organizations like the Community Foundation, local religious organizations, Vanderbilt School of Law, and the Tennessee Department of Com merce and Insurance. Each partnership was vital in helping us host legal clinics, distribute educational booklets, and host online Q&A’s. We are thankful for the opportunity to work alongside these organizations and the disaster survivors to provide support in their time of need.
Disaster Relief
Our Disaster Relief Attorney Bridget Stew art hosted 5 online disaster response educational events for survivors of the 2021 August Floods. We partnered with the Community Founda tion, Vanderbilt School of Law, and Justice for All to host these online events. Aid Society
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John T. Blankenship, Esq. Traci L. CynthiaBrooks(Cindy)
Charita Bennett Hon. Michael (Mike) W. Binkley
Contact Us Practice Group Leads Allison Jones Amelia ZacharyMarlaWilliamLunaBushWilliamsOswald Sub-Practice Group Leads Chay Sengkhounmany Mary PatriciaGillumA.Jones Executive Leadership DarKenya W. Waller Derria Ford Paul LauraSwineyBrown Managing Attorneys Amelia Luna David Kozlowski Iska Hoole J. Kevin Fowler Janet ZacharyPatriciaMarlaAndraeMynattCrismonWilliamsA.JonesOswald For a full list of donors, please visit las.org/who-we-are/financial-information/annual-reports/ 1-800-238-1443 LAS.org Facebook.com/LASMTC LASMTC
A. Cheatham, Esq. Sharon Crane Diane E. Davis
Adrie Rhodes, Walter H. Stubbs, Esq. Hon. Sal W. Varsalona James (Jim) L. Weatherly Jr. David A. Weil
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John (Drew) A. Goddard, Esq. Charles K. Grant, Esq. Cameron R. Hoffmeyer, Esq. Susan L. Kay, Esq. Katie B. Klinghard, Esq. Grant, Charles K. Esq. Rebecca Kopp Tessa N. Lawson, Esp. Turner McCullough Jr. Misty M. Phy Erin P. Polly Mozianio S. (Trey) III Reliford
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