LegaL aid of Western Missouri

Transcription

Legal Aid of Western Missouri - 2014 Annual Report
What’s Inside
Introduction
1
Success Stories
11
Message From Executive Director
17
Practice Areas
18
Case Statistics
23
Volunteer Attorney Project
25
Where We Work
29
Donations
33
Tributes
34
Financials
35
our People
36
Throughout our annual report we use pseudonyms and
stock photos to protect client confidentiality.
Legal Aid of Western Missouri has improved the lives of those in need through quality
legal assistance since 1964. Legal Aid provides free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance
to people who need it most and can afford it least. With offices in downtown Kansas City,
Joplin, St. Joseph, Warrensburg and a neighborhood office on Kansas City’s Westside,
Legal Aid serves a 40-county area where 287,000 people live in poverty.
www.lawmo.org
Legal Aid of Western Missouri ON facebook
@LegalAidTweets on TWITTER
Cover quote & inspiration: Anthony Burrill
In 2014, our 57
attorneys, 28
paralegals, 13 clerical
and 9 admin staff
provided FREE legal
services to 13,972
clients.
(That’s just the tip of the iceberg!)
In 2014, Legal Aid
helped 1,602 clients
who were victims of
domestic violence.
We helped 978
with healthcare
issues, plus about
a thousand more in
housing cases.
(Hold on! There is so much more.)
In 2014, 9% of
our clients were
Hispanic, 23% were
African-American
and 30% were elderly
or disabled.
100% were lowincome, but that
doesn't begin to
tell our incredibly
diverse story.
Statistics and
demographics
quantify need. They
justify funding.
(They are very important.)
But numbers don’t
put a face on our
organization or
show you how our
work impacts your
neighbors and
your community.
Numbers are not
nearly as powerful as
the stories of the
individual lives that
are forever changed.
We worked hard
in 2014; and
thanks to you and
your passion for
justice, we had a
great year.
(Go ahead...see for yourself.)
With her Legal Aid attorney's help, Sandy escaped an abusive
marriage and is ready to start the next chapter of her life.
this is sandy
(Your donations paid for the attorney she needed!)
Sandy loved her job at the dental office, but at home, she suffered years of abuse from her husband, Edward. The
violence intensified and Sandy knew she had to leave. She contacted the police and was told to go to the nearest
domestic violence shelter.
At the shelter, Sandy filed for a protective order and the shelter advocate referred her to Legal Aid. Legal Aid’s adult
abuse attorney represented Sandy in a fiercely contested trial and the judge ultimately ruled in Sandy’s favor. Sandy
obtained a Full Order of Protection that allowed her to return to her home. After the protective order hearing, Edward
demanded possession of the home and most of their belongings in a divorce action. Sandy called Legal Aid for help.
Another Legal Aid attorney handled the divorce and Sandy was allowed to keep her home.
Sandy appreciated all the help she received from Legal Aid and the women’s shelter. She asked her employer to
consider offering free dental cleanings to all residents of the shelter and the dental group embraced the idea!
11
Thanks to his paralegal's attention to detail, Arturo kept his
Medicaid & received four years past due Blind Pension benefits.
Meet arturo
(We couldn't have done it without you!)
Arturo, who is legally blind and cannot work, struggled to get by on meager monthly payments he received under
the Supplemental Aid to the Blind program. He contacted Legal Aid after receiving a notice from the Missouri Family
Support Division that his Supplemental Aid to the Blind benefits were being terminated and he had been approved
for Blind Pension benefits. Arturo did not understand the difference between these programs and was concerned
that he would lose his Medicaid coverage because of the benefit change.
A Legal Aid paralegal advised Arturo that his Medicaid coverage would continue. The paralegal also knew that Arturo
should never have been on the supplemental program. He should have been receiving significantly greater benefits,
known as Blind Pension, from 2009 when he was first determined legally blind.
The Legal Aid paralegal contacted a supervisor with the Family Support Division (FSD) in an attempt to resolve the
matter. For weeks, FSD ignored e-mail communications from the paralegal and refused to make Arturo’s file available
for review. The paralegal then requested a hearing concerning the agency’s decision that Arturo first became eligible
in December 2013. Once the hearing was scheduled, the agency had to provide Arturo’s file for review.
After reviewing the case file and obtaining copies of the documents that would undoubtedly guarantee a favorable
hearing decision, the paralegal contacted the agency one last time to request a settlement. This time, they agreed
that Arturo was entitled to Blind Pension benefits from May 2009. They dismissed the hearing and two weeks later,
Arturo received $25,100, the cash benefits due him from 2009 through 2013.
Upon receipt of his check, Arturo purchased a burial plan for himself and placed the balance in a savings account.
13
Beth Ann is managing her mental illness & has moved out of
her abusive father's home. She had Legal Aid on her side.
14
this is beth ann
(Your support really did make a difference!)
Beth Ann, 28, grew up in a home where being a female was of little value. Her father and brother spent years telling
her she was insignificant. To keep her in her place, Beth Ann’s father would often beat her. One time he beat her in the
backyard where a neighbor saw what was happening and called the police. The police came and took Beth Ann to a
domestic violence shelter. Beth Ann was taken to shelters repeatedly as a result of her father’s abuse. With nowhere
else to go, she would end up back at her father’s house.
Beth Ann suffered from major anxiety and bipolar disorder and was unable to keep a job. Feeling helpless and
depressed, she tried to take her own life. After her suicide attempt, Beth Ann set two goals: 1) to secure an income to
live on her own; and 2) to continue therapy so that she could take care of herself and get healthy.
Beth Ann applied for and was denied Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. She came to Legal Aid for help
with her SSI appeal. Beth Ann met with a Mental Healthcare Access attorney who explained her rights and how Legal
Aid could help her appeal the denial of benefits. Her attorney also worked with Beth Ann's medical caseworker to
make sure Beth Ann attended her appointments and stayed medically compliant.
Beth Ann’s Legal Aid attorney gathered all available medical records about her mental health issues and met with
Beth Ann to prepare her for the SSI appeal hearing. The Legal Aid attorney presented evidence at the appeal hearing
and the administrative law judge ruled in Beth Ann’s favor, finding her to be disabled and eligible for SSI benefits. Her
attorney was also able to secure retroactive income to the date of Beth Ann’s original application.
Beth Ann now has a steady source of income that will allow her to manage her mental illness and move out of her
father's home and on with her life.
15
We work to
ensure fair play
in a complex
system that is
stacked against
our low-income
neighbors.
16
A message from the Executive Director
2014 brought some major successes for Legal Aid and
In spite of all of our efforts, we are still able to help
our clients. It also brought reminders of how far we
only a fraction of the people who desperately need
have to go in the fight for Justice for All.
our assistance.
We had a good year. Our talented and dedicated staff
Nothing demonstrates the justice gap more clearly
continue to do excellent work fighting for the essen-
than a study that the four Missouri Legal Aid pro-
tial rights of low-income people, including victims
grams conducted in the first half of 2014. The pro-
of domestic violence, people with permanent and
grams pooled our data and found that, statewide,
total disabilities who need access to medical care and
from January through June, because of inadequate
the means to support themselves, the elderly facing
funding, we turned away more than 1,200 victims of
wrongful foreclosures, veterans living on the street
domestic violence, with children, who needed divorces
and Kansas City area neighborhoods trying to eradi-
or child custody orders to escape their abusers.
cate blighted properties (see our picture book showing some of our successes with abandoned properties here: www.lawmo.org/beforeafter/).
New projects that we started in 2014 include: a project to help people with serious mental health problems
get the treatment and benefits they need; a project to
help senior homeowners transfer clear title to their
homes to their loved ones upon their death—keeping
urban housing from becoming abandoned and pre-
For the vast majority of these victims, when Legal Aid
cannot help them, no one can. So, many of them were
left with no choice but to return, with their children,
to their abuser. It’s heartbreaking.
We thank all of you, who have donated your time, your
money or both to Legal Aid and to our fight to make
justice accessible to all. Your support allows us to serve
hundreds of people we would otherwise turn away.
serving millions of dollars of urban core wealth; advocacy for families and individuals trying to get access to
healthcare through the Affordable Care Act; and a partnership with the Missouri Department of Corrections
to get mental health care for prisoners released from
prison with serious mental health problems.
Gregg Lombardi
Executive Director
17
Our Practice Areas
Every day, we help low-income individuals and families
with disabilities who have accessibility or accommoda-
defend their homes from foreclosure or eviction, protect
tion challenges needing resolution so they may enjoy
themselves from domestic violence, enforce their rights
housing on an equal basis as nondisabled tenants. We
to be free from illegal collection practices and preda-
help other clients with eligibility disputes for public
tory lending, and affirm their rights to veterans’ benefits,
and subsidized housing. Our housing attorneys and
health and mental-health care and other necessary ser-
paralegals regularly provide advice or representation
vices to which they have a legal right.
to help our clients avoid wrongful evictions, secure
wrongfully withheld security deposits and correct
Family Law/Domestic Violence Protection
improper rent calculations.
For more than 30 years, Legal Aid’s largest practice area
has been domestic violence prevention. Legal Aid’s
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
experienced family law advocates help ensure lasting
The Economic Development Unit represents nonprofit
safety for survivors of domestic violence and their chil-
community organizations in neighborhood improve-
dren. We provide legal representation to low-income sur-
ment activities, including the creation of low-income
vivors of abuse and secure protective orders, establish
housing in Kansas City. Staff attorneys provide legal
paternity, obtain divorces and establish child custody
assistance to neighborhood associations seeking to
and child support orders. Due to our limited resources,
remedy vacant and blighted homes, to nonprofit social
our attorneys accept only cases that involve domestic
service providers for low-income residents and to com-
violence and priority is given to those in which children
munity development corporations seeking to reha-
are at risk.
bilitate and develop residential units in their neigh-
Effective legal representation, combined with our ability to refer clients to other community resources for
assistance with non-legal matters, has proven to be
one of the most effective means of stopping domestic violence for our clients. With Legal Aid’s assistance,
domestic violence survivors are able to achieve physical safety and financial security. With this support,
victims are more likely to leave their abusers and have
the personal and financial capacity to establish a life
free from abuse.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
Legal Aid’s housing advocates provide a broad array
of legal services to clients living in poverty. We focus
18
borhoods. Legal services include property acquisition,
financing, real estate closing and syndication, tax abatement, zoning and contracts with service providers.
HEALTHCARE/STATE BENEFITS
Legal Aid represents people who experience problems
with state-administered public assistance programs.
These programs include MO HealthNet for the Aged,
Blind and Disabled (Medicaid), Medicaid Spend Down,
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified LowIncome Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), temporary assistance, food stamps, childcare assistance, Blind Pension,
Supplemental Aid to the Blind and home and community-based services, among others.
on public housing and subsidized housing. Housing
Legal Aid also provides assistance to families, children
Authority-KC public housing and section 8 vouchers
and pregnant women to obtain and maintain Medicaid
alone include 10,000 families. We also represent people
coverage. We provide legal representation to individual
clients at administrative hearings and in negotia-
taxes and are faced with tax sales. Legal Aid helps
tions with state agencies. We also provide advice and
home-owners save their homes through tax redemp-
counsel to clients regarding eligibility requirements
tion contracts, Chapter 13 bankruptcies or legal redress
for public benefits programs. Our partnerships with
due to deficiencies in tax sale proceedings.
Truman Medical Center, Mosaic Life Care and other
regional healthcare providers creates one of the larg-
EMPLOYMENT LAW
est Medicaid appeals networks in the country, provid-
Legal Aid assists many workers to obtain unemploy-
ing access to medical care for hundreds of low-income
ment benefits when they are terminated from employ-
people every year.
ment through no fault of their own. Staff also advise
We conduct extensive community outreach and education about public benefits. This work improves the quality
of our clients’ lives through increased access to healthcare, food assistance and income support programs.
FEDERAL BENEFITS
Legal Aid provides assistance to clients with federal
benefit claims. Staff represent clients in administrative
hearings and in court to ensure they receive the public benefits to which they are entitled. Typical claims
involve benefits such as Social Security, Supplemental
Security Income and Medicare.
FORECLOSURE PREVENTION
Saving the homes of low-income, elderly and disabled
homeowners is a Legal Aid priority. Through litigation
in state and federal courts, we challenge deficiencies
in the foreclosure process and frequently are able to
stop foreclosure sales or to set aside legally invalid
sales. Legal Aid also negotiates directly with loan servicers to pursue loss mitigation options, including loan
modifications to reduce interest rates and payments.
employees regarding their rights under state and federal equal employment laws.
CONSUMER
Legal Aid advises and represents low-income clients,
particularly seniors living on Social Security, in a variety of consumer issues. These include cases involving
utility shutoffs, predatory loans, home repair, warranty
claims, illegal and unfair debt collection practices and
other debtor-creditor issues.
IMMIGRATION LAW PROJECT
Legal Aid staff represents individuals and their families
in immigration cases to evaluate immigration benefit
options and fee waivers, if applicable. Legal Aid staff
provides comprehensive services and advice to aid
individuals and families in obtaining United States
citizenship, residence status for family members and
work permits. Staff also assist with renewing or replacing permanent resident cards and US passports, as well
as proving a child’s United States citizenship from a US
citizen parent.
We counsel homeowners and tenants on their legal
Additionally, Legal Aid works with victims of violent
options before and after a home is foreclosed and pro-
crimes and domestic violence to provide advice and
vide legal representation when needed.
evaluate immigration benefit options, including train-
At times, homeowners living on a small retirement or
disability income fall behind in paying their property
ing for domestic violence shelter caseworkers and
other organizations assisting battered immigrants and
those who are victims of violent crimes.
19
serving those who served our country
Missouri is home to more than 494,000 veterans.
For many, access to justice is beyond their financial means, yet it is critically needed for a veteran’s successful transition to civilian life. Veterans
face legal issues that are barriers to employment,
family stability, and economic security.
Physical and mental injuries sustained in combat often compound these legal problems.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain
injuries or alcohol and drug dependencies can
complicate what otherwise might be a straightforward legal problem. If not resolved, many
of these legal issues result in loss of housing
and employment.
The Veterans Administration surveyed veterans and asked them to rank their most critical
“unmet needs” that contributed to their homelessness. In 2012, four of the top 10 identified
needs involved legal assistance.
In 2013, Legal Aid of Western Missouri launched
the Veterans Relief Project to provide a broad
range of civil legal services for veterans and
their families.
foreclosures, build and preserve economic security by helping clients qualify for federal and
state benefit, protect income and benefits from
abusive debt collection practices and strengthen
families by resolving child support problems.
The majority of cases in this Project begin as
referrals from community partners. Legal Aid
collaborates with organizations already providing a range of services to veterans and
supplements their work by providing access
to justice to a historically underserved population. Referral agencies include: Kansas City VA
Medical Center; the Salvation Army Kansas City;
Catholic Charities of Kansas City – St. Joseph;
and reStart, Inc.
Legal Aid is also a proud partner with the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA)
in the Military Matters program to provide
legal assistance to veterans. Legal Aid's role is
to assist low-income veterans with critical legal
issues. The KCMBA's role is to find volunteers
to provide legal assistance to veterans who are
over Legal Aid's income eligibility guidelines or
who Legal Aid otherwise cannot represent.
The Veterans Relief Project’s services avert
homelessness by preventing evictions and
"My Legal Aid attorney was careful to explain the system
and procedures to me in a way that I could understand."
20
– George
Veterans Relief project was there for ted
Ted has ongoing mental health problems, some of which stemmed from being
homeless for more than 20 years. Ted served in the National Guard for five
years. Unfortunately, his service did not qualify him to receive medical care
through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
A community partner referred Ted to Legal Aid's Veterans Relief Project. His
Legal Aid attorney helped him obtain MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and
Disabled. He now receives regular care, both mental and physical. The agency
that referred Ted to the Project helped him obtain housing.
Thanks to the Veterans Relief Project and the partner agency, Ted has access
to medical care and a safe place to live.
Legal Aid's special projects
Abandoned Housing Act Project (Kansas City)
Abandoned Housing Act Project (St. Joseph)
Advocates for Family Health
Affordable Care Act Project
Volunteer Attorney Project Special Projects:
•
•
•
Medical Legal Partnerships with:
•
•
•
•
Barton County Memorial Hospital
Mosaic Life Care
•
•
•
•
Kansas City CARE Clinic
Truman Medical Center
Mental Healthcare Access Project
Post-Foreclosure Task Force
Project Assist-Northwest (protective orders)
Domestic Violence Intervention
Education Project
Elderly Outreach Program
Homeless Outreach
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Attorney
Panel
•
•
Neighborhood Adoption Project
Pro Bono Program for Bankruptcy
Litigation
Migrant Farmworkers Project
Neighborhood Attorney Project
Beneficiary Deed Project
Mentorship Project
Beneficiary Deed Project
Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
Abandoned Housing Act Project
•
•
•
Project Consent (guardianships)
Pro Se Dissolution of Marriage Clinics
Transactional Law Project
Protecting Immigrant Families Project
(protective orders)
Rural Assistance Now (protective orders)
Veterans Relief Project
Voices in Court (protective orders)
Zombie Debt Eradication Program
Specialty Court Programs with Kansas City
Municipal Court:
•
•
•
Drug Court
Mental Health Court
Veterans’ Treatment Court
21
The Cycle of Poverty and Mental Health
The relationship between poverty and mental
illness often teeters like a seesaw; when one side
is off-balance, it can’t help but affect the other.
Individuals with mental health issues often live
in poverty and poverty is a risk factor for poor
mental health. One aggravates the other.
For low-income people with mental health
issues, the Medicaid application process is particularly challenging. Because these individuals
cannot afford treatment, there are few, if any,
medical records to prove their illness. They are
trapped. They cannot get treatment because
they do not have Medicaid coverage. They cannot get Medicaid coverage because they have
not received treatment demonstrating their
disability. People with untreated mental illness
and no means of support are at high risk of
homelessness or incarceration.
Every year, people with mental illness who
live in the Kansas City area apply for and are
wrongly denied benefits. In 2014, Legal Aid
created the Mental Healthcare Access Project
to help these individuals secure disability benefits. The benefits give our clients stability and
improve their quality of life, which allows them
to concentrate on their mental health issues.
Mental Healthcare Access Project attorneys
represent clients who have been denied SSI,
food stamps, Blind Pension benefits and other
public benefits. Legal Aid collaborates with
a network of mental health service providers, who refer potential clients to the Project.
Referring partners include: ReDiscover, Inc.;
Comprehensive Mental Health; Inc.; and Swope
Health Services.
"Legal Aid turned a seemingly hopeless situation
completely around. Words can not describe the
appreciation I have for the entire staff."
22
– Marta
2014 case statistics
We fight for children, veterans, the ill and disabled, seniors, victims of domestic violence and more.
Family Law & Domestic Violence Protective Orders (45 for children)
Domestic Abuse: Marital Dissolution
Child Custody and Safe Visitation
Pro Se for Marital Dissolutions
Paternity, Child Support & Other
(32.0%)
18.0%
6.2%
3.9%
2.6%
1.3%
1,602
903
309
196
131
63
Housing Federally Subsidized & Other Public Housing
Tenant Rights
Homeownership and Other Housing
Bankruptcy: Foreclosure Prevention
Foreclosure Prevention
Beneficiary Deeds
(21.8%)
7.8%
5.2%
4.2%
1.9%
1.5%
1.2%
1,091
393
262
208
93
76
59
Healthcare Medicaid Appeals
Mo Healthnet Appeals
Healthcare- Other
(19.5%)
15.2%
2.6%
1.7%
978
764
129
85
Public Benefits
Social Security Appeals
Food Stamps
Disability/ SSDI
Income Maintenance
(8.6%)
2.8%
2.2%
1.9%
1.7%
429
139
110
94
86
Consumer Law 6.4%
319
Adult Guardianship, Advance Directives/POA 3.7%
185
Guardianship for Minors
2.5%
126
Immigration/Naturalization
2.5%
124
Education & Employment Issues
1.4%
70
Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
0.9%
47
Non-Profit Groups & Misc.
Total Civil Cases
0.8%
41
5,012
KCMO Municipal Court Clients
8,960
Total 2014 Cases Closed
13,972
23
In 2014, our
VAP attorneys
closed more
than 600 cases,
giving their
clients much
needed access
to justice.
24
Volunteer Attorney Project
The Volunteer Attorney Project (VAP) places eligible clients with private attorneys who agree to provide free legal representation to those who otherwise could not afford it. The private attorneys who volunteer their time through VAP believe
in the principle of equal access to the legal system, of making “justice for all” more than just a promise. These attorneys are
convinced that our legal system must work for all its citizens. They donate their time and considerable talents to make that
ideal a reality.
During 2014, VAP attorneys closed 608 cases representing more than 3,748 hours of legal representation, approximately
$749,600 worth of legal services. The following attorneys accepted new VAP cases in 2014.
KANSAS CITY
GARY BROUILLETTE
RON EDELMAN
TODD ABPLANALP
WALTER BROWN
KENT ERICKSON
MILLARD ALDRIDGE
FRED BRYANT
NICOLE FISHER
DANIEL ALLEN
BRETT BURMEISTER
EDWARD FORD, III
COLLIN ALTIERI
DEANNA BURNS
EDWARD FOSTER
JASON AMERINE
STEPHANIE BURTON
JANE FRANCIS
CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON
JOSEPH CAMBIANO
JAMES FREEMAN, III
DAVID ANDERSON
ROBIN CARLSON
MARSHA FRIEDMAN
ROBYN ANDERSON
LYDIA CARSON
BRIAN GADDY
TERESA L. ANDERSON
ANDREA CHAMBERS
VINCE GAULTIER
ASHLEY ARAMJOO
GINA CHIALA
DOUGLAS GHERTNER
DWIGHT ARN
MATTHEW CLAIR-FEMRITE
BARBARA GLESNER-FINES
JOSEPH BACKER
ROBERT CLARKE
JUAN GOMEZ
ANNE BAGGOTT
GARY COLLINS
ROBERT GORDON
DAVID BARLOW
JOHN COWDEN
CHARLES GOTSCHALL
TRACY BARNES
CHERYL COWHERD
HUNTER GOULD
DAVID BARRETT
CHARLES CURRY
GENE GRAHAM
AMANDA BASRI
DANA CUTLER
STEPHEN GRIFFIN
JACOB BAYER, JR.
KEITH CUTLER
DANIEL HALL
JAMES BELL
PAUL DAVIS
SHANE HAMMAN
JENNIFER BERHORST
TOM M. DEACY
KRISTI HARTMANN
ALYSSA MARIE BERNARD
DAVID DEAN
BLAKE HEATH
JAMES BERNARD, JR.
JAY DEHARDT
NICK HERGOTT
JUDITH BERRY
DANIEL DEVINE
ROD HOFFMAN
MARY ELLEN BIGGE
COULTER DEVRIES
CAMRON HOORFAR
NICK BILLMAN
JANEEN DEVRIES
STEPHEN P. HORN
NANCY BLACKWELL
JONATHAN DILLY
WILLIAM HUBBARD
JONATHAN BORTNICK
MARIE DISPENZA
ALEXANDRA HUTCHINGS
FAITH BRENNAN
JENNIFER DODSON
DALE IRWIN
DOUG BREYFOGLE
BRIAN J. DOHERTY
KRISTEN JACOBS
JOHN M. BRIGG
JENNIFER DOUGAN
CHRIS JAVILLONAR
CATHERYN BROOKS
CARLY DUVALL
KATHLEEN A. JEANETTA
25
Volunteer Attorney Project (continued)
26
JOSEPH JEPPSON
DAVID NEUENDORF
JAMES SWANEY
MAX JEVINSKY
JANET OLIVER
MONICA TANZEY
CARTY JOHANNSEN
DANA OUTLAW
CHRIS TROPPITO
DANA KAISER
NATHAN OWINGS
LAURA TYLER
BARRY KATZ
DENNIS PALMER
WILLIAM VANDIVORT
MATTHEW KENTNER
TEAGUE H. PASCO
RICHARD WAGSTAFF
TERESA KIDD
RYAN PATTON
COURTNEY WAITS
JOHN KILGORE
LINDSAY PERKINS
JOHN WATT
RYAN KILIANY
JIM PETRIE
BRIAN WEBB
ANDREA KIMBALL
STEVEN PETRY
VICTOR WEBER
DEBRA KNAPP
WILLIAM PIEDIMONTE
BERNARD WEINAND
RYAN KNIPP
JOHN R. PINK
DOUG WEMHOFF
CHRIS KORTH
LARRY PITTMAN
FRANK WENDT
ABRAHAM KUHL
MELISSA POSEY
ERIC WESLANDER
JOHN KURTZ
KEVIN PREWITT
STEVEN WHITE
ADAM LABODA
PAM PUTNAM
DANA WILDERS
JESSE LANGFORD
MARGARET RICHARDS
STANLEY WILKINS
MARSHA LANER
ROBERT W. RICHARDS
JOE WILLERTH
THOMAS LASLEY
R. SCOTT RICHART
BARBARA WILLIAMS
LAURI LAUGHLAND
WILLIAM ROBERTS
EDWARD WILLIAMS
TERRY LAWSON, JR.
TRACY L. ROBINSON
LESLIE WILLIAMS
GARY LEFTRIDGE
JEFFREY ROYER
BRENT WINTERBERG
THERESA LEVINGS
JOHN RYAN, JR.
LARRY WRIGHT
JACK LEWIS
NEIL SADER
TRACY WRISINGER
HEATHER LOTTMANN
G. MARK SAPPINGTON
ERNIE YARNEVICH, JR .
HOWARD LOTVEN
KRYSTLE SCHERLING-DUNN
CHRIS YOTZ
HAROLD LOWENSTEIN
KIMBERLY SCHEUERMAN
ERIC ZIEGENHORN
MELISA LUDEMAN
BEN SCHMITT
KAY MADDEN
EMILY SCHWAPPACH
JOPLIN
JEAN MANEKE
MAUREEN SCULLY
TINA LONGNECKER
SHANE MCCALL
JUDITH SHARP
DAVID MEYER
CHRIS MCKINEY
DAVID SHAVER
REBECCA MCMAHON
GINA SIMONE
ST. JOSEPH
TAMEE MCVEY
JOHN M. SIMPSON
DAVID BOLANDER
MARTIN M. MEYERS
WALTER SIMPSON
JIM GRAVES
R.B. MILLER
JOHN SOMMER
JEFFREY LAWYER
TONY MILLER
SHANNON SORENSEN
SCOTT ROSS
CHRIS MIRAKIAN
JANICE STANTON
TOM SUMMERS
JAMES MUELLER
VANESSA STARK
MOLLY NAIL
RACHEL STEPHENS
WARRENSBURG
ROGER NAIL
ROBERT STOPPERMAN
BRANDON BAKER
TOM NANNEY
STEVEN STREEN
KELSEY NAZAR
KRISTEN SWANN
VAP Attorney stepped in and saved Anne's home
Anne, who is elderly and in poor health, received
a hand-written note from an investment company offering to buy her home. Anne had considered selling her house because of her concern that she may not be able keep up with the
maintenance. She called the investment company and scheduled an appointment.
The next day, two men from the company visited with Anne. When they arrived, Anne was
on pain medication, had difficulty standing
and was somewhat disoriented. While the two
walked throughout her home, Anne remained
seated in her living room. After their inspection, the men informed Anne that her home
was in bad shape. They immediately offered
to buy it for $38,000 and quickly produced a document for her signature. Anne believed she may have signed something, but they did not provide her with a copy of any documents.
While Anne was unaware of her home’s value, Jackson county records had appraised the house for nearly three times
the amount offered by the investors.
Later that day, Anne told her friend what happened. The friend realized the two men had taken advantage of Anne.
The next day Anne and her friend went to the investment company’s office. Anne’s friend explained that Anne did
not want to sell her home and that she was on a lot of medication when they met the day before. The investors
refused to void the sale and provided Anne with a copy of the signed document.
Anne contacted Legal Aid for help and was referred to the Volunteer Attorney Project. A longtime volunteer attorney
with extensive litigation experience stepped in to help Anne. After case review and further investigation of Anne’s
claim, the attorney attempted to have the sale rescinded. His initial attempts were unsuccessful.
After extensive research, the attorney arranged to have the property appraised. The attorney filed a Petition for
Declaratory Judgment to Rescind the Sale of Real Estate, asserting among other issues, undue influence and violation of the Missouri Anti-Elderly Financial Exploitation statute.
Upon being served with lawsuit, the investor voluntarily agreed to rescind the sale contract.
The volunteer attorney spent 60 hours representing Anne and saving her home. The attorney also volunteered to
help Anne with other legal matters that will help to prevent her from falling victim to other fraudulent schemes in
the future.
27
Equal justice is
everyone’s fight
and Legal aId
is leading the
charge within
our 40-county
service area.
28
Where We Work
Joplin
Boulevard. The staff includes five attorneys, one para-
The Joplin office provides services to six counties
legal, a legal secretary and several volunteers. For the
along Missouri’s southwest border. The staff consists of
past 41 years, this dedicated Legal Aid team has spe-
four attorneys, two paralegals and one legal secretary.
cialized in providing counsel and representation on
The majority of cases handled by the Joplin office
issues of immigration, economic development, com-
involve victims of domestic abuse seeking Orders of
munity development and housing.
Protection, marriage dissolution, paternity, custody,
visitation and support orders. In addition, the staff
Migrant Farmworkers project
handles cases involving consumer matters, landlord/
Migrant and seasonal farmworkers working in a variety
tenant law, social security cases and public benefits.
of industries in Missouri are served by Legal Aid’s bilin-
Many clients have problems beyond the immediate
legal issues that brought them to a Legal Aid office.
Staff members are active in various organizations that
focus on specific issues facing clients, including domestic violence, homelessness and financial stability. Close
partnerships with community agencies enable Legal
Aid to help clients address these issues.
KANSAS CITy - CENTRAL OFFICE
The Central office in downtown Kansas City maintains
a staff of 37 attorneys, 14 paralegals, 9 administrative
staff, two intake specialists, eight legal secretaries and
three Volunteer Attorney Project staff members. This
location serves clients living in the Kansas City metro
area of Jackson, Clay and Platte counties.
gual MFP staff and volunteers. For the past 30 years,
farmworkers have been represented on public benefits, immigration, educational issues, workplace safety
and pesticide conditions. In 2014, the MFP conducted
an extensive Legal Needs Assessment to evaluate
the legal needs for migrant and seasonal farmworkers throughout Missouri. Currently, the project is in
the process of restructuring the program to meet the
needs of this unique and vulnerable population. The
staff includes one paralegal, a supervising attorney
and two summer interns.
ST. JOSEPH
St. Joseph’s staff of nine includes six attorneys and three
paralegals and serves the 18-county area of northwest
Missouri. In addition, a Medical-Legal Partnership proj-
The Central office is home to Legal Aid’s Municipal
ect operates out of a an office at Mosaic Life Care in
Court Defense Unit. This program is funded by a con-
St. Joseph with one attorney and two paralegals. These
tract with the City of Kansas City and provides repre-
three individuals handle Medicaid appeals.
sentation to low-income clients charged with jailable
offenses in the City’s municipal courts.
KANSAS CITY - WEST OFFICE
Kansas City’s Westside community is served by Legal
Aid’s bilingual staff located in the office on Southwest
The St. Joseph office represents clients in both rural
and urban settings. Many of the cases involve family
law, including marriage dissolution, custody, guardianship and Orders of Protection. In addition, staff handles
cases involving consumer matters, landlord/tenant
29
where we work (continued)
law, social security cases, unemployment denials, util-
has made a broad impact on the client community
ity shut-offs and bankruptcies.
through increased case referrals and improved com-
Community involvement plays a key role in the success
of the St. Joseph office. Staff members are active in a
variety of organizations, committees and task forces
that focus on specific issues facing clients, such as
homelessness, domestic violence, financial stability
and access to services for those in poverty. The staff
also makes regular presentations at various locations
throughout the service area on topics including landlord-tenant and public housing law, consumer law,
legal protection for victims of domestic violence and
legal issues facing senior citizens. As a result, the office
munity education.
WARRENSBURG
The Warrensburg office serves thirteen rural counties in west central Missouri. The staff consists of four
attorneys, three paralegals and one secretary. The
Warrensburg staff handles cases involving consumer
law, housing, domestic violence, landlord/tenant cases
and public benefits issues. The staff maintains a strong
presence in the community and works directly with
local agencies in several counties. Staff members also
make presentations to local groups.
A Valid Driver's license made all the difference
In April of 2014, the Municipal Court Defense Unit of Legal Aid began representing Mary. Mary had a driving while suspended case as well as several other driving
charges. Her Legal Aid attorney advised Mary on how to get her driver’s license
back and she followed the instructions.
Due to Mary’s hard work and her attorney’s advocacy, the city agreed to amend
her driving while suspended charge to the lesser charge of improper registration
and dismiss the remaining cases. As part of the plea, Mary was required to complete fifty hours of community service by picking up trash at a local cemetery.
When Mary began her community service, she was homeless and jobless. She
worked extremely hard and people began to take notice. As a result of connections she made through her community service, she was offered a full time
job as a caregiver for an elderly person and obtained housing in a residential
neighborhood.
Mary credits Legal Aid with helping her turn her life around. She went from living on the street and in shelters to living
in a house with running water and electricity. She has a job she feels proud of and a valid license. Mary is proof that
small feats, like getting a driver's license, coupled with hard work can lead to much greater achievements.
30
Service Area Map
joplin office
kansas city office
ATCHISON
WORTH
NODAWAY
HARRISON
PUTNAM
MERCER
St. Joseph office
SULLIVAN
GENTRY
GRUNDY
HOLT
ANDREW
warrensburg office
DAVIESS
LINN
BUCHANAN
LI
CALDWELL
VI
NG
ST
ON
DE KALB
CLINTON
CARROLL
PLATTE
CLAY
JACKSON
RAY
LAFAYETTE
JOHNSON
SALINE
PETTIS
CASS
HENRY
BATES
ST. CLAIR
BENTON
MORGAN
CAMDEN
HICKORY
VERNON
BARTON
JASPER
NEWTON
McDONALD
Central Kansas City Office
1125 Grand Blvd, Suite 1900
Kansas City, MO 64106
816-474-6750
Joplin
302 South Joplin
Joplin, MO 64801
417-782-1650/800-492-7095
WestSide Kansas City Office
St. Joseph
920 Southwest Blvd.
816-474-9868
706 Felix Street
St. Joseph, MO 64501
816-364-2325/800-892-2101
Warrensburg
305 North Holden
PO Box 396
Warrensburg, MO 64093
660-747-7101/800-892-2943
1125 Grand Boulevard, Suite 1814
Kansas City, Mo. 64106
816-627-4813
31
Your gifts make
a difference
every moment
of every day, in
countless lives
and in countless
communities.
32
2014 Donations & 2014-16 Campaign Pledges
We are grateful to the following firms and individuals who made pledges or donations in excess of $500. Legal Aid is fortunate to have the generous support of such dedicated friends and many others who make our work possible.
PLEDGES & MULTI-YEAR Donations
Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP
Three-year pledge of $225,000
The Children of Beth & Ed Smith
One-year gift of $200,000
Polsinelli, PC
Husch Blackwell, LLP
Stinson Leonard Street, LLP
Bryan Cave, LLP
Humphrey Farrington McClain
Davis Bethune & Jones, LLC
Lathrop & Gage, LC
Seigfreid Bingham
Davis Ketchmark, McCreight & Ivers, PC
Gilmore & Bell, PC
Hughes Hubbard & Reed, LLP
Bartimus Frickleton Robertson & Goza, PC
Dollar Burns & Becker, LC
Spencer Fane Britt & Browne, LLP
One-year pledge of $13,250
Rouse Hendricks German May, PC
Kenner Nygaard DeMarca Kendall, LLC
Shamberg Johnson & Bergman, Chartered
Lewis Rice & Fingersh, LC
Ensz & Jester, PC
The Meyers Law Firm, LC
Gregg F. Lombardi
Erlene & Sandy Krigel Family Fund
Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice, LLC
Jack & Jeanne Bangert
Cohen McNeile & Pappas, PC
Kevin M. Connor
William Dirk Vandever
tHE lAW OFFICES OF Stephen R. Bough
One-year pledge of $2,000
Redfearn Law Firm, PC
Eric Ziegenhorn
Three-year pledge of $750
2014 LAW FIRM, FOUNDATION
& CORPORATION DONATIONS
DONATIONS OF $5,000 & ABOVE
Dentons
Hallmark Cards, Inc. Legal Department
Lordi Marker Family Foundation
Badger & Levings
George K. Baum Foundation
Drs. D. & M. Jarosewycz Memorial
Charitable Gift Fund
Littler Mendelson, PC
Miller & Company, PC
Robb and Robb, LLC
Walters Bender Strohbehn & Vaughan, PC
Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian, PC
Young Professionals Board of
Legal Aid of Western Missouri
DONATIONS OF $500 & ABOVE
Langdon & Emison
2014 INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Gardner
P. John Owen
Karen & Andrew See
Barry M. Katz
Mary M. Steeb & Glen E. Littleton
W. Russell Welsh
Judith & Kent Whittaker
John & Ellen Aisenbrey
Virginia & Matthew Crimmins
Honorable Arthur Federman
David R. & Rita B. Tripp Foundation
Richard Halliburton & Miriam Pepper
Bryan & Linda Johnson
Susan Kephart
Benjamin Mann
Madeleine Marie McDonough
C. Patrick McLarney
John R. Phillips
Mary E. Phillips & Wesley B. Powell
Michael J. Thompson
Mark Andrew Thornhill
J. Michael Vaughan
Gene E. Voigts
Barbara T. Weary
Hillary & Hunter Wolbach
DONATIONS OF $500 & ABOVE
James R. Borthwick
Richard Bruening
Mischa D. Buford Epps
Steven & Linda Dees
Ida Pearl Fain
Charles & Jan German
Gerald M. Handley
Joseph L. Hiersteiner
Paul Hoffmann
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Kaufman
33
Donations & Pledges (continued)
Michelle Stark Kaufman
Richard & Debra Lombardo
Samuel McHenry
Brian T. Meyers
Douglas R. Rushing
Steven J. Streen
Terence J. Thum
Laurence R. & Sylvia K.Tucker
John & Becky Turner
Sharon & Thomas Van Dyke
Neil S. Sader
Lonnie J. Shalton
Rik N. Siro & Teresa Woody
Tracy L. Smedley
Julie Steenson
2014 Tributes
Each year, we receive many heartfelt gifts in memory of loved ones and in honor of family, friends or special occasions.
In honor of Suzy Block by
Audrey Manne
In honor of Gordon Gee by
Gregory L. Vranicar
In memory of Phillip A. Kusnetzky by
Robert Allan Lieberman
In memory of Tom Lillis by
Lisa Gentleman & Arthur Hogg
In honor of Gregg Lombardi by
Hillary & Hunter Wolbach
In honor of Lisa Livingston-Martin by
Nelson & Lucille Wells
In honor of Kevin McKenzie by
Joe McKenzie
In memory of Suzanne Meyers by
Strong Garner Bauer
Paul Bullman
Amy Chmielewski
Mark J. Coco
Nick A. Cutrera
Elaine Eppright
Jennifer Gille Bacon
Justine Marie Goeke
Janice A. Hawley
Langdon & Emison
National Employment Lawyers
Barbara Frazier Lehl
Mary Madden
Marcia Manter
Chester & Lauren Martin
Greg & Emily Monsma
Bruce Allen Moothart
Michael J. Murphy
Joel Ramirez
Bill & Paddi Schwartz
Adrian Jackson & Heather Shinn
Steve & Megan Thornberry
Sally & Tres Tipton
Larry James Tyrl
Steve & Terry White
In memory of Patrick O’Brien
by Robert P. O’Brien
In honor of Richard Halliburton & Miriam Pepper by
Mona J. Randolph
In honor of Lisa Smith by
Daniel P Baker
2014 Endowment Gifts
The Legal Aid of Western Missouri Endowment is a charitable fund at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.
Jack & Jeanne Bangert
Wanda J. Banks
Galen Beaufort
Bruce Bettinger
Lee B. Brumitt
The Bryant Law Firm
Jeffrey A. Burns
DeSimone Pearson, LC
Ronald E. Edelman
Jerald S. Enslein
Cecil Claude Orear, Jr. Estate
Donald W. Giffin
Lawrence R. Hamel
Scott C. Hecht
Katherine Hoggard
Lloyd Koelker
William Raney
The Estate of Margaret L. Sauer
The Children of Beth & Ed Smith
Matthew Joseph Verschelden
Warden Grier, LLP
Lisa A. Weixelman
Every attempt has been made to reflect accurately and completely the names of our generous contributors. We apologize for any
errors or omissions. Space does not permit the listing of every contributor, but we value all of our donors.
34
Financials
2014 revenue
2014 expenses
Federal
Legal Services Corporation - Basic.............................................................................................................................. 1,899,273
Missouri Department of Social Services - Advocates for Family Health............................................................... 250,000
Missouri Department of Public Safety - Violence Against Women Act....................................................................107,952
Legal Services Corporation - Migrant............................................................................................................................. 79,792
City of Kansas City - HUD Fair Housing Assistance Program....................................................................................... 55,440
Mid-America Regional Council - Area Agency on Aging - Legal Services................................................................. 50,170
Internal Revenue Service - Low Income Taxpayer Clinic............................................................................................... 49,433
Missouri Department of Public Safety - Victims of Crime Act.................................................................................... 38,866
West Tennessee Legal Services - HUD Housing Counseling.......................................................................................... 29,001
Mid-America Regional Council - Area Agency on Aging - National Caregiver Support Program...................... 25,850
Kansas Legal Services - Migrant Subgrant.................................................................................................................... 10,615
Northwest Missouri - Area Agency on Aging................................................................................................................. 10,135
City of St. Joseph - Community Development Block Grant............................................................................................ 8,728
Care Connection for Aging Services - Area Agency on Aging....................................................................................... 5,199
Salvation Army - Support Services for Veteran's Families.......................................................................................... 4,832
VantAge Point - Area Agency on Aging.............................................................................................................................. 3,250
Full Employment Council - Department of Labor.......................................................................................................... 1,280
reStart - Support Services for Veteran's Families.............................................................................................................. 81
sub-total........................................................................................................................................................................... 2,629,897
Personnel Costs
Salary - Clerical............................................................... 415,282
Salary - Attorney........................................................... 3,312,832
Salary - Paralegal........................................................ 1,059,754
Salary - Administration.................................................. 718,765
FICA Tax Expense................................................................. 399,542
Health Insurance.............................................................. 909,122
Disability Insurance.......................................................... 44,378
Workers Compensation......................................................15,914
Unemployment Insurance..................................................18,540
Retirement Contribution................................................ 398,705
Retirement Plan Administration.................................... 10,243
sub-total......................................................................... 7,303,077
City, County & State
Missouri Supreme Court - State Court Filing Fee - Basic Civil Legal Services Fund.............................................. 856,401
Missouri Department of Public Safety - State Services to Victims Fund.................................................................. 28,410
Jackson County Community Mental Health Fund.......................................................................................................... 40,000
Jackson County Housing Resource Commission............................................................................................................. 41,000
City of Kansas City - Municipal Court Defense.......................................................................................................... 1,076,994
City of Kansas City - Abandoned Housing Project . .....................................................................................................186,122
City of Kansas City - ZEAL Project.....................................................................................................................................116,392
City of Kansas City - Civil Legal Assistance.................................................................................................................. 101,721
City of Kansas City - Court Fee........................................................................................................................................... 33,618
sub-total........................................................................................................................................................................... 2,480,658
United Ways (Includes donor designations)................................................................................................................. 262,211
I.O.L.T.A. (Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts).............................................................................................................. 229,896
Foundations, Churches and Other Organizations
Truman Medical Center, Inc. - Medicaid Appeals Project.......................................................................................... 779,000
Mosiac Life Care/ Heartland Health............................................................................................................................... 254,620
St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City.................................................................................................................................... 151,324
Health Care Fdn of Greater Kansas City - Medical Legal Partnership..................................................................... 37,725
Health Care Fdn of Greater Kansas City - Mental Health Court................................................................................ 33,000
Greater KC LINC, Inc............................................................................................................................................................... 30,965
W. J. Brace Charitable Trust - Bank of America N.A., Trustee...................................................................................... 25,000
Missouri Bar Foundation.................................................................................................................................................... 13,411
Nevada Regional Medical Center...................................................................................................................................... 11,136
Oppenstein Brothers Fdn. - Commerce Bank, N.A., Trustee........................................................................................... 10,000
Health Care Fdn of Greater Kansas City - Mental Healthcare Access........................................................................ 3,584
Barton County Memorial Hospital..................................................................................................................................... 2,893
Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation................................................................................................................................ 2,500
Guy I. Bromley Trust - Bank of America N.A., Trustee......................................................................................................... 900
Junior League of St. Joseph...................................................................................................................................................... 200
Salvation Army - Pathways to Hope . ..................................................................................................................................... 146
sub-total........................................................................................................................................................................... 1,356,404
Non-Personnel Costs
Audit.......................................................................................27,000
Data Processing....................................................................15,296
Travel.................................................................................... 82,617
Rent...................................................................................... 363,690
Utilities................................................................................... 7,961
Janitorial............................................................................... 4,132
Office Supplies..................................................................... 69,071
Printing................................................................................. 33,646
Postage.................................................................................. 46,682
Equipment Rental/Maintenance...................................... 72,709
Law Library.......................................................................... 94,833
Malpractice/Liability Insurance.................................... 39,059
Telephone and Communication........................................ 92,029
Dues and Fees....................................................................... 40,661
Training................................................................................ 41,781
Litigation................................................................................ 9,514
Miscellaneous................................................................... 210,859
Contract Services to Program....................................... 156,706
Contract Services to Clients............................................ 77,173
Fixed Asset Interest & Depreciation................................ 79,117
sub-total......................................................................... 1,564,536
TOTAL EXPENSES.............................................................. $8,867,613
Other (Fundraising, cy pres and Miscellaneous).................................................................................................... 2,522,715
TOTAL REVENUE.................................................................................................................................................................. 9,481,781
LESS CONTRIBUTIONS / TRANSFERS INTO ENDOWMENT FUND.......................................................................................... (447,705)
REVENUE AVAILABLE FOR OPERATIONS............................................................................................................................ $9,034,076
35
Our People
Our staff and volunteers are dedicated individuals who believe in justice for all.
Board of Trustees
Lisa Weixelman
President
Hon. Jerry Venters
Vice President
Shauna Woody-Coussens
Treasurer
Blake Heath
Secretary
Janell Avila
Kendra Mosley Ayuk
Cristel Beamer
Dave Bolander
Ronda Calvert
MICHAEL T. CAREY
Sharon Courter
Hon. Charles Curless
Matt Dameron
Mary Jo Draper
Saundra Hayes
Mary Hill
Susan Hill
Christine Hudec
Matt Keenan
Hon. Meryl L. Lange
Benjamin Mann
Hon. Mike Manners
David Meyer
Maxine Phillips
Dennis Robinson
bETH tONG
David Tushaus
David Vogel
gILLIAN rUDDY wILCOX
Brad Yeretsky
JFA Campaign Leadership
committee
C. Patrick McLarney, Co-chair
Jerome T. Wolf, Co-chair
Gordon D. Gee, Co-chair
Grant L. Davis, Co-chair
Willie J. Epps, Jr., Co-chair
Jack T. Bangert
Jeffrey Burns
Max Carr-Howard
Steve Dees
Leanne DeShong
Marie Dispenza
Mary Jo Draper
36
William D. Farrar
Erlene W. Krigel
Theresa L. F. Levings
J. Gary McEachen
brendan mcpherson
Timothy D. O’Leary
Dennis Palmer
Robert J. Payne
Adam Sachs
Andrew See
Mark Thornhill
Sen. Charles Wheeler
Judith Whittaker
VAP ADVISORY BOARD
John Aisenbrey
DWIGHT ARN
Tracy L. Barnes
KATIE CRONIN
Gardiner Davis
JANEEN DEVRIES
Jonathan N. Dilly
W. Brian Gaddy
AMBER Hackett
TEDRICK HOUSH
DALE IRWIN
Shannon O'bryan
BILLIE ORR
WARREN WADE
Legal Aid Staff
Joplin office
Shelley Boston
Autumn Deer
Sarah Canada
Lisa Livingston-Martin
Shannon McKinney
Pamela Roychaudhury Bhend
Jeffiner Thompson
Central office-KC
LATRICIA ADAMS
BRIAN ADKINS
KATHY ANDERSON-REINKE
BROOKE BIGGS
LAURA BORNSTEIN
TAMA BYRNES
JULIA COTTER
SCOTT CRIQUi
JAMES CRUMP
KAREN CUTLIFF
ERIN DARK
EFFIE DAY
CRISSY DEL PERCIO
MARY BETH DENZER
JANET DOBSON
JACKIE DOMIAN
CHRISTY DRAY
DANIELLE ELAM-JOBE
MEGAN FREDERICKSON
CHRISTINA FROMMER
LISA N. GENTLEMAN
BETSY GRAN
KARA HARMS
CLAYTON HASSER
VINCE HAYES
WARREN HAYTER
KAYLA HOGAN
ALICIA JOHNSON
KAREN KARNES
SUSAN KEPHART
SELINA KHAN
SANDRA KINCAID
LISA KIVETT
CAROL KLINKENBERG
KATHLEEN KOROSEC-HOLMES
JENNIFER LESSARD
CHARITY LINDGREN
GREGG LOMBARDI
EDDIE LORENZO
PATRICIA LUKENBILL
PAMELA MAY
IESHIA MCDONALD
SAMUEL MCHENRY
SUSAN MCRILL
DALE MEYER
BECKY MCGILL MORRISON
JOSH MURPHY
TRACIE NEWMAN
EMILY O'CONNOR
MICHAEL O’GORMAN
SARA OLAZAR
BILLIE ORR
KAITEE PURDON
JESSICA REUSCH
CYNTHIA ROUNTREE
CODY RUSSELL
EVELYN SALAZAR
STACY SCHAUB
SILYA SHAW
MEGAN SIMPSON
JAMES SMITH
WAYNE SMITH
GERALD SORENSEN
GWEN SOWDER
RIVER TEMPELIN
Evan Thompson
CLAUDIA TRUJILLO
WARREN WADE
LIDA WATSON
MAURA WEBER
MADISON WESSELMAN
KATIE WOOD
JANE WORLEY
KIM WRIGHT
WEST OFFICE-KC
BRENDA ROMO ALBA
MICHAEL DUFFY
YOLANDA HERNANDEZ
PETER HOFFMAN
RON NGUYEN
JENNIFER WIEMAN EARLES
JEFF WILLIAMS
ST. Joseph Office
Linda Clark
Lisa Clark
Chris Crain
Tiffany Hollon
John Keiffer
Melissa Lawyer
Jerre Moore
Nhu Nguyen
Peter Rottgers
Jeremy Swenson
David Torsiello
Doug Tschauder
Warrensburg office
Kelly Bartlett
Kim Basinger
Jacqueline Duvall
Susan Hanrahan
Abbie Rothermich
Kaylie Schmutz
Bill Shull
Jesi Stanley
Migrant Farmworkers
Project
Erin Bartling
Kelsey Gibbs
(Jesuit Volunteer Corps)
this is alice
Alice has serious kidney problems and is on dialysis. When her grandson, Kenny, was ten
years old, she took him in because his father was homeless and no one had seen his mother
for years. Alice and Kenny were tenants in Section 8, subsidized housing in Kansas City.
One day Kenny’s middle school teacher found a small amount of marijuana in Kenny's
backpack. Kenny, who has no history of drug use, insisted that the marijuana was planted.
No charges were filed against him, but the police reported the incident to Alice’s landlord.
The landlord issued a notice of eviction to Alice, saying that Kenny’s possession of any marijuana at school violated the Housing Authority’s Drug Free policy.
Alice had no other means of obtaining housing than through public or Section 8 housing. If
she had been evicted, she would not be eligible for public or subsidized housing. She came
to Legal Aid for help because she was afraid that she and Kenny would be homeless.
Two Legal Aid attorneys represented Alice. One negotiated with the landlord to stop the
eviction and a second negotiated with the Housing Authority to maintain her eligibility
for subsidized housing. Initially, the landlord offered to let Alice stay in her apartment, but
only if she evicted her grandson. Kenny, however, would have been homeless and Alice
refused to throw him out.
Facing Legal Aid’s defense of the cases, the landlord agreed to give Alice and Kenny time
to move to another Section 8 apartment and the Housing Authority ultimately agreed to
allow Alice to keep her housing voucher.
As a result of Legal Aid's representation, Alice and Kenny have a stable, affordable home.
meet Joe
Joe was homeless and was repeatedly picked up for trespassing at Crown Center, where he slept
on a corner in a box. Joe had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, but wasn't medication compliant. He
was not engaged with a community-based behavioral health center except to go to Swope Health
Services once a week to take a shower.
Thanks to Legal Aid, Joe received the help
he needed and no longer sleeps in a box.
A Crisis Intervention Team officer came to court to let the Mental Health Court team know that he
felt Joe was decompensating (he was actively more psychotic, with paranoia, auditory and visual
hallucinations and increased agitation) An outreach worker at Swope Health Services made contact
with Joe and after several months of working with him on an intensive level, Joe entered the Mental
Health Court program.
With help from his Legal Aid attorney, Joe graduated and now has stable housing, is medication
compliant, has a case manager and has not had police contact since August, 2012.
legal aid of western missouri - 2014 annual report
www.lawmo.org
Central Office
1125 Grand Blvd, Ste 1900
816-474-6750
St. Joseph
706 Felix street
St. Joseph, MO 64501
816-364-2325/800-892-2101
West Office
920 Southwest Blvd
816-474-9868
Joplin
302 South Joplin
Joplin, MO 64801
417-782-1650/800-492-7095
Warrensburg
305 North Holden
Warrensburg, MO 64093
660-747-7101/800-892-2943
P.O. Box 413223
Kansas City, Mo. 64141
816-968-2227

LegaL aid of Western Missouri

Transcription

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