March 2009 e-Newsletter
Transcription
March 2009 e-Newsletter
March 18 , 2009 Volume 2 Issue 1 614 W. National Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53204 (414) 384-7900 www.centrolegalwisconsin.org THE ADVOCATE Open House: Centro Legal, Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, and the Council for the Spanish Speaking Centro Legal Board Member Domingo Cruz, Dr. Tony Baez from the Council for the Spanish Speaking, and Centro Legal Board Member Jessica Poliner visit with each other during the open house. The three organizations located in the “Spanish Center” hosted an open house on January 22, 2009. Guests were invited to travel through the building to learn about the services offered by each organization. La Merenda, La Quimera Cocina Boricua, Lopez Bakery, “The National” Café, and WOW Distributing/ Miller donated the appetizers and beverages. Guests began their evening on the second floor, tasting appetizers and learning about Centro Legal’s family law and criminal defense services. Guests tested their legal knowledge at a criminal law trivia game. Elm Grove Junior Guild graciously presented a grant of $5000 to Centro Legal at the event. Guests then moved to the mezzanine for dessert and coffee and to learn about services offered by the Council for the Spanish Speaking. To conclude the tour, guests visited the offices of the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, and were invited to enter a raffle. Centro Legal Board President, Harvey Kurtz, and Centro Legal Interim Director, Lisette Khalil, accept a grant check from representatives of the Elm Grove Junior Guild. The $5000 will be used to fund Centro Legal services for domestic violence. The open house brought together active community members to support the missions of these three organizations whose efforts reach thousands of Milwaukee citizens. The following is a letter from a recent client. “David” was charged with Operating After Revocation (of his driver’s license). David wanted a fast resolution case, but Centro Legal criminal attorney, Michael Balter, encouraged him to take the time to try to get his license back. Attorney Balter, and volunteer attorney Ilana Avital, helped guide David through many unexpected obstacles and, as David writes below he is pleased with the results. “Dear Centro Legal, Hello Michael Balter and Ilana Avital. I want to thank you for all that you have done for me with my case. I much appreciate the time and effort that you two have provided and recommend you and Ilana to other clients that may have similar issues. I just want to talk about the last court date; that Michael Balter was extremely helpful and got me through what could have been disastrous. I had no idea that the things that Michael did for me were even possible. I cannot stress enough that you two were awesome, and very professional. Even though my intentions were to finish court as soon as possible, I now realize that it was all worth it. Thank you again. Now that court is all done, I can concentrate on school and my career. Keep up the great work, and I wish you two the best in the future.” Centro Legal Luncheon a Success Thanks again to our sponsors: On February 18, 2009, Centro Legal hosted its first annual luncheon at the Italian Community Center. Nearly 200 people attended the event, and attendees helped to raise just over $10,000 that will fund services for low-income clients. The program included a presentation of Centro Legal’s services and accomplishments, results from the Supporting Families Research Project, and keynote speaker, Judge Michael Dwyer. Judge Dwyer spoke on the causes of the high number of pro se litigants in Milwaukee County Courts and emphasized Centro Legal’s efforts to helping these litigants through free consultations, family law classes, and representing clients who without affordable representation would likely go to court alone. MC Daniel Vaccaro, Michael Best & Friedrich, presents Centro Legal Attorney Michael Balter with his plaque for the “Outstanding Advocate Award.” The “Centro Legal Excellence Award” was presented to MayTong Chang, former Centro Legal client and current Executive Director of the Hmong American Women’s Association, for her embodiment of Centro Legal’s mission of helping clients turn hope into action. The “Outstanding Advocate Award” was presented to Centro Legal attorney Michael Balter for his outstanding contributions in the area of criminal law. Thanks to the efforts of the Luncheon Planning Committee, the generous sponsors, and the attendance of many new and current supporters, the luncheon was truly a success! To see more photos from the luncheon, visit www.centrolegalwisconsin.org MayTong Chang, former Centro Legal client and Executive Director of the Hmong American Women’s Association, accepts the “Centro Legal Excellence Award” Centro Legal Board of Directors Event Planning Committee Volunteers Aliah Berman, Foley & Lardner LLP Yvonne Brodsky, Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee Noah Domnitz, Domnitz & Skemp, S.C. Sara Harvey, Marquette University Lauren Luke, Foley & Lardner LLP Lou Pieh, Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP Jessica Poliner, Metavante Corporation Caroline Torres, La Causa Daniel Vaccaro, Michael Best & Friedrich Volunteer Highlight: Maureen Post Pick N’ Save “We Care” Program Visit the Customer Service counter at any local Pick N’ Save and register your Advantage Card with our account number 109070. A percentage of your purchase will benefit Centro Legal. Volunteer Opportunity: After returning from Central America in 2007, Maureen Post searched for a volunteer position that would allow her to continue to use her Spanish. At the same time, Centro Legal received a grant to begin the Supporting Families Research Project and needed volunteers to serve on the committee and conduct client surveys. This opportunity seemed like the perfect match for Maureen’s goals. Maureen was able to use her Spanish to conduct phone interviews with clients throughout their cases. She was surprised how willing clients were to share their stories. As a former social worker, Maureen was able to provide a sense of comfort for the clients so they could give honest answers to often difficult questions. “I strongly believe in the mission of Centro Legal, but more so, I believe in the individuals who stand behind and are committed to the much needed cause each and every day,” said Maureen. “I was able to work with such passionate people on the research committee. There was a range of professionals; individuals working in health care, academics, law, and social work. I believe the diversity of the committee greatly benefited the study.” As a staff writer for OnMilwaukee.com, an online daily news magazine, Maureen is able to incorporate her interests of social justice, international politics and urban development into her professional career, and also by volunteering at Centro Legal. “My experiences at numerous non-profits and family-based organizations in Milwaukee allows me to say, without reservation, that Centro Legal’s reality meets the ideal. The staff is giving, kind, and most importantly, respectful to the client. They do their jobs with grace and humility. Centro Legal provides a service for individuals, often in desperate situations, who would otherwise be forced to face an intimidating system on their own,” said Maureen. SAVE THE DATE! Women Helping Women August 6, 2009 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Intercontinental Hotel For more information or to register visit www.centrolegalwisconsin.org Community Network Committee Centro Legal is looking for outgoing volunteers to help form relationships with other organizations in Milwaukee. These relationships will improve the referral process between Centro Legal and other organizations. Committee members will also help find new locations for family law classes, and new opportunities to participate in community fairs. The first meeting is April 4th from 10 a.m. to noon at Centro Legal’s office 614 W. National Ave. Second Floor. If you are interested, please contact Lisette Khalil: [email protected] Centro Legal is on Facebook and Twitter! Become a fan on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! You are Invited! Centro Legal On Tap April 30, 2009 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Lakefront Brewery Beer Tasting, Brewery Tours, Live Music, Silent Auction Price: $40 per person Register online at www.centrolegalwisconsin.org Sponsors: UPS, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Gass Weber Mullins LLC, Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association, and Davis & Kuelthau S.C. Board Highlight: Domingo Cruz Board of Directors: Robyn Arnold Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. Domingo Cruz Northwestern Mutual Noah Domnitz Domnitz & Skemp, S.C. When Board Member and Northwestern Mutual In-House attorney Domingo Cruz wanted to find an organization that would let him reach out to low-income individuals in Milwaukee, he found Centro Legal. Chris Ford Chris Ford Law Richard Gallun Fiserv. Inc. (Retired) Nadelle Grossman Marquette University Law School His career as a lawyer, and his interest in the Latino community were what encouraged Cruz to join the Board of Directors in December of 2006. Since then, Cruz has served as the chair of the Development Committee and Finance and Human Resources Committee. Cruz has watched as Centro Legal’s Board has become younger in the past three years, and with that, he’s seen a correlating increase in energy and enthusiasm. The Board’s goals are becoming more ambitious. “I hope we can start formalizing and strengthening partnerships with like-minded social service agencies so that we can provide people in desperate situations with service with respect to their narrower legal problems, and also show those individuals a path to improving other aspects of their lives as well,” said Cruz. He also hopes that the board and staff at Centro Legal can continue its efforts with domestic abuse victims, and the large number of low-income individuals who show up in family court unrepresented. “I have been given a lot of opportunities, and by being involved with Centro Legal I can help other people find ways to make opportunities for themselves as well,” said Cruz. Pat Kandziora M&I Business Banking Thomas Klein Peckerman & Klein Harvey Kurtz Foley & Lardner, LLP Jessica Poliner Kravit, Hovel & Krawczyk S.C. Mary Scheibel Scheibel Halaska, Inc. Laura Straus Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. Daniel Vaccaro Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP Jesus Villa Community Volunteer Rebecca Valcq We Energies Centro Legal to Welcome New Leadership Current Interim Director, Lisette Khalil, will be relocating to Tennessee in June due to her husband’s job. The Centro Legal board and staff have been aware of Ms. Khalil’s impending departure since she joined the agency in 2007. Centro Legal embraces the prospect of new leadership as an opportunity for growth. “I am grateful for the time I spent at Centro Legal. It has been gratifying to witness growing enthusiasm among the Board, staff, and our many volunteers. I will miss colleagues and friends in Milwaukee, but I am confident that Centro Legal will continue to provide clients with quality legal representation and will continue to strengthen its connections with partners and the community,” said Khalil. The Board is in the process of evaluating candidates, and the transition is planned for April 2009. Centro Legal would like to thank Attorney Marcus Wester (Quarles & Brady LLC) for volunteering his time to serve clients in our domestic violence program while Attorney Jessica Marques Murphy is on maternity leave. “Thus far I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet and help people from all different walks of life. One of my immediate observations was that the attorneys at Centro Legal are often able to offer their clients a fresh start, which is a very valuable thing and something I cannot wait to have an opportunity to do. So far, I have most enjoyed learning from Centro Legal's staff and providing whatever guidance and assistance I can to the organization's often-underprivileged clients. From walk-in Wednesdays to client meetings to court appearances, Centro Legal's attorneys (and staff) are able to provide their clients' certainty through very tumultuous times. I am just thrilled to be a part of such an organization, even if for such a short time, and look forward to quite the learning experience!” Marcus Wester 2009 Donors Corporations & Foundations Nadelle Grossman & Brendan Daly Christian & Barbara Steinmetz Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. D. Michael Guerin Stacey & Shane Stoffel Elm Grove Junior Guild Sara Harvey Erich C. Straub Foley & Lardner LLP Charles & Susan Henderson Laura Straus Gass Weber Mullins LLC Kadie & Steve Jelenchick Jim Swiatko Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. Criag R. Johnson Kelli Taffora Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP Pat Kandziora John Thompson Herb Kohl Charities Mark & Ginny Kannenberg Joseph E. Tierney Michael Best & Freidrich LLP Hon. Joan Kessler Lawrence Alan Towers Milwaukee Young Lawyer's Association Thomas & Deborah Klein Debra Tuttle Metavante Corporation Carol Kracht Daniel & Dawn Vaccaro PPC Foundation Clair Miller Krause Andrew Vedder United Way Ileene K. & Robert A. Levine Aida R. Vinent We Energies Micaela Levine Hon. Jeffrey Wagner Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. Amy Linder Stephen Waller Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Rebeca Lopez Hon. Francis Wasielewski Lawrence & Charlene Lynch Kathryn Weaver Teresa Mambu Rasch Catherine M. Young Ray Manista Hon. Dean & Debbie Zemel Individuals Justice Shirley Abrahamson Nicole Angresano Anonymous Donors Hon. Carl Ashley John Birdsall Melissa S. Blair Wendy Reed Bosworth & Robinson Bosworth III E. Michael & Barbara McCann Katherine McCormack In-Kind Donations Judith McMullen Adventure Rock Joanne Neumann Danceworks, Inc. Jeremy & Suzette Newman ESPN Deportes Rick Ninneman Idlewild Golf Course Debra Olson La Merenda Yvonne Brodsky Bradley D. Page Christy Brooks Mary H. Payne Barbara L. Burbach Mark A. Peterson Lopez Bakery William E. Callahan Jr. Roger L. Pettit Marquette University Spirit Shop Mary Campbell Hon. William Pocan Quantum LS Sarah & David Clark Harvey Pogoriler Cedric Cornwall Quimera Cocina Boricua Jessica Poliner William & Therese Corrigan Charles Post Susan J Croft David & Janelle Pruhs Domingo & Sylvia Cruz Heather Van Vugt Ramirez Hon. Rebecca Dallet Theresa Reagan Dan Davis David L. De Bruin Samantha Dennis Hon. John & Hon. Jean DiMotto Ellen R. Drought Sean Duffey Hon. Michael & Mrs. Deb Dwyer Bruce Edgar Nicole A. Eull Matthew & Debrah Falk Chris Ford Rachel Forman & Boaz Avital Daniel J. Gabler Luis Garza Heather Gatewood Joshua Gimbel Peter D. Goldberg Michael J. Gonring Hon. Sandy Grady Lammi Sports Management Riveredge Nature Center Sky Knights Prachute Club The National University of Wisconsin Athletic Department Debra Lynn Recht Angelita Renteria Joseph & Corrine Rivas Kate & Jeff Ruidl Jacquelynn Ruiz Lesley Russell Larry Salustro Hon. Richard J. Sankovitz Mary Scheibel Jan Schiller Victor & Jayna Schultz Daniel Shneidman Walter Skipper Sarah A. Smith Leslie Spencer-Herrera L. William & Kathleen Staudenmaier Harold Stein Cathy Steinhafel Thank you to the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers for donating two scholarships for Centro Legal attorneys to attend their annual CLE seminar. Volunteers: Griselda Aldrete Tara Arnold Ilana Avital Aliah Berman Melissa Blair Yvonne Brodsky LeKeesha Brown Viviana Buzo Samantha Dennis Rachel Dubrauc Amanda Efferson Casey Fleming Casey Foltz Sylvannah Gates Heather Gatewood Ann Granitz Sara Harvey Laura Hernandez Kadie Jelenchick Tim Johnson Lucy Kelly Alex Lesko Ben Levin Gretchen Lindlau Lauren Luke Teresa Mambu-Rasch Prof. Judith McMullen Jennie Meyer Kate Nugent Lou Pieh Dr. Charles Post Maureen Post Jessica Quintanilla Megan Raynor Angie Renteria Amy Sanchez Leslie Spencer-Herrera Betty Suarez Kelli Taffora Notesong Srisopark Thompson Caroline Torres Michelle Velasquez Christina Valeriano Valerie Vidal Jon Waclawski Marcus Wester Ashley Wise Staff: Michael Balter Evelyn Campos Lupita Campos Lisette Khalil Samantha Levihn Jessica Marquez Murphy Jason Mishelow Jaclyn Ostronic Ashley Wise