Trending
Northern Ohio Community Legal Aid has received a pro bono innovation fund grant totaling $180,764 to expand a program helping low-income residents in Mahoning County with foreclosure or debt problems.
The award is part of an outlay by Legal Services Corporation. The funding will be coming this fall, according to Rachel Nader, advocacy director with Community Legal Aid, an eight-county nonprofit that provides pro-bono, or free, legal counseling.
"Meeting the vast legal needs of low-income Americans is a tough job for legal aid providers with limited resources," said LSC President Ronald S. Flagg. "Engaging pro bono attorneys and volunteers adds a powerful network that multiplies the impact of these organizations."
Community Legal Aid received a similar grant totaling $267,000 in 2019 to create the Clarence Darrow Clinic, which is being operated through a partnership among Community Legal Aid, Trumbull County's seven courts and the Trumbull County Bar Association.
Officials said this 2022 grant also will expand the clinic's Trumbull operations, which have decreased the number of unprepared defendants in housing and consumer cases and increased the amount of pro bono participation throughout the county, as well as expand the clinic model into Mahoning County, according to Legal Aid officials.
"We are at a very good time to help clients in preserving their homes," Nader said.
Common Pleas Judge Andrew D. Logan was instrumental in implementing a mediation program during the foreclosure crisis of 2008-09, in which more than 10 percent of the homes (more than 200) saved in the state were located in Trumbull County under funding coming from the state government.
Logan also was helpful in getting the Darrow clinic started, Nader said, noting the local judges were determined not to let the banks come in and see these homes abandoned.
Now Community Legal Aid will be matching its recent grant award to expand the Darrow clinic services from Trumbull County southward.
"We seen those struggling with foreclosures and credit card debt, and we want to have a clinic to help them," said Nader. "There are a lot of selfless attorneys around who want to give back."
Nader said the expansion of the Darrow clinic model into Mahoning County seemed a perfect fit.
"We are sister counties. Our residents seem to have the same economic problems," Nader said.
MAHONING JUDGES ARE IN
Youngstown municipal Judge Carla Baldwin and Mahoning County court administrative Judge Joseph H. Houser have been willing to help participate in a Darrow clinic model for their county. Legal Aid representatives will be meeting with them to set up a clinic model there by the first of October, Nader said.
"We look forward to working with our Mahoning County partners to make sure families have the legal help they need when facing housing and consumer debt-related matters," said Jodi Roberts, Legal Aid's communications and development manager.
The Darrow clinic planned to be operating three days per week out of the old Stone Building on High Street NW in Warren, but the COVID-19 pandemic had canceled those expectations. Those on the court docket with housing issues now have a virtual format to receive help.
"Because of the pandemic, the attorneys find it easier to give their time by talking on the phone from their desk or homes," Nader said. "It's actually increased the time they have been able to give."
Nader said those interested in getting Darrow Clinic services can call 330-983-2584 or apply online at www.communitylegalaid.org/apply.
Since the launch in February 2020, the Darrow Clinic has helped 833 clients with 970 housing and consumer debt related issues, Roberts said.
"We have a panel of 18 dedicated volunteers who actively participated throughout the clinic period," Roberts said. "Many of these volunteers will continue to offer assistance as the clinic expands into Mahoning County."
A national lawmaker is taking notice of the work being done to save low-income residents and homeowners in the area.
"How much money you make shouldn't determine whether you have fair representation in court," said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain. "These funds … will help ensure all Ohioans have the representation they need to protect their rights against debt collectors, banks, and landlords trying to evict them."