AZFLSE Newsletter April 01, 2008 - Volume 1, No.10
Recognizing our Legal Heroes
On June 19th at the State Bar Convention in Tucson, the Foundation will present its annual awards: the Walter E. Craig Distinguished Service Award, the William E. Morris Pro Bono Service Award, the Foundation for Justice Award, the Mark Santana LRE award, and the Top Pro-Bono Attorney recognitions
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Walter E. Craig Distinguished Service Award winner, W. Michael Flood
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William E. Morris Pro Bono Service Award recipient, Debra Hill
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Foundation for Justice recipient, Comm. Fred Dardis
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Mark Santana Law Related Education Attorney award recipients Bill and Pam Gates
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Grantee Highlight! Advocates for the Disabled, Disability Advocacy Program � Phoenix, AZ
The Disability Advocacy Project (DAP) is a long standing partnership between Advocates for the Disabled, Inc. (AFD) and Community Legal Services (CLS). The projects purpose is to provide specialized legal services to disabled low-income/homeless individuals who would otherwise not have access to these services. The DAP assists with establishing the eligibility of individuals seeking Social Security Disability benefits as well as to help train attorneys and advocates in the area of Social Security Disability Law. Disabled, low income/homeless individuals who have applied for disability benefits and been denied and meet the DAP intake criteria, are provided with free legal representation, which they would otherwise not be able to obtain. The DAP attorney and staff are also utilized as a resource within the community regarding Social Security Disability claims, termination cases, overpayment cases, children’s cases and other situations related to the Social Security Disability claims process.
In 2007, the Advocates for Disabled served 760 clients through the Disability Advocacy Program.
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Foundation Video Premiere at 2008 Annual Luncheon
The Foundation will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the State Bar Convention this June. On June 19th, join the Foundation at their annual luncheon where they will premiere Three decades of caring and the next 30 years. The video, directed by Scott Johnson and Insight Design, showcases some of the Foundation’s grantees and programs – those in the trenches who are directly providing access to justice to all Arizonans. Shot in High definition, the video beautifully captures the legal aid and law related education community and the passion behind their great work. For information on how to attend the Foundation luncheon and reception contact Lara at Lara Slifko.
Kids Voting AZ�s First Presidential Preference Election Huge Success!
K-12 grade students from nearly 500 schools cast their vote in the Kids Voting Arizona Presidential Preference Election on February 4th. Nearly one third of the 92,000 Kids Voting AZ ballots were cast online in addition to the ballots tabulated at school sites and at Kids Voting AZ headquarters. Obama led all the candidates in total votes cast, receiving almost 34,000 votes. John McCain led his closest Republican opponent, Mitt Romney by almost 9,000 votes.
Kids Voting AZ, in partnership with The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education, hopes to at least double the number of students voting for the General Election on November 4th, to make it the biggest election in Kids Voting AZ history. To read more or to volunteer, visit http://www.kidsvotingaz.org/Donate.cfm
University High School wins Mock Trial Championship
Tucson’s University High School took first place at the State Tournament on Saturday April 5, 2008 at the Sandra Day O’Connor Federal Courthouse. University High School also took in 2nd and 4th place, with Northland Preparatory taking 3rd. As the State Champion, University High School represented Arizona at the National High School Mock Trial Tournament in Wilmington, Delaware this May. For more on Mock Trial and other participants in the 2008 competition...
Four LRE teachers recognized for excellence in their field
George Colebrook, Lisa Flores, Patrick McAndrew, and John Cosden were all selected as this year's receipients of the John J. Ross Memorial Award for Excellence in Law-Related Education. Each year, the Foundation awards at least one $250 cash award for teacher excellence in law-related education.
90 essays submitted in this year's essay contest!
This year's Law Day Essay Scholarship Contest, sponsored by the Foundation and the Arizona Supreme Court, has been a huge success with 90 entries being judged by 67 volunteers. All essays were judged three times and each student will receive a special recognition plaque. The first place essay in each county received a $250 scholarship and the 1st through 3rd place winners from each county were invited to a special recognition event in May at the Arizona Supreme Court. The winners, their family and their teachers met Arizona Supreme Court Justices and talked with them about this year's topic: "How Should the Courts Uphold the Rule of Law?" Each school with students submitting essays received a $50 stipend for supplies!
Officer Gary Douglas named LRE Officer of the Year
Officer Douglas continually implements balanced law realted education (LRE) lessons that incorporate community resource people, real world lessons, hands on learning, and problem solving skills. Officer Douglas can be seen doing everything from talking with a grade school student about a scrapped knee to facilitating high school youth leaders. He continually goes above and beyond what is expected of him. The teachers he works with consider him one of the finest SRO teachers they have seen.
Officer Douglas also facilitates the schools multi-disciplinary team, guides the San Pedro Family Resource Council (a local non-profit), volunteers for the CCJCS Drug Court program, as well as participating and coordinating many other programs.
TUCSON STUDENTS TAKE TOP HONORS IN PROJECT CITIZEN SHOWCASE
On Friday May 2nd, over 275 students from across Arizona represented their schools and passion for public policy at the statewide Project Citizen Showcase. After a display of their portfolios, student teams gave oral presentations in support of their public policy ideas before panels of volunteer judges. While not identified as a competition, two schools were recognized for their achievements in portfolio display and oral presentation of their project before judges.
ARIZONA STUDENTS COMPETE IN FORENSIC SCIENCE �WHO DUNNIT?�:
The crime scene, in which a young man’s severed hand lies at the bottom of an empty reptile tank, is staged but to the teams of 11 to 17 year old forensic investigators who gathered last Friday for the "CSI: Arizona" Statewide Showcase, it’s a serious competition of law and science. Now in its third year, the competition gives students from around the state the opportunity to showcase their investigation, analytical and presentation skills.
Giving Circles are a way for you to meet with friends and co-workers in an informal setting and discuss philanthropy projects that interest each of you - all at a tax advantage! Choose from a brochure of giving options or bring your own funding idea to the table. Each circle must raise $5,000 total, which will then be matched by the Foundation. Thus, each dollar you give is doubled! For more information on how you can start a circle, contact Lara Slifko.
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