Arizona Foundation to Increase Funding for Legal Services Grantees
Support from AZ State Bar Association Stretches IOLTA Funds

December 12, 2006
Contact: Lara Slifko (602)340-7325
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    PHOENIX, ARIZ. — Legal Assistance and Law Related Education will be offered to thousands of Arizonan’s next year with the help of over $1,300,000 in 2007 grant awards announced by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education (The Foundation).

"The Foundation Board is honored to assist in the efforts of these excellent organizations," said David Haga, 2006 Foundation Board President. "In addition to the traditional Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) grant awards, the Foundation is able to distribute additional grants totaling $175,000 as a result of the generous support of the State Bar of Arizona’s members."

Dr. Kevin S. Ruegg, Executive Director of the Foundation, reports that with these funds the Foundation anticipates over 18,000 families will receive free legal assistance and several thousands of children will be able to participate in civics programs to prepare them for the office of citizen. Ruegg said, "The grantees are providing much needed help to many and while I know they appreciate the Foundation’s support, the need is even greater. With that understanding, the Foundation welcomes partners in promoting access to justice. Supporting legal services and law-related education is an investment in the very fabric of our country’s justice system. What a better way to celebrate the holiday season than to make sure the doors of justice are open to all!"

The following agencies will receive grant awards to assist Arizonan’s in achieving access to justice:

Legal Services Awards
Advocates for the Disabled $ 27,000
Arizona Capital Representation Project $ 60,000
Arizona Center for Disability Law $ 25,000
ASU - Civil Justice Clinic $ 10,000
ASU-Homeless Project (HLAP) $ 2,135
AWEE - Arizona Women's Education and Employment $ 90,000
Betania Community Center $ 5,000
Catholic Social Service - Phoenix $ 45,000
Chrysalis Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence $ 45,000
Community Legal Services, INC $ 238,500
DNA - People's Legal Services $ 145,000
Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project $ 170,000
The Justice Project $ 20,000
Justice for Children $ 32,000
Lutheran Social Ministry of the Southwest $ 51,500
NAU Foundation $ 11,000
Never Again Foundation $ 90,000
Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc $ 301,088
Tucson Indian Center $ 5,000
William E. Morris Institute for Justice $ 125,000
Law-Related Education Awards
Clarkdale-Jerome School $ 5,570
CLS - VLP Children's Law Center $ 10,000
Corona del Sol High School $ 1,500
Kids Voting $ 10,000
Mountain View HS – Marana $ 500
Mountain View HS – Marana $ 500
Wilcox Against Substance Abuse $ 10,000
YMCA Valley of the Sun $ 10,000

About the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education
The Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization striving to fulfill its mission of promoting access to justice for all Arizonans by preparing Arizona youth for civic responsibility and supporting legal service programs who aid Arizonans most in need. Through the provision of technical and financial assistance to probation, resource officers, teachers, administrators, private attorneys, judges, and legal service attorneys & advocates, the Foundation works to level the playing field, so that all in Arizona have knowledge and access to the justice systems. In 2005, the Foundation, through the work of its grantees, assisted 18,000 families receive free legal assistance, 800 schools to teach law related education, and 300,000 Arizona kids to learn about the justice system and civic duties.

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