Access to Justice Day at the Texas Legislature

Wednesday, February 18th, legal aid advocates from across the state were in full force advocating for continued funding for access to justice efforts. If you had to miss the events, don’t worry! We’ve put together a Storify to help you catch up.

Click on the image below to see the story:

 

Law School Students Join TRLA for Wills Clinic

Earlier this month, students from the University of Texas School of Law joined attorneys from Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) and the South Texas Civil Rights Project to host a wills clinic to benefit low-income residents of Hidalgo County.

Held at the South Texas College Mid-Valley Campus, the students met with clients and pro bono attorneys from the Hidalgo County Bar Association to draft and review the wills. The clinic, which lasted six hours, resulted in helping sixty-eight low income residents finalize their legal documents.

Bankruptcy Bar Contributes $15,000 to Help Legal Aid

A holiday fundraiser honoring retiring Judge Richard S. Schmidt donated its proceeds to TRLA

The Rio Grande Valley Bankruptcy Bar Association and Bankruptcy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas have donated a total of $15,000 to Texas RioGrande Legal Aid to help further access to justice for low-income Texans.

The monies come as a result of a holiday fundraiser held last month to mark the retirement of Judge Richard S. Schmidt.

Still Looking for a New Year’s Resolution?

We’ve got an idea for you — become a pro bono volunteer!

Last year more than 4,800 private attorneys and 340 law school students served as pro bono volunteers to help us increase access to justice efforts in Texas. Join our efforts by becoming a pro bono volunteer in 2015!

Give the Gift of Access to Justice

Every year Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) helps approximately 22,000 low-income Texans with their civil legal needs. They are victims of domestic violence looking for help escaping abuse, families trying to avoid losing their homes, and veterans looking to secure the benefits they fought for and earned.

Giving Tuesday

On Giving Tuesday, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid wants to give thanks to all of the volunteers, donors, and supporters that fight for access to justice everyday. It is because of you that we are able to help an estimated 22,000 low-income Texans with their civil legal needs every year.

If you are looking for opportunities to get more involved, please consider using this #GivingTuesday to become a pro bono volunteer with us or make a donation. Every bit of help makes a difference.

       

Success Story: Getting an Education

by toledo589ad

Cynthia’s daughter was having trouble at school. The young girl had cerebral palsy, a condition that meant that she needed special attention from school officials, but Cynthia was having problems with the school’s special education department. They weren’t supervising her daughter properly and the child was often coming home with feces on her or injured from falls.

One day, Cynthia’s daughter told her a terrible story. After she was unable to copy the notes on the board, her teacher walked over to her, called her a “stubborn little girl,” and hit her on the head. Cynthia was upset and immediately called the school principal who told her that a staff meeting would be held and he would follow up later. He never called. So Cynthia filed charges against the teacher with the local police department. Meanwhile, Cynthia’s daughter refused to return to school because she was afraid. Convinced that her child’s rights were being violated, Cynthia turned to Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) for help.