History and Objectives of the Toledo Legal Aid Society
Toledo Legal Aid was founded in 1951 by a small group of lawyers who wanted to provide free legal services to those in need. Those early leaders sought to make a difference in the Toledo area, fighting for justice and equality in the community. Since its founding, Toledo Legal Aid has expanded greatly but its mission and values are unchanged – to provide equal access to justice and high quality legal services to low-income individuals and families. In the last year , we helped 16,000 people through legal advice at clinics and intake with staff attorneys in our office. We also helped resolve thousands of domestic violence, child support, custody and divorce cases for 2,000 low-income families in the Lucas County Domestic Relations Court and Toledo Municipal Court. Our work has a profound impact on the lives of the people we help and with our community as whole.
Services Provided by Toledo Legal Aid
The Toledo Legal Aid Society offers a broad spectrum of legal services to help individuals and families navigate the complexities of the law. Their mission is to provide effective legal representation and support to those in need, ensuring that justice is accessible to all, regardless of financial means. One of the primary areas where the Toledo Legal Aid Society excels is family law. Whether it’s divorce proceedings, child custody and support matters, or other family-related legal issues, their family law attorneys can provide essential guidance and representation. These compassionate lawyers understand the emotional turmoil that such cases can bring, and they are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for their clients. Employment law is another key focus for the Toledo Legal Aid Society. They offer assistance in a wide range of employment-related issues, from filing discrimination claims to unemployment benefits and contract disputes. Their employment lawyers work diligently to protect employees’ rights and ensure fair treatment in the workplace. Housing law is also a significant part of the legal aid services available. The Toledo Legal Aid Society helps clients dealing with housing disputes, landlord-tenant issues, eviction proceedings, and foreclosures. These cases can be particularly trying, and the society’s legal team provides much-needed support to clients facing these challenges. Consumer law is another area where the Toledo Legal Aid Society provides valuable services. From debt collection issues to bankruptcy filings, the society’s consumer lawyers are dedicated to helping clients resolve their financial problems and regain their financial footing. In addition to these primary legal service areas, the Toledo Legal Aid Society also offers help with several specialized legal matters. This includes help with guardianship issues, probate law, wills, and trusts. These services help clients plan for the future and ensure that their wishes are respected and their estates are well managed. Overall, the range of services offered by the Toledo Legal Aid Society is designed to provide comprehensive legal support to individuals and families in need. Their experienced and compassionate attorneys are committed to serving the community and helping clients achieve the best possible resolution to their legal issues.
Who is Eligible and How to Get Help
Eligibility for legal aid provided by the Toledo Legal Aid Society requires that an individual reside within the Toledo city limits and provide the organization with relevant documentation to validate such residency. Beyond this requirement, an individual must financially qualify for assistance based on federal poverty guidelines set by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Toledo Legal Aid Society provides individuals in the local area who are struggling financially with access to lawyers who can assist them with all manner of legal issues. The organization has attorneys who will advise people on several topics, including bankruptcy, custom and personal injury lawsuits, social security issues and divorce and child custody questions. The group notes on its website that it does not handle landlord-tenant disputes related to low-income housing. However, the organization will address those with a profitability over the poverty line.
Applying for assistance from the Toledo Legal Aid Society requires prospective clients to call the organization to request an appointment. They will be scheduled an eligibility interview appointment where they must arrive to complete the process. Their income levels and other financial information will be thoroughly reviewed at this time. Applicants should bring with them the following information:
Those who qualify will then be assigned to an appropriate caseworker, who will work to establish an attorney-client relationship. From there, the attorney may be able to walk the client through filling out a form to determine the level of court fee waiver for which he or she might qualify. If the current caseload does not allow for the Legal Aid Society to assist the petitioner, the organization will refer individuals to other legal aid societies, if appropriate.
Notable Cases and Impact on the Community
The Toledo Legal Aid Society has been an advocate for families and individuals living in poverty for over a century. The impact of their work has been felt far beyond the direct outcomes of individual cases. The organization has also addressed broader social issues by taking on high-impact, systemic cases.
One such case was a housing case against the Ohio Department of Development and Toledo Metropolitan Housing Authority, following a 1973 federal ruling that poverty and housing was within a constitutional right. In the initial ruling, Toledo Metropolitan Housing Authority had to abide by new rules related to income, rent collection procedures and maintenance of rental units, drastically improving the quality of life for thousands of impoverished Toledo residents.
Another notable case handled by the Toledo Legal Aid Society involved a violent instance of domestic abuse. The organization secured an order of protection that prohibited the abuser from entering the home of his partner. After a second instance of violence, the organization successfully obtained the eviction of the abuser from the home.
The Toledo Legal Aid Society continues to take on cases that affect the entire community. One of the most common problems they deal with is the issue of utility termination and overdue bills. For these situations, the Toledo Legal Aid Society provides utility assistance travel grants and assistance through the Toledo Edison Hardship Fund. In 2010, they assisted an astounding 800 residents of Lucas County, Ohio.
Collaborations and Partnerships
The Toledo Legal Aid Society achieves its mission by working closely in partnership with numerous other organizations, government agencies and private citizens to ensure effective access to justice for low income persons. The City of Toledo includes the Legal Aid Society on several initiatives: Legal Aid’s Director serves as chair of the Toledo Owns No Place to Hide Committee, a community initiative focusing on providing family support resources, housing support, financial health and mobility supports to those displaced from their homes by the foreclosure crisis. Further the city is a committed partner to the Greater Toledo Homeless Outreach Partnership, whose goal is to house 50 families within the next three years. While many resources are already available in the Toledo area, many openings are quickly taken up leaving little room for unanticipated crises. There are many low-income individuals and families struggling to get by, never realizing that legal assistance may be available to help them through situations like divorce, domestic violence, mentally incapacitating consumer debt, mortgage foreclosure, predatory lending or problems with government benefits . Some people wait until they are already experiencing crisis situations to seek assistance, at which time it may be too late to resolve the situation or obtain the needed services or benefits. To better reach and assist underserved communities, Legal Aid collaborates with other service providers and community institutions to reach the unserved and underserved as well as those who have averted crises through early intervention. Legal Aid collaborates with the following entities and organizations: United Way of Greater Toledo, Lutheran Social Services, Toledo Fair Housing Center, Toledo Area Ministries, Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board, Toledo Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit, Jobs & Family Services, the Family & Children First Council, Lucas County Department of Job & Family Services, Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority, and volunteer attorneys at area law firms as well as in-house attorneys.
Ways to Give or Volunteer
The Toledo Legal Aid Society is always in need of support in the form of monetary donations, and you may also make a tax-exempt donation of stocks or bonds. Consider holding a fundraiser or dedicating an event (a ticket purchase, a service fee, etc.) as a specific, designated donation to the Society. If you have expertise in an area relevant to their work, you may also offer your professional services or volunteer your time at their legal law clinic. The Society regularly has a need for volunteers for various administrative tasks and legal projects.
Visit their website at ToledoLegalAidSociety.com to learn about additional ways to donate. You may also reach out to them directly by phone or email to discuss other potential options.
Toledo Legal Aid Society
1001 Madison Ave Ste 12
Toledo, OH 43604
Phone:
1-800-472-7228
(419) 724-0469
Fax: 419.855.6463
Future Plans and Initiatives
To further their mission of providing essential legal support to the community, the Toledo Legal Aid Society has several future goals and developments in the pipeline. One of their core objectives is to extend the scope of their services to meet the evolving legal needs of the Toledo community. Their intention is to expand their presence in more low-income neighborhoods through legal clinics and outreach programs, ensuring that their resources are as accessible as possible.
Additionally, Legal Aid Society is focused on strengthening their partnerships with private law firms and corporations. By collaborating with other legal groups and entities within the Toledo area, they aim to leverage additional resources and expertise to benefit their clients. Through an enhanced pro bono program that encourages private sector lawyers to dedicate time to support Legal Aid’s mission, they plan to widen their service footprint beyond traditional legal education, increasing their capacity to provide comprehensive legal support to the low-income population .
The Toledo Legal Aid Society is also heavily invested in improving public awareness around the crucial services they offer. They are continually working to enhance their online presence and social media engagement, as well as distribute informational materials within the community, all aimed at helping more citizens understand what help is available to them. Future initiatives may also include workshops, informational seminars, and newsletters in order to further educate the public about their services.
Overall, the Toledo Legal Aid Society is dedicated to expanding their role in the community, with the goal of making a positive and lasting impact. With a focus on broadening their reach and collaboration, the organization strives to provide the most comprehensive and meaningful support to those who require access to legal guidance.