2009 IOLTA GRANTEES

Funds are used to help support the Family Stabilization Project:

They enable RILS to:

• Provide for victims of domestic violence in obtaining restraining orders, working out child visitation, custody and child support arrangements and divorces.
• Provide representation in family law matters as well as representing parents in neglect, dependency and abuse cases and child support matters.
• Represent clients in the area of private, public and subsidized housing. Sustaining Housing Law Center and Eviction Defense Clinic, which provides advise, brief service and representation to families to prevent homelessness.
• Provide representation in the effort to obtain and secure public benefits.
• Provide representation in environmental justice issues.
• Support private attorney involvement through the Volunteer Lawyer Program.

Funds are used to continue the Immigration Law Project:

• Provide low-cost and free immigration legal services to foreign-born Rhode Island residents;
• Provide a minimum of 12 bilingual workshops on immigration law to low-income immigrant and refugee communities;
• Staff an ongoing mini-consultation series in at least two sites in the state;
• Produce as necessary and make available appropriate written materials regarding immigration law;
• Organize a series of 10-15 seminars on immigration law to various groups;
• Organize four quarterly training sessions for IIRI staff and provide up-to-date information on immigration policies and changes at the training sessions;
• Expand the pro bono involvement in immigration assistance and community education for attorneys in Rhode Island.

Funds are used to continue support of the Legal Information and Referral Service for the Elderly program.

• The primary objective of the program is to make legal services readily available to senior citizens ages sixty and over. Approximately 2000 seniors receive legal assistance on an annual basis.
• The Referral Service will continue to coordinate 20 or more “Ask A Lawyer” and “Legal Clinic” programs on an annual basis at senior organizations throughout the State. Pro Bono and/or reduced fee referrals are available to the income eligible.

Funds are used to support the Rhode Island Bar Association Pro Bono Project which provides legal assistance to indigent clients in Rhode Island.

• The Pro Bono program responds to domestic violence, and family law cases, and accepts conflicts or overload cases from RI Legal Services’ Family Law Unit. Other areas of law accepted include guardianship, education, landlord tenant, and collections.

Funds are used to continue the Superior Court component of their Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program. Funds are to be used for the salary and partial benefits of the Coordinator and operating expenses associated with the program.

• The court-based advocacy program helps victims seek civil and criminal relief from domestic violence. The program has a staff of 12 advocates, primarily on a grant from the legislature through the RI Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and IOLTA. Funds are also being used to continue to reach out to the Latino population.
• The Latino population is the fastest growing population in the state.

Funds are used to help support the landlord-tenant eviction prevention program.

• To prevent eviction which leads to homelessness.
• To conduct mediations with landlords and tenants to prevent evictions.

Funds are used to help support the 2007 Rhode Island Mock Trial Tournament.

• Funds will be used to cover staff as well as the costs of supplies to implement the project. Costs will also include recruiting, training, planning and debriefing, scheduling of courtrooms, certificates and awards banquet.
• Funds are also being used for human resources consulting in an effort to expand the programs.

Funds are used to help support the Sexual Assault Advocacy Services Program.

• The Center provides support and legal advocacy for victims of sexual assault, providing victims with information and legal advocacy as their case proceeds through the criminal justice system, making it easier for them to stay engaged in the legal process.

Funds are used to continue to expand the services provided by the Homeless Legal Clinic. The Legal Clinic is essential in providing homeless Rhode Islander’s pro bono legal services in housing, domestic problems and criminal problems relating to mental illness. Funds are used to support the salary of the Legal Clinic Coordinator whose duties include;

• To recruit and retain volunteer attorneys to staff the homeless clinics.
• To provide support services to attorneys through training of case managers and staff at the clinics.
• To notify agencies whose clients might wish to utilize services.
• To make referrals to the Volunteer Lawyer Program, Rhode Island Legal Services and other appropriate sources of assistance.
• To track statistics that demonstrate the utilization of the program.

• We have worked closely with the Rhode Island Bar Association to enhance law-related education programs. With the Foundation’s support, the Bar Association is able to administer a statewide Law Day program, maintain a statewide law-related education website, and cooperate and assist the other law-related education providers in Rhode Island which depend on our volunteers to work with Rhode Island’s youth and educate them about the legal system.

• Funds are being used to match an ABA grant to fund two summer fellowships ($2,500 each) for disadvantaged Roger Williams University Law School students for research in environmental law.

Funds are being used help support the “Street Law Project.”

• The goal of the program is to promote knowledge and awareness of the law and American legal system and law-related career options for 300+ RI youth in grades 7-12 by offering Street Law classes in schools, alternative schools, and community centers.
• Classes will be taught by law students from the Roger Williams University School of Law who will meet their pro bono legal services requirements by teaching the Street Law curriculum in RI for at least 8-10 sessions.

Funds are being used toward the year-long Workers’ Compensation public education campaign. The Institute of Labor Studies and Research is a non-profit labor and adult education organization that offers a wide range of education programs for working people. One of their vital services is its Immigrant Worker’s Rights Project (IWRP), which is designed to educate immigrants, students and other Rhode Island workers about their legal rights on the job.

• IOLTA funds are being used for its Workers’ Compensation Public Education Campaign which will concentrate on the needs of the rapidly growing immigrant population. The project will be staffed by bilingual, bicultural and experienced Community Outreach and Education Coordinators.
• The majority of the funds requested would be used to pay a portion of the salaries of the three Community Outreach Coordinators.