FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Adrienne Wheeler, 504-561-7312; awheeler@louisianaappleseed.org
September 9, 2020, NEW ORLEANS, LA - Louisiana Appleseed released a 2020 update to the training guide with resources for volunteer attorneys who want to volunteer to assist individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Laura and in need of free legal assistance.
"Recovery from a hurricane often requires legal assistance from an already overworked and under-supported legal aid framework," said Adrienne Wheeler, Executive Director of Louisiana Appleseed. "This Disaster Training Manual (2020) is available to volunteer attorneys when disasters strike and enables them to provide access to legal representation for thousands of Louisiana residents, especially the poor, who face legal challenges while recovering after a disaster."
Volunteer attorneys who would like to provide assistance are highly encouraged to work with an existing legal service provider, such as Acadiana Legal Services Corporation (ALSC), that will be able to assign cases. Volunteers can also register online through the American Bar Association portal, XXXvZXZXZ. Volunteers are also needed to provide responses online at es to the training manual. The manual and appendices are available for download at: https://www.louisianaappleseed.org/post/disaster-training.
Volunteer attorneys who would like to provide assistance are highly encouraged to work with an existing legal service provider, such as Acadiana Legal Services Corporation (ALSC), that will be able to assign cases. Volunteers can also register online through the American Bar Association portal, https://aba.joinpaladin.com Volunteers are also needed to provide responses online at https://la.freelegalanswers.org.
Training is available to new volunteers through the Louisiana State Bar Association. The LSBA Disaster Response Subcommittee in partnership with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) and Acadiana Legal Service Corp. (ALSC) will a CLE on FEMA Applications and Appeals Friday, September 11, 2020 at 10 – 11:30 AM presented by David Williams with SLLS.
The training is designed for attorneys working with SLLS and ALSC as well as those interested in volunteering to assist people in and around Acadiana impacted by Hurricane Laura. To register for the event, please complete this form by Thursday (9/10) at 5PM. Capacity is limited and priority will be given to attorneys working with or interested in working with people affected by the disaster. The webinar will be recorded and available to those unable to attend.
This program was made possible in part through grants from the Louisiana Bar Foundation, Access to Justice, and the Gillis Long Poverty Law Center.
Louisiana Appleseed is a statewide nonprofit based in New Orleans, Louisiana that focuses on policy-level solutions by recruiting attorneys to provide free services through a research-oriented approach to policy change. Louisiana Appleseed’s mission is rooted in three pillars dedicated to increasing Access to: Justice, Opportunity, and Education.
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