Carmen contacted Legal Aid after she was served with a summons in a credit card collection case. Carmen, an elderly widow with significant health problems, was scheduled for cancer surgery the following week. She was afraid that she would return from the hospital and her mobile home would be taken away from her because of…
Brandi, a 27-year-old mother of two, lived in a Section 8 property. Because Brandi’s only income was Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), her portion of the rent was zero. Brandi’s lease came up for renewal and the Housing Authority of Kansas City conducted an annual housing quality inspection. The property failed due to several…
The Robert C. Welch Volunteer Attorney Project Award was created in partnership with the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association to recognize attorneys who, through their participation in the Volunteer Attorney Project (VAP), have demonstrated exemplary commitment to the delivery of pro bono services in our community. The 2019 recipients are: Teresa L. Anderson, Polsinelli,…
Over 400 local attorneys, judges, elected officials, community leaders, and others gathered at the Marriott Muehlebach for Legal Aid’s 21st Justice for All Luncheon — our annual fundraiser to celebrate our community’s commitment to Justice for All! Teresa L. Anderson (Polsinelli), Sam Barfoot (Polsinelli) and Shane Hamman (Foland Wickens Roper Hofer & Crawford) received the…
Access to legal representation and a fair shot at justice shouldn’t depend on where you live, the color of your skin or how much money you have. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality. That’s why we’re proud to support Legal Aid of Western Missouri as monthly donors. Legal Aid levels the playing field, giving our neighbors a basic right to which they are entitled:…
Contesting evictions. Preventing foreclosures. Representing victims of domestic violence. Obtaining health care benefits. Pursuing Medicaid appeals. Assisting immigrants. All these and many more are the services Legal Aid lawyers and staff provide to the low-income residents of western Missouri. And these are the reasons Cassy and I are enthusiastic supporters of Legal Aid. It is…
Charles was interested in rehabbing a debilitated, vacant property in his neighborhood. He was able to locate and contact the property’s owner, and they made an agreement: in exchange for $100 cash, the owner would grant Charles permission to occupy the premises and rehab the property to avert the demolition. The owner also promised Charles…
Karen is a high school senior and a very serious student. Last year, she frequently missed school, lost weight and made multiple emergency room visits. When Migrant Farmworker Project (MFP) learned of Karen’s problems, staff obtained a referral for her to be seen at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Her kidney was so enlarged by that time…
Anne, who is elderly and in poor health, received a hand-written note from an investment company offering to buy her home. Anne had considered selling her house because of her concern that she may not be able keep up with the maintenance. She called the investment company and scheduled an appointment. The next day, two…
Cheryl is a sixty-four year old woman and for the first time in her life, she was being sued and it was by a payday loan company. Cheryl was worried about how this would impact her ability to maintain her household. As a great-grandmother, she maintained a four-generation household and her monthly income was not…
