Pro Bono Update
Foundation and College Boards for approval.
Through the generosity of the Fellows, the College and the Foundation, the Committee on behalf of the Foundation distributes significant funds to grantees across the country, in large and small cities as well as in rural areas for a variety of programs. But numbers alone cannot tell the true impact of your generosity. Let me share with you two client stories that demonstrate the life-changing personal impact of your generosity, as told by our grantee, Legal Access Almeda of Oakland, California.
"Ella* has had several challenges in her life. Years ago Ella was hooked on drugs and homeless, but she managed to get clean and go to nursing school. With her degree she got a good position at a local hospital where she worked for many years. Ella loved her job and was making a decent living. She paid her bills on time and managed her money well, enough to take a vacation once and a while and donate to charity. Her life was happy and comfortable. This all changed two years ago when Ella began to lose her eyesight due to a hereditary disease. It started with vision loss in her left eye and progressed to where she could hardly see at all. As a result, Ella lost her nursing job and the bills began to pile up. Once she realized she couldn't pay off her debts, Ella decided to file for bankruptcy. Legal Access was able to help Ella navigate the bankruptcy process from start to finish, with special care and assistance, staff helping her complete tasks that might be easy for
16
Class 32 Nominations
determine their recommended candidates after which additional due diligence will be conducted. The substantial vetting is an important check and balance to ensure that all relevant information on nominees is obtained and available to the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents will then meet on October 14th during the NCBJ to make final decisions on the admissions of new Fellows for the 32nd Class of the College.
On behalf of all the Regents, the Chairs of the Nominating Committees and the members of the Circuit Admissions Councils and Nominating Committees, I want to thank you in advance for your participation in this critically important process. It is among the most important functions of the College, and your participation will help ensure that the College continues to be the preeminent organization that it is.