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By the time of her discharge , the Debtor had secured new rental housing and had started a new job . Debtor left LASSD with a clean slate , ready to start her new life .
• Legal Aid Society of Cincinnati Volunteer Lawyers Project : “ Ms . F ”, a single African American female with a steady job at a local public school system . She lives in an urban neighborhood in Cincinnati . She came to Legal Aid because her wages were being garnished . Due to the garnishment , she was unable to find housing on her own and had to live with her mother . The bankruptcy discharge stopped the garnishment . In addition , the LASCV attorney was able to get a creditor to return over $ 1,000 in wages to Ms . F . that had been garnished in the 90 days prior to the filing of the petition .
2023 DEI Grants
In 2022 the Foundation and the Committee took on a more active role in implementing the College ’ s DEI initiatives . The Committee has been working closely with the leadership of the DEI Committee and the Foundation to expand the Foundation ’ s grant function to include programs designed to implement those goals . The Committee recommended approval of 6 grant requests totaling $ 66,675 for DEI initiatives . These recommendations were approved by the DEI Committee and the Foundation Board . The grantees are located in Washington State , New York , Michigan , Louisiana and Massachusetts . Here are 2 of the programs that were funded this year :
• The Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Court Internship Program : The FBA seeks to promote diversity and inclusion within the Eastern District of Michigan and has made it part of its mission to work with the
community to build a pipeline of diverse talent in the legal profession . They believe that one way to attract diverse individuals to the practice of bankruptcy law is by offering internships to students with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan . This includes internships with bankruptcy judges and with the Clerk of Court ’ s office . In 2022 , the Bankruptcy Committee applied for and received a $ 7,500 grant from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation to fund : ( i ) two law clerk internships ( for diverse law students ) with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan , and ( ii ) one internship ( for a diverse undergraduate student ) with the Clerk of Court ’ s office . It is the Bankruptcy Committee ’ s desire to offer these internships again in 2024 .
• Cents Program , Seattle Washington received a grant to produce an educational video for high school students so they can make an informed decision about their postsecondary education or training and minimize student loan debt . The video will be designed to reach students of color and they will be involved in the design and distribution of the video .
Let ’ s Get Those Applications In !
If you are aware of a worthy pro bono program ( particularly if they are not a current grant recipient ), please encourage them to submit an application on or before May 15 . Likewise , if you are aware of a worthy DEI program , please encourage them to apply also . We have a rolling deadline this year for DEI applications . Thank you again for your generosity and for enabling us to be able to make a difference in so many lives .
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