The students who participated in the program received valuable experience. The judges in our district reported having a very positive experience working with the students. Chief Judge Daniel Opperman( Bankr. E. D. Mich., who is being inducted as a Fellow in the spring) previously submitted a letter to the College noting what a successful program this was and thanking the College for its support.
• Legal Services Eastern Michigan( Flint, Michigan). The LSEM ACBF grant project successfully developed and published a 20-page educational civil legal comic book focused on bankruptcy with input from private attorneys. The comic book was designed to make information about individual legal rights accessible to diverse audiences and demystify the process. The comic book features relatable, multidimensional characters facing financial challenges, each navigating bankruptcy from a unique cultural and socioeconomic perspective. By incorporating historical and diverse context about disparate impacts on marginalized communities, the comic book not only educates readers about the legal process but also highlights systemic inequities. This approach continues to further our DEI efforts by addressing financial literacy through a lens of inclusion and equity. In practice, the comic book has been sent to print for distribution to community partners across the state and our 14-county service area, including legal aid organizations, bar associations, courtrooms, libraries, schools, community centers, and more. This resource will serve to reduce the stigma around bankruptcy and foster empowerment through knowledge. The accessible format and culturally relevant narratives support a better understanding of individual rights and options, including recent updates relating to student loans. The project also serves to initiate critical conversations about financial literacy, systemic inequality, and access to justice. By integrating storytelling with legal education, this project will continue to advance our vision of an inclusive legal system that ensures every individual has equal access to justice, regardless of status or means.
Let’ s Get Those Applications In For Our 2025 Grants!
If you are aware of a worthy pro bono program( particularly if they are not a current grant recipient) or a worthy DEI program, please encourage them to submit an application on or before May 15. Thank you again for your generosity and for enabling us to be able to make a difference in so many lives.
Click here to Apply for a Pro Bono Grant from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation
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