April is Financial Wellness month and Community Legal Aid has joined other Akron area social service agencies in offering financial wellness clinics and classes free to the community.

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs (SCOCA) is partnering with several agencies to recognize April as Financial Wellness Month. The observance will include a number of free classes, workshops and clinics designed to generate awareness of the financial education services available in the community.

The sessions will cover financial topics such as consumer debt, family budgeting, ways to improve a credit score, rights regarding debt and collection, planning for college, protecting your identity, avoiding financial fraud and schemes, preventing foreclosure, shredding personal documents and more.

“With last year’s success, we are again celebrating Financial Wellness Month,” said Cynthia Sich, director of the SCOCA. “Our local partnering professionals have lined up excellent free classes, workshops and clinics that will guide residents to a successful financial future.”

The partnering agencies will provide consumers with tools to make effective decisions regarding homes, money and credit, according to SCOCA officials. The presentations are intended for all consumers, from teens to senior citizens. The sessions are sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.

For a schedule of classes click here.

Representatives from Community Legal Aid Services, Inc. attended Akron Community Foundation's Women's Endowment Fund annual dinner March 28 in Akron where the Fund announced its $2 million dollar campaign.

The Fund, in 2012, awarded a $8,000 grant to HEAL, the medical/legal partnership between CLAS and Summa.

Sara E. Strattan, Attorney at Law and Executive Director of Community Legal Aid Services, Inc. was interviewed about the program by the Akron Beacon Journal for a story published March 29.

Low-income and elderly residents in the Youngstown area can now access quality civil legal advice at no charge thanks to a partnership between Community Legal Aid Services, Inc. and the law firm of Harrington, Hoppe and Mitchell, Ltd.

Four free legal clinics, staffed by HHM attorneys, will be offered in June, August, October and December at the Newport Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during the library’s evening hours. Specific times will be announced at a later date.

The venture between HHM, Youngstown’s largest law firm, and Community Legal Aid, a non-profit law firm serving eight counties including Mahoning, is unique to the Youngstown area.  It is the first time a local private law firm is to offer a series of four free legal clinics in one year.

“The staff and Board of Trustees of Legal Aid are thrilled that Harrington, Hoppe and Mitchell has agreed to provide free counsel and advice to low income and elderly people in our community,” says Jennifer J. van Dulmen, Managing Attorney for Community Legal Aid’s Volunteer Legal Services Program.

“With this combined effort, we hope to address their most basic legal needs.”

“This is an excellent way for us to provide solutions to problems for the needy in ways that we are not normally able,” says Attorney Shirley J. Christian, a member of HHM.

Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, Ltd. has offices in Youngstown, Warren and Salem. The firm provides legal solutions to corporations, other businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies and individuals. More information is available online at www.hhmlaw.com.

Community Legal Aid is committed to providing a range of civil legal services to individuals and families in central northeast Ohio. More information is available at www.communitylegalaid.org.

Tickets are now on sale for the PGA Bridgestone Golf Invitational at Firestone County Club in Akron Aug. 1-5, 2012!

Both $70 Weekly Grounds Tickets and $20 Any Day Grounds Tickets are available.

For every $70 ticket purchased, $52.50 goes back to Community Legal Aid and for every $20 ticket purchased, $15 goes back to Community Legal Aid - to serve low-income, disabled and elderly clients in Columbiana, Medina, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne Counties.

To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit www.buytfc.com & click on "Buy Tickets."

Select Community Legal Aid as your charity of choice and enter the code BALL in the space provided.

Every ticket purchased will help someone in need. Thank you for your support.

Legal Aid board member Geneva Reid was one of 11 recognized at the Trumbull County Community Stars banquet.

From the Tribune Chronicle, March 21, 2012:

WARREN - Nancy Olds told the large crowd gathered Tuesday at the Packard Music Hall that she took something she loves and put that passion into helping people.

Olds, 58, of Bazetta, was one of the 11 Trumbull County residents recognized during the 2012 Trumbull County Community Stars banquet. It was the 11th group to be selected from nominations sent in by Tribune Chronicle readers.

"I'm so touched and honored," Olds said.

For the past 15 years, Olds has trained therapy dogs like Yogi, the canine friend who accompanied her to the banquet, and certified dogs to be placed in the homes of people with disabilities.

Each Community Star received a plaque, presented by Tribune Chronicle General Manager F. Len Blose, and commendations from Gov. John Kasich, the State House of Representatives, City of Warren, Trumbull County commissioners, U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan and 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Diane V. Grendell.

This year's other honorees were Ali Bashir, 74, of Warren; Martin L. Cohen, 59, of Bazetta; Michele K. Jones, 43, of Howland; Helen Ruth McKenzie, 72, of Vienna; James J. Mariano, 94, of Warren; David Moore, 59, of Bazetta; Carol Olson, 68, of Howland; Ricky and Mackenzie Pasco, 14 and 10, of Hubbard; and Geneva Reid, 83, of Warren.

Reid, who has spent much of her life as an advocate for less fortunate people, said "to give God the glory" as she stood at the microphone after accepting her plaque. Referring to the words of what she called one of her favorite songs, she said, "If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my journey won't be in vain."

To read the full article click here

Photo/Community Legal Aid: Geneva Reid with City of Warren Mayor William D. Franklin

Executive Director Sara Strattan was a guest on WCPN 90.3 FM "Sound of Ideas" March 15.

For more information about the program or to hear the show Click Here