Thanks to the loyal support and generosity of our donors, more Coloradans receive the legal help they need to protect themselves and their families. View an electronic version of the newly released 2015-16 Annual Report.
Dear Friends:
Anniversaries are an important part of life. They bring to mind defining events, both personal and cultural, and they give us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and where we’ve been. Whether we’re celebrating the birth of a loved one or the 4th of July, an anniversary puts a pin on the calendar to remind us of the occasions, people, and values that matter most to us.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Legal Aid Foundation, and it is indeed something to celebrate. Founded in 1981, our mission was, and still is, to promote equal access to justice by raising funds to provide civil legal aid for low-income Coloradans.
Many things have changed since 1981. Colorado then had multiple federally-funded legal aid programs. Those programs were consolidated in 1999 into a single statewide program, to improve services and to take full advantage of economies of scale. Now, legal aid is frequently provided in ways that were unimaginable in 1981, using technologies such as interactive online form preparation, Skype, and live-chat.
Some things, however, have not changed. One constant has been your commitment to equal justice. It’s reflected in the exceptional leadership and support the Foundation has enjoyed since its inception, and in the consistent and significant growth of our annual campaign. The most important constant though is the incredible difference you’ve made, and continue to make, in the lives of low income Coloradans. You don’t just open the doors to our justice system and level the playing field; you provide pathways out of poverty for individuals and families who are trying to build a better life for themselves.
So – Happy Anniversary! Over the course of the last 35 years, through your deep and abiding commitment to “justice for all”, you’ve changed more lives than you can imagine.
Thank you for your generous and ongoing support.
–Chris W. Ford, Board of Trustees Chair, Legal Aid Foundation
– Jonathan D. Asher, Executive Director, Colorado Legal Services
– Diana M. Poole, Executive Director, Legal Aid Foundation.