This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) – one of the most important civil legal aid partners in the U.S. For half a century, LSC has been Protecting the Promise of justice for all by providing millions of Americans throughout the country with access to legal resources that have had a life-changing impact.
They have also been a vital support for Inland Counties Legal Services for the vast majority of our organization’s 60+ year history. They remain one of our most essential funders, enabling our advocates to impact tens of thousands of residents in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Nationwide, they are the largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. Alongside LSC, ICLS is committed to closing the justice gap and giving our communities the tools they need to thrive.
“Too many Americans still cannot afford legal services. And for too many Americans, not being able to afford a lawyer still means the difference between providing for their families or losing their jobs; having a roof over their head or losing their home; putting food on the table or going hungry,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said at LSC’s 50th Anniversary Gala.
“And so, for too many Americans, the promise of equal justice under law has yet to be fulfilled. But for 50 years, LSC has been moving our country closer to fulfilling that promise and lowering barriers to justice.”
To celebrate those accomplishments, ICLS senior leadership and Board President Erica Alfaro traveled to Washington D.C to attend the gala and meet with congressional staff. Our team had to opportunity to discuss the importance of constituent access to the legal system on issues like fair housing, veterans’ benefits, domestic violence, burdensome medical debt, and so much more.
They were joined by attorneys from every corner of the nation to mark the impressive anniversary.
A special thanks goes out to all the California LSC programs that are protecting the promise alongside ICLS – Bay Area Legal Aid, California Indian Legal Services, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., Central California Legal Services, Inc., Community Legal Aid SoCal, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc., Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Legal Aid Society Of San Diego, Inc., Legal Services of Northern California, and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County.