Advanced Health Directives To Be Offered To Contra Costa Co. Seniors Through New Partnership

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA -- Contra Costa Senior Legal Services, a long-established organization exclusively serving seniors in Contra Costa County, is launching on July 14 a unique free legal clinic for seniors.

The new clinic will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Concord Senior Center on Thursday, July 14, 11:45 a.m. at 2727 Parkside Circle in Concord.

Located in Concord’s Senior Center, the monthly clinic will offer the county’s seniors Advance Health Care Directives, prepared by attorneys from American International Group, Inc. on a pro bono basis. An AHCD allows an individual to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if a time comes when one cannot speak or advocate for oneself, and it ensures that decisions and values remain in effect.

With this three-way partnership with AIG and the City of Concord, CCSLS launches its new Pro Bono Partners program -- the first of its kind in the county to partner with a private corporation and municipality to provide free legal clinics for seniors.

CCSLS Executive Director Verna Haas applauded AIG for becoming the first private company in the county to leap aboard: “We are thrilled that AIG has stepped up to the plate to help our community’s older population. CCSLS is proud to have a pro bono partner like AIG that is willing to think outside the box to deliver legal services in an innovative way.”

Timothy Wagner, managing attorney of AIG’s staff counsel legal department at its Concord office, said, “AIG is excited to partner with CCSLS and the City of Concord to provide this free clinic to our seniors. AIG has a long-standing commitment to pro bono work and to giving back to our communities. We are grateful to be part of this one-of-a-kind partnership, and for the opportunity to serve and empower our seniors.”

Clinic appointments can be made by seniors aged 60 and older by calling the Concord Senior Center at (925) 671-3320.

About CCSLS

Founded in 1976, CCSLS is a private non-profit organization that provides free civil legal aid to about 1,000 seniors annually in Contra Costa County, advising on issues of elder abuse, housing/homelessness prevention, consumer law, and others. CCSLS operates 19 satellite clinic programs countywide by recruiting an army of pro bono attorneys, including “Consult-An-Attorney” workshops, Free Wills Clinics for low-income seniors, and specialty clinics such as the Senior Self-Help Clinic at the Peter Spinetta Family Law Center in Martinez.

About AIG

AIG is a global insurance organization. Founded in 1919, today it provides a wide range of property casualty insurance, life insurance, retirement products, mortgage insurance and other financial services to customers in more than 100 countries and jurisdictions.

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