LSHV awarded grants from United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV), the only provider of comprehensive civil legal services to those that cannot afford it in the seven counties of the lower and mid-Hudson Valley, was awarded two grants by United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region (UWDOR).

LSHV was awarded a $20,000 grant from United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region in support of its Homelessness Prevention and Income Stabilization Services in Dutchess and Orange Counties. This increased funding will enable LSHV to provide free civil legal services to even more residents of Dutchess and Orange. LSHV also received a $7,000 grant towards its Veterans & Military Families Advocacy Project in Dutchess County. This renewed grant allows LSHV to provide assistance to those who have served our country and are now facing civil legal issues, including housing matters and unlawful denial of the public benefits they have earned through their service.

“United Way is proud to partner with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. We commend their work to prevent homelessness, fighting evictions and foreclosures, funded in part through a Community Fund grant from United Way,” stated Jeannie Montano, President & CEO of United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. “Together we are fighting to keep families together in their homes. For the second year, United Way also is supporting Legal Services' work with local veterans. Together we are fighting for every person in our community.”

In 2017, LSHV attorneys handled 2,429 cases for residents of Dutchess County, which impacted approximately 5,500 household members. During that same period, LSHV handled 2,625 cases for residents of Orange County, impacting more than 6,150 household members.

LSHV’s CEO, Barbara Finkelstein, said “We wholeheartedly thank our long-time partners at United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, whose continued support is integral to our work in the pursuit of justice for all.”

Founded in 1967, LSHV is the only provider in the Hudson Valley of free, comprehensive, legal services in civil matters (noncriminal) for individuals and families who cannot afford an attorney when their basic human needs are at stake. This includes urgent legal needs such as: domestic violence (orders of protection, child custody, etc.), housing emergencies (eviction and foreclosure prevention), healthcare, children's law and advocacy, disability and benefits, elder law, consumer fraud and more. In pursuit of this mission, LSHV maintains a staff of 136 individuals, including 82 attorneys and 27 paralegals working across nine offices throughout our service area.

For more information about Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, to volunteer, or contribute, please visit www.lshv.org, or contact Tom Gabriel, Chief Development Officer, at 914-949-1305 ext 160.

Pictured here (L-R): Rachel Johnson, UWDOR Vice President of Resource Development; LSHV's Chief Development Officer, Tom Gabriel; LSHV’s Director of Development for the Mid-Hudson Valley, Loretta Spence; Jeannie Montano, UWDOR President & CEO; Emily Sassano, UWDOR Community Heroes Project AmeriCorps Member; Jazmin Awada, UWDOR Community Impact Coordinator; Patrick DeLeon, UWDOR Financial Empowerment VISTA.