LSHV receives $200,000 to serve veterans and military families

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV), the only provider of free, comprehensive, civil legal services in the Hudson Valley is proud to announce that New York State Senator James Skoufis and New York State Senator Jen Metzger secured $200,000 in the state budget in support of the organization’s Veterans and Military Families Advocacy Project.

The funding will allow LSHV to continue providing free legal representation to veterans in Orange County, Sullivan County and parts of Rockland County.

Veterans often face unique legal problems on their return from duty, and without the assistance of a trained attorney, many of them are unable to navigate the legal system on their own. It was with this understanding that LSHV’s Veterans and Military Families Advocacy Project (VMFAP) was created in 2012. The goal of the Project is to provide free legal advice and direct representation to veterans and their family members in civil (non-criminal) legal matters. LSHV’s VMFAP fosters the successful reintegration of Veterans into the community by helping them access benefits and services that support their basic human needs – housing, health, safety, etc.

“We are grateful to Senator Skoufis and Senator Metzger for ensuring that veterans in the Hudson Valley can continue to have access to legal representation. Thanks to the efforts of our State representatives, our Veterans and Military Families Advocacy Project can continue to provide free legal services to those who have served our country,” said Barbara Finkelstein, CEO of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. “The funds they secured in the state budget will protect basic human needs like housing, health care access, disability benefits and other critical legal matters for more than 1,000 Hudson Valley veterans.”

"Legal Services of the Hudson Valley goes above and beyond to provide necessary civil services to our veteran community," said Senator James Skoufis. "I'm thrilled that Senator Metzger and I were able to successfully secure $200,000 for LSHV's Veterans and Military Advocacy Project. No one should ever take legal advantage of our veterans and, with this funding, LSHV is there to make sure of it."

Senator Jen Metzger said, "I am proud that Senator Skoufis and I were able to successfully secure funding in the state budget so that Legal Services of the Hudson Valley can continue to serve our veterans who have sacrificed so much to serve all of us. This funding will ensure that veterans and their families in Sullivan and Orange counties have access to legal services and assistance when they need it and honor their contribution to our community and our country."

In 2018, LSHV handled 1,061 cases for veterans or their family members throughout our service area and across all practice areas. This included 309 cases handled for residents of Orange County, 57 cases handled for residents of Sullivan County, and 42 cases handled for residents of Rockland County. These clients were served, in part, thanks to ongoing funding from the state budget.

LSHV’s services to veterans and their families include: direct legal representation, litigation and/or negotiation in legal proceedings; legal advice and counsel to provide them with the tools they need to advocate on behalf of themselves; non-legal advice, information and referral to a continuum of care provided by our network of partnering human and social service organizations and veterans’ programs; and educational information through community workshops on legal issues.

About Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

LSHV is the only provider of free, comprehensive civil (non-criminal) legal services to low-income and disadvantaged 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. Founded more than 50 years ago, LSHV serves the seven counties of the lower and mid-Hudson Valley (Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan), maintaining a staff of 145 individuals – including 90 attorneys and 30 paralegals – working across ten offices throughout its 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 x160.