Welcome
Letter
from
John Millard
What an exciting first year it has been for
our dedicated volunteer attorneys!
A
year ago, FBLC was nothing more than an idea by a group of lawyers
who
genuinely wanted to do something to help the less fortunate in our community
with
their legal needs. In just one short year, FBLC has evolved from an
idea
into a reality, with successful community outreach programs including our
Legal
Line, Will-A-Thon and volunteer lawyer matching program that have had an
immediate
impact in our community.
Since
partnering with The Arc to help low-income families obtain guardianship
of
incapacitated loved ones, FBLC has trained and certified 40 attorneys to
serve
as attorney’s ad litem in guardianship cases.
Our
partnership with The Fort Bend County Women’s Center provides for
the
unmet legal needs of victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. The
Women’s
Center is completing the final intake process on four cases for pro
bono
help from Fort Bend Lawyers Care. These cases are challenging and difficult,
and
will require a commitment of extensive time and expertise from our
volunteer
lawyers.
FBLC
has partnered with Child Advocates of Fort Bend to serve the legal
needs
of children in crisis and to celebrate the joy of providing children with a
permanent
family through adoption. As part of National Adoption Day in
November
2006, two Fort Bend County District Courts finalized the adoptions
of
26 children from foster care. Four volunteer attorneys from
Lawyers
Care assisted with the adoption of six children, spending an average of
15
hours on each case.
Fort
Bend Lawyers Care sponsors an annual Will-A-Thon for low-income
legal
services to senior citizens. FBLC looks forward to significantly increasing
and
expanding next year’s outreach to the elder population of our community
through
its partnership with Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels.
I
am honored to serve as the first Executive Director of FBLC, and I’m very
proud
of what we have accomplished in so short a time. It is truly fitting that as
we
honor our volunteers and supporters today we are joined by Texas Attorney
General
Greg Abbott, a former Supreme Court Justice and the state’s chief law
enforcement
official. As
that
fosters hope and opportunity for all of its citizens. FBLC appreciates
General
Abbott’s presence and inspiring words today.
I
sincerely thank all of the dedicated volunteers and generous supporters
who
have helped FBLC in its mission to serve
in
FBLC is truly an investment in your community!
John
R. Millard