August Highlights
This month, we announced ticket sales for our annual Justice For All Gala. Through September 21st, tickets are only $40! Join us for an unforgettable evening with NYT best-selling author Bob Goff. If you haven't checked out his latest book, Everybody, Always, add it to your reading list today. Get your ticket now as you won’t want to miss one of the best storytellers in the country!
In His Image: A Message From Executive Director Chris Purnell
Where you come from can say a lot about you and what you care about. What you do for a living can be a helpful pointer to deeper things about you. But, as we know, this can go very dark very fast. Whenever we think that a person’s nationality, ethnicity, or some other category can sum them up in some simplistic way, we have veered off into some dangerous territory.
June Highlights
This June, we released our most recent episode of our Courting Justice podcast on Community Development Corporations. And Executive Director Chris Purnell shared his thoughts on the difficulties and necessity of building a community of trust.
Community Development Corporations: Courting Justice Podcast Episode 2x04
What are Community Development Corporations and what is their role in your community?
In this episode of Courting Justice, host Ashley Caveda speaks with Mike Bowling from Englewood CDC and David Cederquist from Brookside CDC, along with Clinic Executive Director Chris Purnell. Together, they address the above questions and share their stories of relational ministry within their communities, as well as the pitfalls of gentrification and how true community development can combat them.
May Highlights
This May, we met a client who fell behind on her mortgage after a series of misfortunes before she found her way to the Clinic's Housing Department. Also, we celebrated the fact that one of our long-time volunteer attorneys, Chad Pryor, was recognized by The Indiana Lawyer's LEADERSHIP IN LAW feature for 2018. And our Ft. Wayne office held its third annual Jazz 4 Justice at The Phoenix!
April Highlights
On the blog this month, Executive Director Chris Purnell urged us to fight with love and compassion, and we got to know Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Paralegal Kim Smith. We took a close look at our partner, Brookside Community Development Corporation, and the work they're doing to serve their neighborhood. We also introduced you to our Financial Counseling program, run by our Financial Counselor Angie Simmons. And, in honor of National Crime Victims' Rights Week this April, we shared the story of a client we are assisting through our Victim Justice Program.
March Highlights
This March was a whirlwind as the Legal Clinic participated in Brackets For Good 2018. Thanks to your generosity, we made it all the way to the Supported Sixteen, receiving $33,804.15 in donations during our three-week run!
Fight With Love: A Message From Executive Director Chris Purnell
Psalm 89:14 says “righteousness and justice are the foundation of [God’s] throne”—so far, so good. Nevertheless, the psalm goes on to say, “love and faithfulness go before you.” God is both just and loving, righteous and compassionate. And that is what he calls us to.
Brackets For Good Video: Best Friend Edition
Something strange is going on at the Legal Clinic... Help #TeamJustice make it past the Hamilton County Humane Society and into the Engaged 8 in #BFG18 by supporting pro bono legal services for low-income families. Please donate to Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic now.
Brackets For Good Video: Cinematic Edition
Ashley and Kate are pitching a new, cinematic strategy to Chris for Round 2 of Brackets For Good--but it doesn't go over so well.
Brackets For Good Video: Adorability Edition
Chris, Ashley, and Cassandra are brainstorming strategies for going against FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic in Round 1 of Brackets For Good 2018--and they have a theory on why their opponent is so competitive.
February Highlights
This February, Director of Legal Services Brian Dunkel wrote a message to followers about what it really means to love your neighbor and how our new client intakes are the first step in that process for the Clinic. We then dug in deep with Ft. Wayne Director Desiree Koger-Gustafson, learning how she changed her path from a medical career to a legal career.
Open Book with Chris Purnell
People are thinking about how to make the legal system work for actual people, and not just people with law degrees. We've still got a long way to go, but I am hopeful that we can begin to simplify access to our legal system as the years go on. The thought-experiment that we are doing is asking, "What would the legal system be like if it were made to be accessible?" Imagine that.
January Highlights
This January, we shared Executive Director Chris Purnell's thoughts on what it means to walk alongside those in need and to receive such care well when we ourselves are in need. This whole year, we will be exploring the theme of Belonging through our social media and blog posts. And, as the year goes on, we hope to learn more about how you participate in this community as well.
God With Us: A Message From Executive Director Chris Purnell
The psalms say that, “God is near to all who call on him, who call on him in truth” (Ps. 145:18). Our clients call out as they feel stymied and oppressed; our staff-team calls out as well; God comes near and provides guidance, comfort, and belonging.
Adieu, November!
According to a study from the Center for Criminal Justice Research, part of the Indiana University Public Policy Initiative, even a 1% decrease in Marion County's recidivism rate could save taxpayers $1.5 million. To help support the work of Project GRACE, please consider making a donation this #GivingTuesday.
Au revoir, October!
This October, we celebrated a record-breaking Justice For All Gala, featuring keynote speaker and NYT best-selling author Bob Goff. Leading up to the event, Board Member Matthew Barr shared his thoughts on why his firm, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, chooses to financially support the Legal Clinic. After the event, we summarized some of the best JFA highlights and shared a video featuring a client family that survived a genocide in Ethiopia.
See Ya, September!
This September, our Immigrant Justice Program has been especially busy. With DACA ending soon, the Clinic hosted three separate DACA days to help those eligible to renew complete their paperwork before the Oct. 5 deadline. In a recent blog post, Executive Director Chris Purnell shared his thoughts on how we ought to Abide with the DACA Youth through these uncertain times.
Abide with the DACA Youth: A Message from Executive Director Chris Purnell
Even awful things are better with other people. Currently, many of our clients are worried about a future that looks uncertain and bleak. Our young immigrant neighbors who have been here since they were children and are wondering why they are now considered “illegal” have just lost some hope. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) provided many of our immigrant youth with the ability to get a driver’s license, a job, and to pay taxes.