On February 23, 2021, The Equal Justice Works announced the first ever Disaster Relilience Month set for March. A collaborative of organizations has teamed up to spread awareness about disaster-related challenges and offer resources for disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.
Throughout March, Lone Star Legal Aid will join Equal Justice Works, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the American Red Cross, and DisasterLegalAid.org in sharing information and resources for disaster survivors and lawyers who are supporting communities affected by COVID-19 and other disasters including hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and winter storms.
A fellow in the Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Program, Meghan Smolensky, will host a Facebook Live presentation alongside community partner, AARP Houston, to educate communities on their legal rights before, during and after a disaster and the legal services available to disaster survivors. The event will take place on March 25, 2021 at 2:00 PM CST on Facebook.com/LoneStarLegalAid.
Join the American Bar Association Disaster Legal Services Program, Equal Justice Works, Pro Bono Net, and Lone Star Legal Aid on March 31st, 2021 at 12 pm EST at the closing Disaster Resilience Awareness Month for a renewed version of best practices in working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Panelists will highlight the strategies programs have used in responding to “twin” disasters: COVID-19 and weather-related emergencies. During this program, you will hear from speakers from across regions who have responded to the needs of communities and families affected by the coronavirus pandemic and natural disasters, followed by an opportunity for others to share their best practices and tips. Registration details forthcoming.
About Disaster Resilience Awareness Month
Disaster Resilience Awareness Month is made possible thanks to the generous support of Equal Justice Works host organizations: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Disability Rights Texas, Lone Star Legal Aid, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc., and YMCA International Services.
The Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Program is funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the Bigglesworth Family Foundation, and individual contributions.
About Equal Justice Works
Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for public service into a lifelong commitment to equal justice. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.
About the National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center
The National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center (DisasterLegalAid.org) is the outgrowth of response efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and serves as a national website with self-help tools and legal information for people and communities impacted by natural disasters. DisasterLegalAid.org/Advocates is an online community for collaboration, communication, and networking among legal advocates serving disaster-affected individuals. DisasterLegalAid.org is a collaborative effort of Lone Star Legal Aid, Pro Bono Net, the American Bar Association, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, and the Legal Services Corporation.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves the millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at http://www.lonestarlegal.org.
