Black History Month is an annual celebration of African Americans’ achievements and a time to recognize their central role in U.S. History. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson, and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. President has officially designated February Black History Month.
This month we are amplifying Black Voices by sharing the stories of the Black Communities we serve. In our blog, you can read about how we helped Justin Gillis get custody of his nephew, how we helped tenants at Coppertree, Arbor Court, and Sand Piper Cove Apartments in Houston and Galveston fight discrimination, and how we advocated for the clean up of a Hurricane Harvey Debris Site placed across the street from a poor Black Neighborhood in Port Arthur.
This year’s theme is “Black Health and Wellness,” with a special emphasis on healthcare access and improving wellness. Our Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Project focuses on helping parents apply for Medicaid and CHIP for their children. The Project also handles appealing the denials of these benefits. Similarly, our Financial Assistance and Public Benefits Unit helps with appealing Medicare, Social Security Disability, and more.
If you or someone you know is in need of legal help, you can apply by visiting www.lonestarlegal.org or calling 1-800-733-8394.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves 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 with disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at https://www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: Media@LoneStarLegal.org
