10/3/05

The State Bar of Michigan Access to Justice (ATJ) Fund has received $57,625 from two recent contributions that will benefit Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM).

The Miller Foundation in Battle Creek granted the ATJ Fund $47,000 for LSSCM to provide education and advocacy for rental housing quality and public benefits for low-income people in the Battle Creek area.

Another $10,625 was raised from a recent ATJ reception in Battle Creek from legal and corporate leaders in the community. State Bar of Michigan Immediate Past President Nancy J. Diehl and Calhoun County Bar Association President Kent A. Bieberich hosted and The Battle Creek Community Foundation sponsored the evening event.

The ATJ Fund, one of the State Bar's justice initiatives to ensure that a strong civil legal system is available to all individuals and families regardless of their financial means, supports legal aid programs such as Legal Services of South Central Michigan, through donor-designated contributions and annual grants. It is estimated that more than 46,000 low-income people received legal help last year from the 40 programs in Michigan that are eligible to receive ATJ Fund donations.

All contributions to the ATJ Fund are received and managed by the Michigan State Bar Foundation, a 501C(3) organization. For more information please contact Lesa Smith at 800.968.1442 ext. 6307.

Lisa McNiff (left) from Schroeder, DeGraw, Kendall, Mayhall, DeGraw & Dickerson presents Jennifer Schrand with the firm's gift to Legal Services of South Central Michigan at the Battle Creek reception.

###