PRO BONO COMMITTEE:  ANNUAL REPORT 2010 – 2011

Since the annual meeting last year, the Pro-Bono Committee has continued it’s paralegal volunteer opportunities with The Family Tree, an organization dedicated to providing a broad range of services to families and the youth of metro Denver. Approximately eight RMPA members are currently involved with The Family Tree bi-monthly legal aid clinics held in Jefferson County and the monthly legal aid clinics held in Adams County.  The Clinics are always looking for assistance so if you are interested, you are invited to volunteer. Please contact Janice Lancaster for more information at treasurer@rockymtnparalegal.org.

Many of the people who attend the Jefferson County legal clinics are seeking help with divorce and/or child custody issues and are not financially able to hire an attorney.  Initially, each person attends a group meeting with a family law attorney and then meets privately with a paralegal who helps complete the necessary paper work for pro se representation in dissolution, custody and post decree proceedings.  Many of the women seeking help are living at The Family Tree shelter and have few resources.

The Adam County clinic assists kinship families raising non-biological children (grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins) in completing pro se documents regarding custody, guardianship and adoption proceedings.

In addition, several members of the Pro-Bono Committee participate each year in the Denver Homeless Connect program, initiated by Mayor Hickenlooper to end homeless in Denver.

During the winter holiday season, several RMPA members donated time and initiated collection efforts for the Arapahoe County Santa Claus Workshop, the Catholic Charities Adopt-a-Family and the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The Pro-Bono Committee is considering volunteer opportunities with the Urban Peak organization for 2011.  Volunteer opportunities are posted through the e-groups weekly memo. Please contact Janice Lancaster (treasurer@rockymtnparalegal.org) if you have any questions or have volunteer opportunities you would like to recommend to the Committee.

The Pro-Bono Committee thanks the RMPA members for their involvement with The Family Tree and other community organizations.