By Angel Trinh
March 19, 2018
To launch its three-year plan to provide legal services in a modern, professional space, Legal Aid of Nebraska is hosting a fundraising event, “Jazz for Justice: An Evening with Karrin Allyson to Benefit Legal Aid,” on Saturday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Haymarket Theatre, 803 Q St, Lincoln, NE 68508.
Legal Aid of Nebraska is the largest nonprofit law firm in the state that serves all 93 counties. According to its website. the organization has been providing dignity, hope, self-sufficiency and justice through quality civil legal aid to low-income families for over 50 years. Legal Aid helps families solve matters of losing their home, children and/or paychecks to prevent them from falling deep into poverty and losing hope.
A fire on Feb. 19 in Legal Aid’s Lincoln office on the 8th floor of the Terminal Building at 10th and O Streets caused enough fire, smoke and water damage to force Legal Aid to find temporary office space at an alternate site. The organization has served Nebraskans for over 35 years at the Terminal Building location that includes an Access to Justice (A2J) Center as well as various programs such as the Juvenile Justice Project, the Farm and Ranch Program, Disaster Relief Project and the Ag Worker Rights Program. In January, Legal Aid had announced that it was expanding its office for more clients, volunteers and its growing number of professional and legal staff. Renovations had not yet begun at the time of the fire.
Five-time Grammy-nominated jazz recording artist Karrin Allyson is helping Legal Aid raise money for its renovations by performing at Jazz for Justice. Her set starts at 9 p.m. but the event opens at 7:30 p.m. when guests can enjoy dessert and cocktails while listening to jazz played by The Steve Thomburg Trio. Tickets cost $75 and can be purchased here.
Proceeds from Allyson’s performance will directly support Legal Aid’s renovation of a state-of-the-art-facility that will help thousands more low-income families in gaining free and direct legal services. It’s expanded A2J Center will include new technology and a larger client education space which will empower more clients to help themselves. A new volunteer space will allow more pro bono attorneys, social service workers and other professionals to join the effort against legal problems and barriers. Legal Aid will focus on hiring many new attorneys to encourage more passionate advocates to join the efforts in assisting poverty-stricken families with professional expertise and compassion.
Jazz for Justice is the first step in Legal Aid’s efforts to reach more families across Lincoln. They want to make equal justice happen for everyone in Nebraska, in everything they do. More information about Legal Aid can be found here.
Angel Trinh is an editorial intern with KZUM.
