Dear Friends,
I am honored to be writing to you today to celebrate the work and support reflected in this Annual Report of the NH Campaign for Legal Services. Join me, and rejoice in the growth and successes of the Campaign, the programs the Campaign supports, and the individuals served by legal aid.
The following pages contain stories of inspiring growth, including the Campaign’s largest single-year growth in gifts. You, your friends, colleagues and neighbors gave nearly $570,000 in donations to the Campaign in 2023, making a strong and impactful statement in favor of equal access to justice.
Thanks to this increased support, NH Legal Assistance (NHLA) and 603 Legal Aid (603LA) were able to expand their courthouse-based clinics in Concord, Manchester and Nashua, providing on-the-spot legal assistance for even more families facing eviction and domestic violence survivors who needed help applying for a protective order to keep their families safe.
As you will read, your support meant that legal aid was there for Emma, Gino and Steve – all of them veterans who volunteered to serve our country.
The demand for legal aid among veterans is significant. Veterans often encounter unique legal challenges that require not only a deep understanding of the law but also specific training in dealing with complex Veterans Affairs systems. There is a stark paucity of attorneys in New Hampshire certified for this work.
The staff at 603LA recognized this gap, and mobilized this year to create the Hope for Heroes initiative to provide free legal services to eligible New Hampshire veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, focusing on those who require assistance with issues related to VA benefits, housing, and other civil legal matters. NHLA is ready to receive referrals from 603LA to assist Hope for Heroes veteran clients as needed.
Veterans just like Steve, Gino, and Emma.
Through Hope for Heroes, we aim to ensure that our veterans receive the support they deserve, empowering them to navigate their legal issues with confidence and dignity. I look forward so much to sharing stories from Hope For Heroes with you next year.
To me, the remarkable growth of legal aid in New Hampshire is encouraging. As a supporter of the Campaign, I know you share this sentiment.
But I remain humbled by the task before us. Hundreds of applicants are turned away from NHLA and 603LA without representation every year. Even more do not yet know about the power and potential of legal aid.
A Harris Poll survey found that nationwide, as many as 59% of people facing a civil legal issue did not reach out for legal help.
There is still much to do.
Last year, we considered what our programs truly needed to ensure all our neighbors have access to the legal system. When we asked you to help us make this a reality, so many of you answered the call.
To those of you who became the charter members of our Leadership Circle in 2023: Thank you. Thank you for prioritizing equal access to the law. You are fueling the future of legal aid in New Hampshire and creating even more opportunities for growth.
Megan Hilson
Campaign Leadership Council Chair
