LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MISSOURI

What’s Inside Introduction

1

Success Stories

11

Message From Executive Director

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Practice Areas

18

Case Statistics

23

Volunteer Attorney Project

25

Where We Work

29

Donations

33

Tributes

34

Financials

35

our People

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Throughout our annual report we use pseudonyms and stock photos to protect client confidentiality.

Legal Aid of Western Missouri has improved the lives of those in need through quality legal assistance since 1964. Legal Aid provides free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to people who need it most and can afford it least. With offices in downtown Kansas City, Joplin, St. Joseph, Warrensburg and a neighborhood office on Kansas City’s west side, Legal Aid serves a 40-county area where 281,000 people live in poverty.

www.lawmo.org LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MISSOURI ON @LegalAidTweets on TWITTER

THINK ABOUT IT… EVERY DAY, MISSOURIANS ARE DENIED ACCESS TO THE BASIC RIGHTS TO WHICH THEY ARE ENTITLED UNDER THE LAW, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY CAN’T AFFORD AN ATTORNEY.

EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE DOESN'T JUST MAKE SOME OF THE DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED. IT MAKES ALL OF THE DIFFERENCE!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN... STAYING IN A HOME & LIVING ON THE STREET A SAFE FAMILY LIFE & A LIFE OF FEAR & VIOLENCE PAYING FOR FOOD & MEDICINE & HAVING TO CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER

SINCE 1964, LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MISSOURI HAS BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE THAT MAKES CHANGE REAL IN THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF LOW-INCOME MISSOURIANS.

WE FIGHT FOR CHILDREN, VETERANS, THE ILL AND DISABLED, SENIORS, VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND MORE. LEGAL AID DOES IT ALL!

WE WORK TO ENSURE FAIR PLAY IN A COMPLEX SYSTEM THAT IS STACKED AGAINST OUR LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORS. BUT, GUESS WHAT... AFTER 50 YEARS, THE PLAYING FIELD STILL ISN’T LEVEL.

IT’S HARD TO PLAY IN A GAME WHERE YOUR OPPONENT HAS THE GEAR AND YOU HAVE NOTHING. OUR CLIENTS FACE THE LEGAL SYSTEM EMPTY-HANDED.

WITHOUT LEGAL AID, OUR CLIENTS WOULDN’T STAND A CHANCE. WITH LEGAL AID, THERE IS HOPE. THAT HOPE IS WHAT KEEPS US GOING. THAT HOPE IS WHAT WILL KEEP US GOING FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS.

AS A RESULT OF YOUR SUPPORT, EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ISN'T JUST A DREAM. IT'S A REALITY. WE THANK YOU! OUR CLIENTS THANK YOU!

Thanks to a hardworking Legal Aid Paralegal, Kimmie NOW receiveS regular medical care

meet Kimmie Kimmie came into the Legal Aid office for assistance with her MO HealthNet (Medicaid) appeal. She had massive swelling in her legs and feet; her feet and legs were discolored; and she had to wear flip-flops because she could not put shoes on her feet. She had several recent hospitalizations and emergency room visits but could not establish regular medical care. Her Legal Aid attorney obtained photographs of Kimmie’s feet, medical records and an affidavit from Kimmie. These were submitted to the hearing officer within the week requesting an on-the-record decision. A ruling was made in Kimmie’s favor and her Medicaid eligibility was established with prior quarter coverage. Kimmie had been receiving daily medical collection letters. Legal Aid sent letters to thirteen separate medical providers, notifying them of Kimmie’s Medicaid approval and advising that they could now submit their bills to the state for payment. Kimmie is now able to receive regular medical care and is very relieved to have her medical bills from the last year paid.

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Quick action by legal aid’s foreclosure prevention unit saved broderick’s home

meet broderick Broderick worked hard to set aside money to buy a house and for years made timely mortgage payments. But after Broderick became permanently disabled and could no longer work, he could not afford his $735 mortgage payment on his $996 monthly diability payment. He attempted to obtain a modification of his mortgage loan on his own, but his requests were denied. When his mortgage company threatened to foreclose, Broderick contacted Legal Aid for assistance. Broderick’s Legal Aid attorney reviewed his circumstances and determined that Broderick was eligible for a loan modification under the federal Home Affordable Modification Program. The attorney prepared and submitted to Broderick’s mortgage company a 26-page loan modification request with all of the necessary documentation. The loan modification was promptly granted, which brought Broderick’s loan current and reduced his interest rate from 6.625% to 2%, and his monthly mortgage payment from $735 to $386. The Legal Aid attorney also advised Broderick of the Missouri Property Tax Credit, which due to his disability and limited income should provide him with a much-needed tax refund each year. Thanks to Legal Aid, Broderick can now afford to pay his mortgage and other living expenses, and no longer worries about losing his home.

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odessa & her children are free from their abuser—they had legal aid on their side 14

meet odessa Odessa contacted Legal Aid for help with a divorce. Her husband, Rod, had physically abused her during their marriage, shoving her, slapping her in the face, throwing her around their kitchen and tackling her. He also forced her to engage in sexual acts against her will. Odessa finally moved to Oklahoma to escape the relationship, taking their two-year-old child with her. She was pregnant with their second child when Rod filed a divorce case against her in Missouri. Odessa thought about asking the judge to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction over child custody, but she ultimately decided to litigate in Missouri because she wasn’t sure she could obtain legal services in Oklahoma. Rod had an attorney and the case went to trial. Legal Aid presented recordings of phone conversations in which Rod was supposed to be talking to the twoyear-old but instead cursed at Odessa and called her names. Odessa’s Legal Aid attorney also introduced records showing that Rod harassed Odessa by calling her phone as many as twenty times in a two-hour period. The judge awarded Odessa sole legal and physical custody of the children, and ordered Rod to complete anger management counseling before he could have any unsupervised visitation with the children. The judge also ordered Rod to pay child support. Odessa now has financial support for her children. Most importantly, she will be able to make all of the decisions affecting her children without having to interact with her abuser. Her family will be safe and intact.

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“YOU ARE WISE AND GIVE SUCH GOOD COUNSEL. NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME, IT’S NICE TO HAVE SOMEONE HAVE MY BACK.” — ANGELA

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A message from the Executive Director In the summer of 2011, I saw one of the most inspir-

that includes a 6.2% increase over last year and we

ing visions of perseverance I’ve ever witnessed. I was

secured special funding for projects to help veterans,

in Joplin, meeting with our team there as they worked

low-income homeowners, former felons trying to

to help the community recover from the devastation

return to society and people seeking health insur-

of the May tornado.

ance under the Affordable Care Act.

After the meeting, I took a tour through what was

Like the new growth on the trees of Joplin, these are

left of the town. Amid the piles of rubble, there were

small steps in the recovery. For tens of thousands of

thousands of trees that had been savagely mangled

low-income people in western Missouri, life is still

by the tornado—all but a few core limbs had been

much harder than it was six years ago. I’m optimistic,

ripped off and they had lost all of their leaves. When

however, that these changes are harbingers of better

I had driven through in May, they looked dead, but

times ahead.

two short months later, they were starting to sprout branches and small green leaves were soaking up

I hope you enjoy meeting Kimmie, Broderick, Odessa

the summer sun—an act of tremendously beautiful

and our other Legal Aid clients whose stories you will

natural defiance and revival. It was a harbinger of the

find in this wonderful report. Please remember that

revival of the Joplin community.

their stories are a reflection of the work that our talented and dedicated staff did for more than six thou-

The last few years have been horribly difficult for our

sand clients in civil matters in 2013.

clients. Poverty has mushroomed in western Missouri even faster than it has elsewhere in the country.

With your support, the success that our staff had in

Foreclosures have been a cancer on our communi-

these cases is yet another harbinger of better things

ties and domestic violence has grown and the attacks

to come.

have become more violent . Thousands of people who are entitled to basic public benefits have been denied them. We are, however, starting to see some signs of hope



Gregg Lombardi

and recovery for our clients, as we and they fight



Executive Director

back against these hard times. In 2013, our Medicaid Appeals partnerships expanded and took root in St. Joseph, Nevada and Lamar. The Missouri Supreme Court adopted a modest dues increase of $30 that all Missouri lawyers will pay to support the work of the legal aid programs. Congress passed a budget 17

Our Main Practice Areas Family Law/ Domestic Violence Protection

Healthcare/State Benefits

For more than 30 years, Legal Aid’s largest practice

lems with state-administered public assistance pro-

area has been domestic violence prevention. Legal

grams. These programs include MO HealthNet for

Aid’s experienced family law advocates help ensure

the Aged, Blind and Disabled (Medicaid), Medicaid

lasting safety for survivors of domestic violence and

Spend Down, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB),

their children. We provide legal representation to

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB),

low-income survivors of abuse and secure protec-

temporary assistance, food stamps, childcare assis-

tive orders, establish paternity, obtain divorces and

tance, Blind Pension, Supplemental Aid to the Blind,

establish child custody and child support orders.

home and community-based services, among others.

Legal Aid represents people who experience prob-

Due to our limited resources, our attorneys accept only cases that involve domestic violence and prior-

Legal Aid also provides assistance to families, chil-

ity is given to those in which children are at risk.

dren and pregnant women to obtain and maintain their Medicaid coverage. We provide legal represen-

Effective legal representation, combined with our

tation to individual clients at administrative hearings

ability to refer clients to other community resources

and in negotiations with state agencies. We also pro-

for assistance with non-legal matters, has proven

vide advice and counsel to clients regarding eligibil-

to be one of the most effective means of stopping

ity requirements for public benefits programs. Our

domestic violence for our clients. With Legal Aid’s

partnerships with Truman Medical Center, Heartland

assistance, domestic violence survivors are able to

Health and other regional healthcare providers cre-

achieve physical safety and financial security. With

ates one of the largest Medicaid appeals networks

this support, victims are more likely to leave their

in the country, providing access to medical care for

abusers and have the personal and financial capac-

hundreds of low-income people every year.

ity to establish a life free from abuse. We conduct extensive community outreach and

Housing Assistance

education about public benefits. This work improves

Legal Aid’s housing advocates provide a broad

the quality of our clients’ lives through increased

array of legal services to clients living in poverty.

access to healthcare, food assistance and income

We primarily focus on public housing and Section 8

support programs.

housing. We also represent people with disabilities with accessibility issues, and we help other clients

Federal Benefits

with disputes over eligibility for public and subsi-

Legal Aid provides assistance to clients with federal

dized housing. Our housing counselors regularly pro-

benefit claims. Staff represent clients in administra-

vide advice or representation to help our clients avoid

tive hearings and in court to ensure they receive the

wrongful evictions, secure wrongfully withheld secu-

public benefits to which they are entitled. Typical

rity deposits and correct improper rent calculations.

claims involve benefits such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and Medicare.

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Foreclosure Prevention

low-income housing in Kansas City. Staff attorneys

Saving the homes of low-income, elderly and dis-

provide legal assistance to neighborhood associa-

abled homeowners is a Legal Aid priority. Due to the

tions seeking to remedy vacant, blighted homes,

lingering effects of the nationwide foreclosure crisis,

to nonprofit social service providers for low-income

thousands of Missourians face the imminent loss of

residents, and to community development corpora-

their homes — primarily due to job loss or disability,

tions seeking to rehabilitate and develop residential

high medical bills or other debts that forced them

units in their neighborhoods. Legal services include

to fall behind on loan payments leading to a home

property acquisition, financing, real estate closing

loan delinquency.

and syndication, tax abatement, zoning and contracts with service providers.

Through litigation in state and federal courts, we raise deficiencies in the foreclosure process and fre-

Employment Law

quently are able to stop foreclosure sales or to set

Legal Aid assists many workers to obtain unem-

aside legally invalid sales. We file Chapter 13 bank-

ployment benefits when they are terminated from

ruptcies to stop the foreclosure process and allow

employment through no fault of their own. Staff

homeowners additional time to repay or restruc-

also advise employees regarding their rights under

ture their debts and also to contest improprieties in

the equal employment laws.

the foreclosure process. Legal Aid also negotiates directly with loan servicers to pursue loss mitigation options, including loan modifications to reduce interest rates and payments. We counsel homeowners and tenants on their legal options before and after a home is foreclosed and provide legal representation when needed.

Consumer Legal Aid advises and represents low-income clients, particularly seniors living on Social Security, in a variety of consumer issues. These include cases involving utility shutoffs, predatory loans, home repair, warranty claims, illegal and unfair debt collection practices and other debtor-creditor issues.

At times, homeowners living on a small retirement or disability income fall behind in paying their prop-

Immigration Law Project

erty taxes and are faced with tax sales. Legal Aid

Legal Aid staff represent individuals and their fami-

helps homeowners save their homes through tax

lies in immigration cases including applications for

redemption contracts, filing Chapter 13 bankrupt-

work permits, temporary and permanent resident

cies or seeking legal redress due to deficiencies in

status and United States citizenship. Legal Aid also

tax sale proceedings.

provides advice on immigration issues to the immigrant victims of domestic violence, as well as training

Economic Development

for caseworkers at domestic violence shelters and

The Economic Development Unit represents non-

others assisting battered immigrants and those who

profit community organizations in neighborhood

are victims of violent crime and human trafficking.

improvement activities, including the creation of

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ry

’s histo A look back at Legal Aid

Legal Aid transforms public housing in Kansas City The transformation of public housing in Kansas City began in 1989 when Julie Levin, the Managing Attorney of the Central Office of Legal Aid of Western Missouri, filed the Tinsley vs. Kemp et al lawsuit in Federal District Court on behalf of public housing tenants and applicants. The lawsuit was filed against the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri (HAKC) and HUD. The suit alleged severe uninhabitable living conditions in Theron B. Watkins causing the de facto demolition of the development. HAKC had violated federal law requiring housing authorities to obtain approval from HUD before demolishing a public housing development. In 1991, HAKC and HUD entered into a Consent Decree that required the complete renovation of Theron B. Watkins and the desegregation of public housing in Kansas City. However, HAKC and HUD soon violated the provisions of the decree and, after two contempt hearings, HAKC was placed in receivership.

Riverview Apartments: Before and After

As a result of the receivership, the court ordered the renovation of all of HAKC’s properties and the pres-

has entered into development partnerships to create

ervation of its resources. This resulted in the one-

new mixed-income and affordable housing devel-

for-one replacement of any public housing unit that

opments. HAKC now provides housing or housing

was sold or demolished. A tenant organization, the

assistance to more than 10,000 low-income families

Public Housing Resident Council (PHRC), was formed

and has a public housing waiting list of nearly 9,500

and has assisted Ms. Levin in monitoring all HAKC

families and a Section 8 voucher waiting list of over

policies, procedures, operations and the construc-

17,000 families.

tion and development of HAKC’s properties. Under receivership, HAKC became a model public

If HAKC compliance continues, the Tinsley case will

housing authority cited by HUD as a housing author-

be dismissed in April 2015.

ity to emulate. The agency has renovated or replaced nearly every public housing unit in Kansas City and

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HAKC was removed from Receivership in April 2014.

Special Projects Legal Aid continues to develop innovative partnerships and programs designed to concentrate legal services in areas of particular need in our client community. ABANDONED HOUSING ACT PROJECT (ST. JOSEPH) ADVOCATES FOR FAMILY HEALTH AFFORDABLE CARE ACT PROJECT BENEFICIARY DEED PROJECT fair housing project LOW-INCOME TAXPAYER CLINIC MEDICAL LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH: • BARTON COUNTY HOSPITAL • HEARTLAND HEALTH (ST. JOSEPH) • KANSAS CITY CARE CLINIC • NEVADA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER • ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL System • TRUMAN MEDICAL CENTER MIGRANT FARMWORKERS PROJECT NEIGHBORHOOD ATTORNEY PROJECT POST-FORECLOSURE TASK FORCE PROJECT ASSIST-NORTHWEST (PROTECTIVE ORDERS) PROTECTING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES PROJECT (PROTECTIVE ORDERS) RURAL ASSISTANCE NOW (PROTECTIVE ORDERS) Specialty court programs with KC municipal court • DRUG COURT • MENTAL HEALTH COURT • VETERANS’ TREATMENT COURT VETERANS PROJECT VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROJECT SPECIAL PROJECTS • ABANDONED HOUSING ACT PROJECT • DOM. VIOLENCE INTERVENTION MENTORSHIP PROJECT • EDUCATION PROJECT • ELDERLY OUTREACH PROGRAM • HOMELESS OUTREACH • LOW INCOME TAXPAYER CLINIC ATTORNEY PANEL • Neighborhood adoption project • PRO BONO PROGRAM FOR BANKRUPTCY LITIGATION • PROJECT CONSENT (GUARDIANSHIPS) • PRO SE DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE CLINICS • TRANSACTIONAL LAW PROJECT

•

URBAN CORE ESTATE PLANNING PROJECT

VOICES IN COURT (PROTECTIVE ORDERS) ZOMBIE DEBT ERADICATION PROGRAM

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ry

’s histo A look back at Legal Aid

Consolidated Domestic Violence Docket is now the Norm The past few decades have seen dramatic changes in the response to domestic violence in states and communities throughout the United States. Some of the earliest efforts to improve Kansas City’s response came out of Legal Aid of Western Missouri in the mid-1980s. Legal Aid staff was concerned about the way domestic violence cases were handled by the police and courts. In 1985, they established Project Assist to do broad-based systems advocacy and to work with law enforcement agencies on domestic violence issues.

Legal Aid organized a Court Watch in the Kansas City Municipal Court to demonstrate the need for a consolidated domestic violence docket.

As part of this effort, Legal Aid recruited a number

The Court Watch also analyzed data on the dispo-

of community organizations and formed a Court

sition of domestic violence cases and found that

Watch in the Municipal Court to demonstrate the

the outcomes were unpredictable, both within and

need for a consolidated domestic violence docket.

across courtrooms, as compared to other types of cases which had more predictable outcomes. For

Because domestic violence cases were heard in all

example, 60 percent of shoplifters were convicted

eight of the Municipal Court courtrooms, they were

of an offense and that percent did not vary sig-

often handled inconsistently by different judges.

nificantly across courtrooms. In domestic violence

In addition, it was difficult for advocates to assist

cases, however, less than 30 percent of offenders

victims with cases pending in multiple courtrooms.

were found guilty, and the outcomes varied widely.

The Court Watch Coalition included domestic violence shelters, as well as influential and highly-

The Court Watch prepared a report and recom-

credible community groups such as the Junior

mended changes. This report provided the sup-

League and the National Council of Jewish Women.

port needed for the Circuit Court’s presiding judge

Legal Aid provided oversight and training for the

to order the Municipal Court to dedicate an entire

Court Watch.

docket to domestic violence cases.

For several weeks, the “court watchers” monitored

The Municipal Court’s dedicated domestic violence

the courtrooms and found that, in general, domes-

docket continues today. And, Legal Aid’s Domestic/

tic violence victims had very bad experiences in

Family Law unit continues to make great strides in

the court system. The project documented judges

securing rights, protections and services for victims

making inappropriate comments and treating the

of domestic violence.

victims poorly. 22

Our Numbers Family Law & Domestic Violence Domestic Abuse Protective Orders Domestic Abuse: Marital Dissolution Child Custody and Safe Visitation Other Family Law casework Juvenile Neglect and Abuse Paternity & Child Support

30.8% 13.3% 7.5% 5.4% 3.3% 0.7% 0.4%

1,704 739 417 300 184 40 24

Housing Federally Subsidized & Other Public Housing Tenant Rights Homeownership Foreclosure Prevention Bankruptcy to Prevent Foreclosure Beneficiary Deeds

21.4% 7.6% 5.4% 2.8% 2.5% 2.4% 0.6%

1,185 422 300 157 138 132 36

Healthcare Medicaid Appeals Mo Healthnet Appeals Other Healthcare Casework

19.2% 14.0% 2.6% 2.6%

1,065 776 146 143

Public Benefits Income Maintenance Food Stamp Appeals Social Security Appeals Social Security- Disability Consumer Law

9.5% 2.7% 2.5% 2.2% 2.1%

528 152 139 123 114

7.6%

423

Adult Guardianship, POA/Advance Directives

3.1%

173

Education, Employment & Tax Issues

2.9%

163

Guardianship for Minors & Adoption

2.5%

137

Immigration & Agricultural Worker Issues

1.7%

94

Economic Development & misc. community

1.2%

69

TOTAL Civil Cases Closed



Total KCMO Municipal Court cases Total 2013 closed cases



5,541

7,719 13,260

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“MY VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY WAS EXCELLENT. ALTHOUGH HE VOLUNTEERED HIS SERVICES, HE TREATED ME WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT. HE WAS VERY UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSIONATE” — EDUARDO

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Volunteer Attorney Project The Volunteer Attorney Project (VAP) places eligible clients with private attorneys who agree to provide free legal representation to those who otherwise could not afford it. The private attorneys who volunteer their time through VAP believe in the principle of equal access to the legal system, of making “justice for all” more than just a promise. These attorneys are convinced that our legal system must work for all its citizens, and they donate their time and considerable talents to make that ideal a reality. During 2013, VAP attorneys closed 596 cases representing more than 3,098 hours of legal representation, approximately $619,600 worth of legal services. The following attorneys accepted new VAP cases in 2013.

KANSAS CITY JASMIN ABOU-KASSEM TODD ABPLANALP JOHN AISENBREY MILLARD ALDRIDGE NANCY ALEMIFAR DANIEL ALLEN COLLIN ALTIERI JASON AMERINE DAVID ANDERSON TERESA L. ANDERSON LOUIS ANGLES DWIGHT ARN RUSSELL C. ASHLEY JOHN AZIMI-TABRIZI ANNE BAGGOTT MIRIAM BAILEY JOHN BARKER, III DAVID BARLOW TRACY BARNES JAMES BELL JENNIFER BERHORST ALYSSA MARIE BERNARD JAMES BERNARD, JR. JUDITH BERRY MARY ELLEN BIGGE NANCY BLACKWELL ALLEN BLAIR MARY BETH BLAKE VAL BLEVINS JONATHAN BORTNICK STEVE BOUGH SUSAN BRATCHER FAITH BRENNAN DOUG BREYFOGLE

JOHN M. BRIGG CATHERYN BROOKS GARY BROUILLETTE WALTER BROWN LEE BRUMITT FRED BRYANT C. ROBERT BUCKLEY BRETT BURMEISTER SAM BURNETT CHRISTOPHER BURTON STEPHANIE BURTON RYAN CALLAHAN JOSEPH CAMBIANO ROBIN CARLSON LYDIA CARSON ANDREA CHAMBERS SEEMA CHAWLA GINA CHIALA JOHN CHICK, JR. CARL CHINNERY TERESA CHU MATTHEW CLAIR-FEMRITE ROBERT CLARKE GARY COLLINS NATALIE COOK HEATHER COUNTS-GARRETT CHERYL COWHERD ERIN MAYFIELD CRAIG B.J. CRAIG FRED CROUCH HADEN CRUMPTON CHARLES CURRY DANA CUTLER KEITH CUTLER DON DAGENAIS TOM DALTON

JASON DAVEY DONALD L. DAVIS GARDINER DAVIS PAUL DAVIS KENDALL DAY TOM M. DEACY DAVID DEAN JAY DEHARDT JEFF DEINES SHERRY DEJANES DAVID DESIMONE DANIEL DEVINE COULTer DEVRIES JANEEN DEVRIES JONATHAN DILLY JENNIFER DODSON BRIAN J. DOHERTY JENNIFER DOUGAN ERICA DRISKELL CARLY DUVALL steven EFFERTz JAMES ENSZ MICHAEL FIELDING JENNIFER FINCH NICOLE FISHER BRITTANY FLETCHER EDWARD FORD, III MICHAEL FORTIN MICHAEL FOSTER DENNIS R. FOWLER JANE FRANCIS JAMES FREEMAN, III MARSHA FRIEDMAN DAVID FRENSLEY BRIAN GADDY SHERYLE GALLANT

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Volunteer Attorney Project (continued) VINCE GAULTIER DOUGLAS GHERTNER STANLEY GILLESPIE SARA GILLETTE STEVE GILLEY LINDSAY GIRSE BARBARA GLESNER-FINES JUAN GOMEZ CHRISTINA GONDRING ROBERT GORDON CHARLES GOTSCHALL HUNTER GOULD GENE GRAHAM MIKE GRIER STEPHEN GRIFFIN RACHEL GUTHRIE ANGELA HABEEBULLAH DEBORA HALE DANIEL HALL SHANE HAMMAN LAWRENCE HAMEL SARAH VOSS HANSEN JOANI HARSHMAN JAMES HART KRISTI HARTMANN JOHN HASTINGS BLAKE HEATH BEN HEMBREE TYLER HENSON NICK HERGOTT DAVID HICKEY ANGELA HIGGINS TIM HILTON MICAH HOBBS ROD HOFFMAN MATTHEW HOLDMAN CHARNISSA HOLLIDAY-SCOTT CHARICE HOLTSCLAW CAMRON HOORFAR LYNN HOOVER STEPHEN P. HORN TEDRICK HOUSH WILLIAM HUBBARD JOHN P. HURLEY ALEXANDRA HUTCHINGS ASHLEY IRWIN

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DALE IRWIN NANCY L. JACKSON KRISTEN JACOBS CHRIS JAVILLONAR KATHLEEN A. JEANETTA CHARLIE JENSEN JOSEPH JEPPSON MAX JEVINSKY NANCY JOCHENS BEN JOHNSTON ANDREW JONES DANA KAISER BARRY KATZ KEVIN KELLY MATTHEW KENTNER TYSON KETCHUM JOHN KILGORE RYAN KILIANY D. BRYANT KING, III J. SCOTT KING JEN KIPER DEBRA KNAPP RYAN KNIPP LLOYD KOELKER CHRIS KORTH ABRAHAM KUHL JOHN KURTZ ADAM LABODA JESSE LANGFORD THOMAS LASLEY LAURI LAUGHLAND TERRY LAWSON, JR. GARY LEFTRIDGE MEGAN LEIMKUEHLER BRENDA LEPPIN THERESA LEVINGS JACK LEWIS HEATHER LOTTMANN HOWARD LOTVEN HAROLD LOWENSTEIN AMY LUCK MELISA LUDEMAN ELIZABETH LYNCH KAY MADDEN JEAN MANEKE RYAN MANIES

ANTHONY MARTINEZ SHANE MCCALL WILLIAM MCCOLLUM BRAD MCCORMACK MEGAN MCCURDY REBECCA MCMAHON TAMEE MCVEY ANNA MARIA MERRITT JOSIE METZLER MARTIN M. MEYERS CHRIS MILES CHRISTINA MILLER JOHN MILLER R.B. MILLER TONY MILLER CHRIS MIRAKIAN JASON MOEHLMAN LEE MOORE MAURICE MOSS JAMES MUELLER TIM MURPHY MOLLY NAIL ROGER NAIL TOM NANNEY KELSEY NAZAR DAVID NEUENDORF LEXI NGUYEN DOUGLASS NOLAND HUGH O’DONNELL VINCENT O’FLAHERTY JANET OLIVER DANA OUTLAW NATHAN OWINGS DENNIS PALMER TEAGUE H. PASCO RYAN PATTON LINDSAY PERKINS BENDA PETERSONS JIM PETRIE STEVEN PETRY WILLIAM PIEDIMONTE JOHN R. PINK LARRY PITTMAN DEBORAH POLK MELISSA POSEY SUSAN PRATHER

KEVIN PREWITT CHRISTY PULIS PAM PUTNAM JENNIFER REAGAN BLAKE REEVES MARGARET RICHARDS ROBERT W. RICHARDS R. SCOTT RICHART WILLIAM ROBERTS AMANDA ROBINSON TRACY L. ROBINSON JAMES ROSENBLOOM THOMAS ROSZAK JEFFREY ROYER JOHN RYAN, JR. NEIL SADER G. MARK SAPPINGTON TINA SCHAEFER DAVID SCHATZ ANDREW SCHENDEL KRYSTle SCHERLING-DUNN KIMBERLY SCHEuerMAN BEN SCHMITT ASHLEY SCHOENJAHN WILLIAM SCHUTTE EMILY SCHWAPPACH MAUREEN SCULLY TIMOTHY SEAR DARREN SHARP JUDITH SHARP DAVID SHAVER RYAN SHAW STEVEN SHEPHERD HEATHER SHORE MALIKA SIMMONS GINA SIMONE JOHN M. SIMPSON WALTER SIMPSON ANTHONY SMITH JOHN SOMMER SHANNON SORENSEN DAVID SPENCER ANGELA SPLITTGERBER JANICE STANTON TONI STEGEMAN RACHEL STEPHENS

WILLIAM STILLEY JAMES STILLEY, JR. ROBERT STOPPERMAN STEVEN STREEN DAN STURDEVANT MICHAEL SVETLIC LARRY SWALL JAMES SWANEY TIM SWANSON SUSAN SZCzUCINSKI MONICA TANZEY CASSANDRA TERHUNE SCOTT THEIN RON THIEWES JAMES TIPPIN KELLY TOBIN CHRIS TROPPITO PAUL TURVEY LAURA TYLER D. PAUL TYSON JENNIFER VATH MATTHEW VERSCHELDEN RICHARD WAGSTAFF COURTNEY WAITS JOHN WATT BRIAN WEBB VICTOR WEBER BERNARD WEINAND DOUG WEMHOFF FRANK WENDT ERIC WESLANDER RYAN WESTHOFF JEROME WHEELER STEVEN WHITE DANA WILDERS STANLEY WILKINS JOE WILLERTH BARBARA WILLIAMS EDWARD WILLIAMS LESLIE WILLIAMS THOMAS WILLY FLORA WINITZ BRENT WINTERBERG LINDSAY L. WOOD LARRY WRIGHT LORNA WRIGHT

PHILIP WRIGHT TRACY WRISINGER ERNIE YARNEVICH, JR . AMANDA YODER CHRIS YOTZ ROBERT ZELDIN ERIC ZIEGENHORN ANDY ZELLERS

JOPLIN TINA LONGNECKER

ST. JOSEPH DAVID BOLANDER JIM GRAVES SCOTT ROSS TOM SUMMERS

WARRENSBURG BRANDON BAKER

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“I AM A HEAD INJURY VICTIM AND CANNOT RETAIN INFORMATION. I THOUGHT IT WAS WONDERFUL THAT THE ATTORNEY AND PARALEGAL CAME TO MY HOUSE AND TOOK CARE OF MY LEGAL NEEDS.” — DONNA JO

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Where We Work Joplin

paralegal, a legal secretary and several volunteers.

A staff of four attorneys, two full-time and one part-

For the past 39 years, this dedicated Legal Aid team

time paralegals, one legal secretary, two private

has specialized in providing counsel and represen-

contract attorneys and volunteers provide service to

tation on issues of immigration, economic develop-

six counties along Missouri’s southwest border. The

ment, community development and housing.

majority of cases handled by the Joplin office involve victims of abuse seeking Orders of Protection, mar-

Kansas City - Migrant Farmworkers project

riage dissolution, paternity, custody, visitation and

Migrant and seasonal farmworkers working in per-

support orders. The staff represents clients with

ishable crops in Missouri are served by Legal Aid’s

public benefits, landlord/tenant and consumer

bilingual MFP staff and volunteers. For the past 30

cases. A HUD certified housing counselor serves cli-

years, farmworkers have been represented on public

ents facing foreclosure issues.

benefits, immigration and education issues, workplace safety and pesticide conditions and access

Many clients have problems beyond the immediate

to and case management for healthcare. The staff

legal issues that brought them to a Legal Aid office.

includes two paralegals, two full-time volunteers

Close partnerships with community agencies enable

and other occasional volunteers.

Legal Aid to help clients address these other issues.

KANSAS CITy - CENTRAL OFFICE The Central office in downtown Kansas City maintains a staff of 37 attorneys, 14 paralegals, 9 administrative staff, two intake specialists, eight legal secretaries and three Volunteer Attorney Project staff members. This location serves clients living in the Kansas City metropolitan community counties of Jackson, Clay and Platte. The Central office is home to Legal Aid’s Municipal Court Defense Unit. This program is funded by a contract with the City of Kansas City and provides representation to low-income clients charged with jailable offenses in the City’s municipal courts.

KANSAS CITY - WEST OFFICE Kansas City’s Westside community is served by Legal Aid’s bilingual staff located in the office on Southwest Boulevard. The staff includes five attorneys, one

ST. JOSEPH St. Joseph’s staff of nine, which includes six attorneys and three paralegals, serve the 18-county area of northwest Missouri. In addition, a Medical-Legal Partnership project operates out of a small office at Heartland Health in St. Joseph with one attorney and one paralegal. These two individuals handle Medicaid appeals. The St. Joseph office represents clients in both rural and urban settings. Many of the cases involve family law, including marriage dissolution, custody, guardianship and Orders of Protection. In addition, staff handles cases involving consumer matters, landlord/tenant law, social security cases, unemployment denials, utility shut-offs and bankruptcies. Community involvement plays a key role in the success of the St. Joseph office. Staff members are active in a variety of organizations, committees

29

where we work (continued) and task forces that focus on specific issues facing

WARRENSBURG

clients, such as homelessness, domestic violence,

The Warrensburg office serves thirteen rural coun-

financial stability, and access to services for those in

ties in west central Missouri. The staff consists of

poverty. The staff also makes regular presentations

four full-time attorneys and three full-time para-

at various locations throughout the service area on

legals. The Warrensburg office handles cases pri-

topics such as landlord-tenant and public housing

marily involving consumer law, housing, domestic

law, consumer law, legal protections for victims of

violence, landlord/tenant cases and public benefits

domestic violence and legal issues facing senior

issues. The staff maintains a strong presence in the

citizens. As a result, the office has made a broader

community and works directly with local agencies in

impact on the client community through increased

several counties. Staff members also make presenta-

case referrals and improved community education.

tions to local groups.

Meet Anna Anna is 91 years old and has lived in the same subsidized housing complex for almost twenty-five years. She has been a wonderful tenant and enjoys her apartment and her neighbors. It was close to her recertification date when new property managers sent her a very threatening notice. The notice warned her that unless she finished her certification within ten days, her rent would increase and her tenancy might be terminated.

ANNA TOOK ON HER OVERZEALOUS PROPERTY MANAGERS & AVOIDED EVICTION – THANKS TO HELP FROM LEGAL AID! Anna contacted Legal Aid when she received the notice. She was very surprised, confused and upset. She said she was contacted every year with a notice that gave her plenty of time to recertify and the previous notices were never threatening. Her Legal Aid paralegal contacted the management company that oversees the property managers. The paralegal explained that the recertification process had been handled improperly, the threatening notice was not necessary, her rental amount should not be increased on the date indicated and that we advised her to continue paying the same rental amount past the date indicated. The president of the management company immediately contacted Legal Aid and apologized for the conduct of the site managers. After the paralegal explained how upsetting this all was to Anna, the president of the management company met with Anna personally and assisted her with recertification. Anna can relax and enjoy her home of over 24 years. 30

Service Area Map joplin office kansas city office ATCHISON

WORTH NODAWAY

HARRISON

PUTNAM

MERCER

SULLIVAN

GENTRY GRUNDY

HOLT ANDREW

warrensburg office

DAVIESS LINN

BUCHANAN

LI

CALDWELL

VI

NG

ST ON

DE KALB

St. Joseph office

CLINTON CARROLL

PLATTE CLAY

JACKSON

RAY

LAFAYETTE

JOHNSON

SALINE

PETTIS

CASS

HENRY BATES ST. CLAIR

BENTON

MORGAN

CAMDEN HICKORY

VERNON

BARTON

JASPER

NEWTON

McDONALD

Central Kansas City Office 1125 Grand Blvd, Suite 1900 Kansas City, MO 64106 816-474-6750

Joplin 302 South Joplin Joplin, MO 64801 417-782-1650/800-492-7095

WestSide Kansas City Office

St. Joseph

920 Southwest Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64108 816-474-9868

106 South 7th Street, 4th Fl. St. Joseph, MO 64502 816-364-2325/800-892-2101

Warrensburg 305 North Holden PO Box 396 Warrensburg, MO 64093 660-747-7101/800-892-2943

Migrant Farmworkers project P.O. Box 413223 Kansas City, Mo. 64141 816-968-2227

31

“MY ATTORNEY WAS VERY NICE AND HAD LOTS OF COMPASSION. SHE COMMUNICATED WITH ME IN MY OWN LANGUAGE AND HELPED ME WITH RESOURCES FOR COUNSELING. SHE EDUCATED ME AND GAVE ME A LOT OF INFORMATION...” — JUANA

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2013 Donations & 2011-13 Campaign Pledges We are grateful to the following firms and individuals who have made pledges or donations in excess of $500. Legal Aid is fortunate to have the generous support of such dedicated friends and many others who make our work possible.

PLEDGES & MULTI-YEAR GIFTS

THE CHILDREN OF BETH & ED SMITH (3-YEAR GIFT $475,000) SHOOK, HARDY & BACON LLP (3-YEAR PLEDGE $210,000) POLSINELLI PC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $168,000) HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP (3-YEAR PLEDGE $126,000) LATHROP & GAGE, LC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $120,000) STINSON MORRISON HECKER LLP (3-YEAR PLEDGE $60,000) BRYAN CAVE LLP (3-YEAR PLEDGE $57,750) HUMPHREY FARRINGTON MCCLAIN (5-YEAR PLEDGE $50,000) SPENCER FANE BRITT & BROWNE LLP (3-YEAR PLEDGE $48,000) DAVIS, BETHUNE & JONES, LLC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $45,000) SEIGFREID BINGHAM (3-YEAR PLEDGE $30,750) DAVIS, KETCHMARK, MCCREIGHT & IVERS PC (5-YEAR PLEDGE $25,000) GILMORE & BELL, PC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $24,750) DST SYSTEMS, INC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $15,000) J. MICHAEL VAUGHAN (3-YEAR PLEDGE $10,000) GOZA & HONNOLD, LLC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $7,500) SHAMBERG, JOHNSON & BERGMAN, CHARTERED (3-YEAR PLEDGE $7,500) THE MCCALLISTER LAW FIRM, PC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $7,500) ERLENE & SANDY KRIGEL FAMILY FUND (3-YEAR PLEDGE $5,400) WHITE, ALLINDER, GRAHAM & BUCKLEY LLC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $5,250) SLAGLE BERNARD & GORMAN, PC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $4,500) MILLER & COMPANY, PC (2-YEAR PLEDGE $4,000) KANSAS CITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (3-YEAR PLEDGE $3,750) C. PATRICK MCLARNEY (3-YEAR PLEDGE $3,000)

JOHN AND ELLEN AISENBREY (3-YEAR PLEDGE $3,000) PETERSON & ASSOCIATES PC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $3,000) POPHAM LAW FIRM, PC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $3,000) WAGSTAFF & CARTMELL LLP (2-YEAR PLEDGE $3,000) BAKER STERCHI COWDEN & RICE, LLC (2-YEAR PLEDGE $2,000) REDFEARN LAW FIRM, PC (3-YEAR PLEDGE $1,500) SiroSmithDickson (3-YEAR PLEDGE $1,500) THE LAW OFFICES OF STEPHEN R. BOUGH (3-YEAR PLEDGE $1,500) TERENCE J. THUM (3-YEAR PLEDGE $1,000) SHERRI L. WATTENBARGER (3-YEAR PLEDGE $750) STAN J. SEXTON (3-YEAR PLEDGE $750) LISA N. GENTLEMAN (3-YEAR PLEDGE $300)

2013 LAW FIRM, FOUNDATION & CORPORATION DONATIONS DONATIONS OF $10,000 & ABOVE HALLMARK CARDS, INC - LEGAL DEPARTMENT

DONATIONS OF $5,000 & ABOVE Dentons US LLP Lawyers Association of Kansas City Slough, Connealy, Irwin & Madden, LLC

DONATIONS OF $1,000 & ABOVE

Allmayer & Associates, PC Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice, LLC Baty, Holm & Numrich, PC Dollar Burns & Becker, LC Ensz & Jester, PC Drs. D. & M. Jarosewycz Memorial Charitable Gift Fund Lordi Marker Family Foundation Robb and Robb LLC Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian, PC

Young Professionals Board of Legal Aid of Western Missouri

DONATIONS OF $500 & ABOVE

John M. and Dena Adams Fund John R. Cullom & Associates Henning Law Firm, PC

2013 INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS DONATIONS OF $10,000 & ABOVE ANDREW & KAREN SEE

DONATIONS OF $2,000 & ABOVE

WILLIAM L. ALLINDER & MARY SAWYER Karen Bissett & Rob Barnes Bernard E. Brown Laurence Frazen Mr. & Mrs. Brian Gardner Robert J Morrison Michael J. Thompson J. Michael Vaughan W. Russell Welsh Judith & Kent Whittaker

DONATIONS OF $1,000 & ABOVE

Galen Beaufort Kelley Carpenter & David R. Eulitt Virginia & Matthew Crimmins James Cronin Kevin A. Dunn Honorable Arthur Federman Richard Halliburton & Miriam Pepper Gerald M. Handley Bryan & Linda Johnson Barry M. Katz Gregg F. Lombardi P. John Owen Stephen B. Paul John R. Phillips Mark Porter Mary E. Phillips & Wesley B. Powell Helen Sawyers Mary M. Steeb & Glen E. Littleton Mark Andrew Thornhill Gene E. Voigts

33

Donations & Pledges (continued) DONATIONS OF $500 & ABOVE

James R. Borthwick Mischa D. Buford-Epps Kevin M. Connor Steven & Linda Dees Thomas & Mary Beth Denzer Daniel J. Devine & Michele Chollet William J. Dittmeier Steve & Robin Edwards Willie J. Epps, Jr. Ida Pearl Fain

Nancy Gargula Charles & Jan German Karen T. Haren Joseph L. Hiersteiner William & Irma Lou Hirsch David N. Johnson Michelle Stark Kaufman Charlotte Kullman Beth Bruce & Doug Martin Samuel McHenry Christie Meller

Douglas R. Rushing Lonnie J. Shalton Sheila & Paul Shepherd Rik N. Siro & Teresa Woody Tracy L. Smedley Julie Steenson Steven J. Streen Terence J. Thum Laurence R. Tucker Gregory & Marilyn Vranicar Barbara T. Weary

2013 Tributes Each year, we receive many heartfelt gifts in memory of loved ones and in honor of family, friends or special occasions. In Honor of Bella the Dog by Mary Steeb In Memory of Carol Brooks by Alvin Brooks In Memory of Cathy Connealy by Marcia K. Walsh In Honor of Karen Cutliff & Jack the Dog by Mary Steeb In Memory of Thomas E. Deacy, Jr. by John & Ellen Aisenbrey Mary Shaw Branton Kevin M. Connor Rex Darnall Phyllis Drews Steve & Robin Edwards Gloria & Eddie Feinstein Jane H. Grant Linda Kemnitzer John M. Kilroy, Jr. Sanders Lambert Mr. & Mrs. Jack L. Mahurin Larry L. McMullen Morton & Estelle Sosland Sylvan Beach Resorts Thomas A. Vetter

Barbara D. Wolock Dick H. Woods, Jr. Purd Wright James R. Wyrsch In Honor of Suzanne Gladney by Paul Lamble In Honor of dICK Halliburton & Miriam Pepper by Mona J. Randolph In Memory of Dick Haydon by David L. West In Honor of Tom & Susan Jones by Sean Windsor In Honor of Susan Kephart by Marcia K. Walsh In Honor of Anthony & Sara Knipp by Ryan Wolfe In Memory of Ted Kranitz by Frank D. Connett, Jr. In Honor of Julie Levin by John M. and Dena Adams Fund Charles M. Thomas

In Honor of Charity Lindgren by Thomas Wham and Tracy McCreery In Memory of Neil Lombardi by David L. West In Memory of Davida Markowitz by Health Sciences Library Network of KC, Inc. In Honor of C. Patrick & Martina McLarney by William and Maxine Staggs In Honor of Paul T. Miller by Jon R. Gray In Honor of Mr. Miyagi the dog by Gomez Law, LLC In Honor of Cynthia Norton by Neil Sader In Memory of Patrick O’Brien by Brenna C. O’Brien & Family Lara O’Brien Robert P. O’Brien In Memory of Dan Weary by Husch Blackwell LLP In Honor of Jerry Wolf by Robert Allan Lieberman

2013 Endowment Gifts The Legal Aid of Western Missouri Endowment is a charitable fund at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. Dwight Arn James G. Baker Wanda J. Banks bruce bettinger The Bryant Law Firm

Steven and Linda Dees Katherine Hoggard Honorable Nanette K. Laughrey Pat McInerney Douglas C. McKenna

B. John Readey, III The Children of Beth & Ed Smith Honorable Scott O. Wright

Every attempt has been made to reflect accurately and completely the names of our generous contributors. We apologize for any errors or omissions. Space does not permit the listing every contributor, but we value all our donors.

34

Financials 2013 revenue

2013 expenses

Federal Legal Services Corporation - Basic...............................................................................................................................1,684,532 Missouri Department of Social Services - Advocates for Family Health................................................................250,000 Legal Services Corporation - Migrant..............................................................................................................................75,150 Internal Revenue Service Low Income Taxpayer Clinic..................................................................................................57,333 Mid-America Regional Council - Area Agency on Aging - Legal Services..................................................................50,932 Missouri Department of Public Safety - Violence Against Women Act......................................................................45,791 Equal Justice Works - AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship Program - Disaster Funding................................................37,895 Missouri Department of Public Safety - Victims of Crime Act.....................................................................................23,123 West Tennessee Legal Serivces, Inc....................................................................................................................................18,000 Mid-America Regional Council - Area Agency on Aging - National Caregiver Support Program.......................15,634 Kansas Legal Services - Migrant Subgrant.....................................................................................................................10,615 Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging.....................................................................................................................10,025 Care Connection for Aging Services - Area Agency on Aging.........................................................................................7,063 Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Inc.............................................................................................................5,342 City of St. Joseph - CDBG..........................................................................................................................................................3,252 VantAge Point Area Agency on Aging...................................................................................................................................3,218 Salvation Army.........................................................................................................................................................................3,080 Legal Services Corporation - Disaster Funding...........................................................................................................(50,058) sub-total............................................................................................................................................................................2,250,927

Personnel Costs SSalary - Clerical..............................................................421,225 Salary - Attorney........................................................... 3,167,970 Salary - Paralegal.........................................................1,089,162 Salary - Administration...................................................679,691 FICA Tax Expense..................................................................396,195 Health Insurance...............................................................913,669 Disability Insurance...........................................................41,756 Workers Compensation......................................................15,930 Unemployment Insurance....................................................5,678 Retirement Contribution.................................................392,968 Retirement Plan Administration.....................................11,990 sub-total......................................................................... 7,136,234

City, County & State Missouri Supreme Court - State Court Filing Fee..........................................................................................................900,202 Missouri Department of Public Safety - State Services to Victims Fund...................................................................26,164 Jackson County Community Mental Health Fund...........................................................................................................40,000 Jackson County Housing Resource Commission..............................................................................................................38,000 City of Kansas City - Municipal Court Defense...........................................................................................................1,057,108 City of Kansas City - Abandoned Housing Project . .....................................................................................................150,251 City of Kansas City - ZEAL Project.....................................................................................................................................117,695 City of Kansas City - Civil Legal Assistance...................................................................................................................106,000 City of Kansas City - Mental Health Court ........................................................................................................................9,412 sub-total............................................................................................................................................................................2,444,832 United Ways (includes donor designation)....................................................................................................................241,446 I.O.L.T.A. (Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts) ..............................................................................................................229,896 Foundations, Churches and Other Organizations Truman Medical Center, Inc. - Medicaid Appeals Project...........................................................................................668,716 Heartland Regional Medical Center...............................................................................................................................205,340 St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City.....................................................................................................................................129,150 Health Care Fdn of Greater Kansas City - Affordable Care Act................................................................................100,000 Health Care Fdn of Greater Kansas City - Mental Health Court.................................................................................27,000 Health Care Fdn of Greater Kansas City - Medical Legal Partnership......................................................................80,289 Hall Family Foundation........................................................................................................................................................40,000 Greater KC LINC, Inc................................................................................................................................................................33,360 Missouri Bar Foundation.....................................................................................................................................................31,930 Nevada Regional Medical Center.......................................................................................................................................22,271 H & R Block Foundation.........................................................................................................................................................20,000 Health Care Fdn of Greater Kansas City - Migrant Advocate......................................................................................19,000 Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation................................................................................................................................ 7,500 sub-total............................................................................................................................................................................1,384,556 Other (Fundraising, Cy Pres and Miscellaneous)......................................................................................................1,603,309 TOTAL REVENUE................................................................................................................................................................... 8,154,966 LESS CONTRIBUTIONS / TRANSFERS INTO ENDOWMENT FUND............................................................................................ (322,290) REVENUE AVAILABLE FOR OPERATIONS.............................................................................................................................$ 7,832,676

Non-Personnel Costs AAudit.....................................................................................25,965 Data Processing....................................................................15,168 Travel.....................................................................................81,761 Rent.......................................................................................360,509 Utilities....................................................................................7,666 Janitorial................................................................................3,380 Office Supplies......................................................................71,679 Printing..................................................................................31,496 Postage...................................................................................49,193 Equipment Maintenance.....................................................47,610 Law Library...........................................................................91,500 Equipment Rental.................................................................22,339 Malpractice Insurance......................................................13,037 Liability Insurance..............................................................22,497 Telephone and Communication.........................................93,847 Dues and Fees........................................................................32,586 Training.................................................................................61,373 Litigation.................................................................................7,196 Miscellaneous....................................................................138,385 Bad Debt ................................................................................12,987 Contract Services to Program........................................208,934 Contract Services to Clients.............................................99,025 Fixed Asset Interest, Depreciation, Disposal..................70,289 sub-total..........................................................................1,568,422 TOTAL EXPENSES...............................................................$8,704,656

Under applicable accounting rules, we are required to recognize funding for future year’s expenses that we received commitments for in the year that we received the commitment. This results in a timing difference between recognizing revenue and the corresponding expense. Accordingly, specific revenue associated with our current year expenses were recognized in prior years resulting in a budget deficit in the current year. However, if revenue was recognized when earned rather than when the commitments were received, our resulting deficit for the year would be $181, 658, which is 2% of our expenses.

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Our People Our staff and volunteers are dedicated individuals who share a passion for justice.

Board of Trustees

Mischa D. Buford-Epps President Lisa Weixelman Vice President

Shauna Woody-Coussens Treasurer Linnea Hanshaw Secretary Aaron Aurand Dave Bolander MICHAEL T. CAREY Mamie Coleman Lajuana Counts Sharon Courter Aldo Dominguez Mary Jo Draper Carol Edwards William Hall Blake Heath Susan Hill Christine Hudec Brandy Imlay Christopher Javillonar Joe Mattox dAVID mEYER Maxine Phillips bETH tONG David Tushaus Jerry Venters David Vogel gILLIAN rUDDY wILCOX Brad Yeretsky

JFA Campaign Leadership committee

C. Patrick McLarney, Co-chair Jerome T. Wolf, Co-chair Gordon D. Gee, Co-chair Grant L. Davis, Co-chair Willie J. Epps, Jr., Co-chair Jack T. Bangert Jeffrey Burns Max Carr-Howard Steve Dees Leanne DeShong Marie Dispenza Mary Jo Draper

36

William D. Farrar Erlene W. Krigel Theresa L. F. Levings J. Gary McEachen brendan mcpherson Timothy D. O’Leary Dennis Palmer Robert J. Payne Adam Sachs Andrew See Mark Thornhill Sen. Charles Wheeler Judith Whittaker

VAP ADVISORY BOARD

John Aisenbrey DWIGHT ARN KATIE CRONIN STEPHEN BOUGH JANEEN DEVRIES Jonathan N. Dilly W. Brian Gaddy TEDRICK HOUSH DALE IRWIN AMBER Hackett CHRISTOPHER JAVILLONAR BILLIE ORR JENNY JORDAN REDIX WARREN WADE GILLIAN Ruddy WILCOX

Legal Aid Staff Joplin office

Shelley Boston Pamela Roychaudhury-Bhend Sandra Blackford Autumn Deer Janice Franklin Lisa Livingston-Martin JEFFINER THOMPSON MISTY LEWIS

Central office-KC

LATRICIA ADAMS Brian Adkins MICHELLE ALBANO KATHY ANDERSON-REINKE AMANDA BASRI BROOKE BIGGS LAURA BORNSTEIN

TAMA BYRNES CAREN COLLINS James Crump KAREN CUTLIFF EFFIE DAY CRISSY DEL PERCIO MARY Beth DENZER EMILY DESTEPHANO Jackie Domian CHRISTY DRAY DANIELLE ELAM-JOBE ERIN FOX MEGAN FREDERICKSON CHRISTINA FROMMER Lisa N. Gentleman TRACIE GRIDDINE KARA HARMS CLAYTON HASSER VINCE HAYES Adrienne Haynes KAREN KARNES SUSAN KEPHART SELINA KHAN SANDRA KINCAID LISA KIVETT CAROL KLINKENBERG KATHLEEN KOROSEC-HOLMES LEAH KRIEGER JULIE LEVIN CHARITY LINDGREN GREGG LOMBARDI EDDIE LORENZO PATRICIA LUKENBILL PAMELA MAY SAMUEL MCHENRY SUSAN MCRILL DALE MEYER LILY MILLER JESSICA OGRAN SARA OLAZAR BILLIE ORR CRYSTAL PACHECO-HECKEY CYNTHIA ROUNTREE CODY RUSSELL SANAM SADEGHI STACY SCHAUB JAMES KENDALL SEAL MEGAN SIMPSON JAMES SMITH WAYNE SMITH GWEN SOWDER

BEN SUMMERS RIVER TEMPELIN CLAUDIA TRUJILLO WARREN WADE Mitch Walker LIDA WAtSON MAURA WEBER Madison Wesselman KATIE WOOD JANE WORLEY Kim Wright

West Office-KC

Michael Duffy Yolanda Hernandez peter hoffman rachel hogan Ron Nguyen jennifer wieman Earles Jeff Williams

ST. Joseph Office

Linda Clark Lisa Clark Meghan Elledge Tiffany Hollon Gloria Hoxworth Alicia Johnson John Keiffer Melissa Lawyer Laura Lutz Jerre Moore Jeremy Swenson Doug Tschauder

Warrensburg office Kelly Bartlett Kim Basinger Erin Dark Jesi Demeire Susan Hanrahan Abbie Rothermich Kaylie Schmutz Bill Shull

Migrant Farmworkers Project Erin Bartling tina histand

meet Isamar Isamar was 78 years young when Legal Aid’s Medical Legal Partnership accepted her case. Isamar was being sued by a debt collector, and could not figure out how she could owe in excess of $1,000 on a debt she did not know existed. The debt collector was pressuring her to consent to a judgment and turn over her social security check, or they would “send her to jail.” She was afraid and confused.

With Legal Aid’s help, Isamar was able to file her answer, along with motions for discovery. After the filing of additional pleadings, the debt collector voluntarily dismissed their claims. In just 11 days, Isamar’s zombie debt was eliminated.

Now, she is free to drink her afternoon coffee with friends and play board games with her grandson, without fear of debt collectors.

“MY ATTORNEY WAS REALLY HELPFUL. I WAS SO SCARED. SHE TALKED TO ME. SHE LISTENED TO ME AND I’M VERY THANKFUL FOR HER. I GOT A CHANCE FOR A NEW LIFE. THANK YOU.” — WESLEY

legal aid of western missouri 2013 annual report

www.lawmo.org

Central Office 1125 Grand Blvd, Ste 1900 Kansas City, MO 64106 816-474-6750

St. Joseph 106 South 7th St, 4th Floor St. Joseph, MO 64502 816-364-2325/800-892-2101

West Office 920 Southwest Blvd Kansas City, MO 64108 816-474-9868

Joplin 302 South Joplin Joplin, MO 64801 417-782-1650/800-492-7095

Warrensburg 305 North Holden Warrensburg, MO 64093 660-747-7101/800-892-2943

Migrant Farmworkers project P.O. Box 413223 Kansas City, Mo. 64141 816-968-2227