Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation Pro Bono Project, Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers "Protective Order Program"

The Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) awarded the Grantee Award for Excellence in Service and Programming to the Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation on behalf of its Pro Bono Project-Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers for their Protective Order Program. The award was presented at the LBF Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 7, 2007, in Sandestin, Florida.

The Program is recognized for filling a much needed gap in the Lafayette community by assisting victims of domestic violence obtain a Title 46 Protective Order. The program is a collaborative partnership with Faith House, the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Courts office and the Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers. This outstanding program was established in March of 2005 and has assisted 267 victims of domestic violence.

The Grantee Award for Excellence in Service and Programming recognizes a LBF grantee for an innovative, imaginative program and/or public service in the legal arena. The award emphasizes creativity of the idea, efficiency of execution, outcomes of the project or programs and its ability to be duplicated by other service programs.

Louisiana Civil Justice Center 800 Legal Assistance Call Center

The Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) awarded the Grantee Award for Excellence in Service and Programming to Louisiana Civil Justice Center for its 800 Legal Assistance Call Center (Call Center). The award was presented on Thursday, June 8, by LBF President Donna D. Fraiche, at the LBF's Annual Meeting in Sandestin, Florida. The Grantee Award for Excellence in Service and Programming recognizes a LBF grantee for an innovative, imaginative program and/or public service in the legal arena. The award emphasizes creativity of the idea, efficiency of execution, outcomes of the project or programs and its ability to be duplicated by other service programs and to be proven flexible enough to change course as emerging needs arise.

The Call Center (800-310-7029) provides Louisiana residents with disaster-related free legal advice. The project has coordinated law students, three full time attorneys and volunteers from all sectors of the legal community to assist more than 12,000 calls from Louisiana citizens across the United States in need of services.

The Call Center is being recognized for the services provided to the community, promoting awareness and understanding of the legal system and assisting with the administration of justice while serving as an exemplary grantee in carrying out the mission of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.

Baton Rouge Bar Foundation Thirst for Justice Program

TThe Baton Rouge Bar Foundation received the LBF's Grantee Award for Excellence in Service and Programming for its Thirst for Justice Program. The award recognizes a grantee for an innovative, imaginative program and/or public service in the legal arena. The Thirst for Justice Program is a free legal clinic offered to the public on a weekly basis. The program helps those lacking transportation and without a permanent address such as the elderly, homeless and disabled. Thirst for Justice is an excellent means to provide justice to those truly in need.

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans-Project SAVE

The Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) awarded the Grantee Award for Excellence in Service and Programming to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans-Project SAVE. The award was presented at the LBF Annual Breakfast Meeting on Thursday, June 10, 2004, in Sandestin, Florida.

The Grantee Award for Excellence in Service and Programming recognizes a grantee for an innovative, imaginative program and/or public service in the legal arena. The award emphasizes creativity of the idea, efficiency of execution, outcomes of the project or programs and its ability to be duplicated by other service programs and to be proven flexible enough to change course as emerging needs arise.

Project SAVE (Stopping Abuse through Victim Empowerment), is a program within Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, that exclusively offers emergency civil legal representation to victims of domestic violence in Orleans Parish. Project SAVE has grown from one non-lawyer advocate assisting victims at Civil District Court to a small pro-bono law firm with three full-time lawyers and one law clerk serving annually nearly 400 primary victims of abuse and about 500 secondary victims (children who witness abuse).

Project SAVE is partnered with New Orleans Legal Assistance, Domestic Violence Unit. This unique partnership provides the victim a comprehensive continuum of legal care which is essential to break the cycle of violence which often plagues families for generations.