COLUMBUS — Grants from the Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) will help expand legal resources in Richland and Ashland County to educate and empower individuals.
Laura Spires, OSBF grants and database manager, said all of the 10 nonprofits awarded in the spring grant cycle support the mission to educate the public about the rule of law and build a better justice system.
The Northeast Ohio Worker Center and the JusticeMobile are first-time OSBF grant recipients.
The Northeast Ohio Worker Center is based in Cleveland and serves Cuyahoga, Ashland, Erie, Holmes, Huron, Lorain, Medina, Richland, Ashtabula and Geauga counties. OSBF’s $15,000 grant will support wage theft and workplace discrimination clinics, translation services and marketing.
The JusticeMobile is an RV based in Columbus and has primarily served Richland, Franklin and Morrow counties. The $21,500 grant will support its expansion into 10 other rural counties to provide access to legal resources and education.
The JusticeMobile will host legal education clinics in Columbus, Hilliard, Marysville, Shelby and Norwalk in the coming weeks. For a full schedule, visit the JusticeMobile calendar or Facebook page.
JusticeMobile CEO and Attorney Mindy Yocum has offices in Dublin and Shelby. The RV is part of her nonprofit that hosts in-person and virtual legal clinics.
Yocum said her average clinic is about two hours long and covers a variety of topics depending on what attendees ask.
“It’s really about creating relationships and offering resources,” Yocum said. “A lot of people don’t know what attorneys can help with. I’ve helped with everything from child custody to starting a new business.”
While Yocum said she can’t represent JusticeMobile visitors in court, she is trying to expand her list of attorneys open for referrals where needed.
“We’re grateful for the Bar Foundation’s support because this is a great help in expanding our network,” she said. “I try to solve as many problems as I can while people are in front of me and forward them to people who can help more outside of the clinics.”
The JusticeMobile is open to anyone of all income levels, though it is targeted toward low- and middle-income residents.
“The high cost of attorneys can be a burden for many in that income demographic,” Spires said. “Our funding will support staff time, the creation of educational and marketing materials, and technology equipment for the RV.”
Other grants from the OSBF awards this cycle will support projects that empower individuals with disabilities, educate survivors of domestic violence about their legal rights, support individuals and families navigating the mental health system and more.
“Through the distribution of these grants, our goal is to drive meaningful change within Ohio’s justice system, empowering individuals and communities,” said David Hejmanowski, OSBF president and Delaware County probate court judge.
“These funds will have a lasting and positive impact, and we are excited to see the results of these strategic investments in creating a more fair and effective justice system for all Ohioans.”
Spires said some of the foundation’s previous successful programs have been engagement strategies for families of people with disabilities and a senior financial exploitation prevention project.
The OSBF’s partnerships with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless and the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland also helped develop an educational campaign to increase awareness about the city’s ordinance establishing a right to counsel in eviction cases.
OSBF is currently accepting applications for its fall grant cycle through Aug. 15.
