Maine Lawyers and Judges Once Again Show Overwhelming Support of Campaign for Justice
2022 proved to be another challenging year for Mainers. Skyrocketing inflation, an uncertain economic future, an ongoing housing crisis and more factors continue to push more at-risk individuals into a tight spot. Maine’s civil legal aid providers help as many as they can, but resources don’t allow them to help everybody. That’s where the Campaign for Justice aims to help, and members of Maine’s legal community responded enthusiastically in 2022.
The Campaign for Justice, the annual fundraising campaign to the Maine Bar, raised $631,000 for needy Mainers last year. Nearly 1,400 members contributed a gift. In addition, 54 volunteers turned out to lend a hand in fundraising efforts, donating 740 hours of their time at an estimated value of almost $148,000.
“We never cease to be amazed by the incredible generosity of the Maine bar who collectively commit so much time and money toward helping Mainers in need. We are grateful to Maine lawyers and judges for their selflessness and leadership in ensuring access to justice via the Campaign for Justice,” says Michelle Draeger, Executive Director of the Maine Justice Foundation.
Since 2004, the Campaign for Justice has worked collaboratively with Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Legal Services for the Elderly, Maine Equal Justice, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, and Volunteer Lawyers Project to raise money from the Maine Bar in support of civil legal aid. The 2022 Campaign for Justice result is the third highest in its history.
These legal aid providers serve over 20,000 people every year—Mainers who need, but are not able to afford, help for life-changing issues like protection from abuse and harassment, divorce, eviction, health care, immigration, or loss of government benefits.
The Campaign for Justice is administered by the Maine Justice Foundation. Founded in 1983, MJF is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring justice for low-income and vulnerable Mainers.
FMI: www.campaignforjustice.org
Contact: Angela Doyle, Director, Campaign for Justice
Phone: 207-622-3477
Email: [email protected]