Southern Arizona Legal Aid

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. (sala) was able to provide direct civil Legal assistance to meet the fundamental unmet civil Legal needs of more than 10,900 individuals; 83% received counsel, advice or limited action services such as counseling concerning Legal rights and responsibilities, help in a pro se clinic, or preparation of court or other Legal documents; 17% were assisted with extended services such as obtaining a court decision, negotiating an agreement on more complex civil Legal matters, representation in administrative hearings or court proceedings. Sala raised community awareness of Legal rights and responsibilities through outreach, by teaching prevention and self-help methods, making presentations and distributing Legal information brochures and self-help materials to over 4,400 individuals. The impact of services provided resulted in recovery of 858,948 in the value of homes saved, child and spousal support awards, lump sum benefit payments and money judgements. Sala avoided 250,654 in garnishments and court judgements for clients. For every 1 invested in sala, 6.42 of actual value is returned to the community based upon a 2019 social return on investment analysis performed by community services analysis, llc through the volunteer lawyers program (vlp) sala accepted 680 new cases, conducted 437 clinics and classes and completed 542 cases and matters benefitting over 1,653 persons. The vlp program provided 1,261 hours of free Legal Aid valued at 315,275.