Alabama Law Foundation
Access to Justice Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alabama Supreme Court creates Access to Justice Commission to improve civil legal services for low-income Alabamians
Alabama last in nation in spending for legal aid to low-income residents

MONTGOMERY, ALA. – July 19, 2007 – Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and the Alabama Law Foundation announced today the creation of the Access to Justice Commission, an organization whose mission is to provide funding and civil legal services for low-income residents.

On April 24, 2007, the Supreme Court of Alabama issued an order creating the Alabama Access to Justice Commission. The Commission’s creation was the result of Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb realizing the need for people to be treated fairly in the court system and the social concern facing the state of Alabama.

“Low-income residents of Alabama do not have adequate means for receiving civil legal services and this commission’s goal is to improve these inadequate standards,” said Chief Justice Cobb. “All Alabama residents deserve equal access to the civil legal system and this commission will make sure they receive fair representation.”

The Commission brings together a diverse group that shares an interest in improving civil justice for the poor and a commitment to work together to build a better plan to meet the civil legal needs of these Alabamians. The 19-member Commission comprises of a wide range of citizens representing the legal profession, educational administration, religious community, military, business sector, advocacy groups representing low-income Alabamians and volunteers.

“The need for legal aid in Alabama is dire,” said Chief Justice Cobb. “According to recent statistics, Alabama ranks 51st in spending for legal aid to low-income residents. That’s less than every other state and Puerto Rico. Our studies show that Alabama spends less than $10 per person, compared to the national average of $23 per person.”

Unlike the criminal defense system, the constitutional guarantee of funding for low-income Alabamians who need civil legal assistance has not yet been met. The consequences of a lack of access to justice are devastating for the poor, and weaken a democratic society as a whole. Last year more than 422,000 households experienced more than 733,000 legal issues. Low-income households had legal assistance for only about 16 percent of these legal problems.

The Commission plans to work toward bringing together organizations that serve low-income Alabamians to maximize current resources available and look for new ways to acquire more funding and resources for low-income individuals who need civil legal services.

About Access to Justice:
Issued by judicial order in 2007, the Alabama Access to Justice Commission was created by Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb to address the lack of funds spent on Alabama’s low-income families for civil legal assistance. The 19-member Commission’s focus is to bring together organizations that serve the poor to maximize the use of current limited resources available for providing civil legal services. Alabama ranks 51st in the nation in spending for legal aid to the poor, and the Commission is working to close the “justice gap” to make sure all Alabamians have equal access to fair civil legal assistance.

Access to Justice Commission members:

Henry Callaway
Hand Arendall LLC
Mobile

Dean John L. Carroll
Cumberland School of Law
Birmingham

Rev. Thack Dyson
Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Daphne

Alan Engel
President, Crowne Partners
Birmingham

Judge James Fry
Regional Director, Legal Services Alabama
Gulf Shores

Henry A. Gaede Jr.
Bradley, Arant, Rose & White
Birmingham

Judge Rhonda Jones-Hardesty
Circuit Judge
Clanton

Frances Heidt
Attorney
Birmingham

Robin Hinkle
Lightfoot, Franklin & White
Birmingham

Ted Hosp
Maynard, Cooper & Gale
Birmingham

Judge Thomas Jones
Fourth Judicial Circuit
Selma

Sister Lynn McKenzie
Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery
Attorney, Knight, Griffith & McKenzie
Cullman

Dr. Charles Nash
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Alabama System
Tuscaloosa

Sen. Myron Penn
Attorney and Alabama State Legislator
Union Springs

Daryl Perkins
Chief of Staff, Office of Congressman Artur Davis
Birmingham

Beth McFadden Rouse
McFadden, Lyon & Rouse
Mobile

Robert D. Segall
Copeland, Franco, Screws & Gill
Montgomery

Robert Ward Jr.
Rushton Stakely
Montgomery

Herman A. Watson
Watson, Jimmerson & McKinney
Huntsville

Tracy Daniel
Executive Director, Alabama Law Foundation
Montgomery

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Media Contact: Doug Andrews, Panorama Public Relations, 205.328.9334, doug@prview.com

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is proud to announce that Angela Fisher Hall has been named Vice President of Publications and Special Projects. Hall has been with BCRI since 1993. She most recently served as Executive Assistant to the President and CEO.  With this title change, and in her expanded role, Hall will serve as the communications representative for BCRI and continue to coordinate special projects, as well as produce publications and documents to support the Institute’s ongoing programs and projects.

Hall began her career with BCRI in March 1993 as Assistant Archivist, working to organize early donations made to BCRI and create collection policies. In January 1996, she was named Director of Education. Serving in that capacity, she established many of BCRI’s ongoing programs including the annual Dr. King Birthday Celebration, Juneteenth Culture Fest, Birmingham Pledge Teen Conference and Kwanzaa Celebration. During her tenure as Director of Education, Hall also became Editor of BCRI’s Vision newsletter.

In October 2001, she began her duties as Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, where she coordinated BCRI’s Transformative Justice Conferences and the annual Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Awards Dinner. She successfully guided BCRI in its efforts to achieve accreditation by the American Association of Museums in July 2005 and affiliation with the Smithsonian Institute in June 2007.

Hall received a B.A. Degree from Birmingham-Southern College (AL) and a Master of Library Service (MLS) Degree from the University of Alabama.  Prior to her tenure with BCRI, Angela worked for nine years in the Birmingham Public Library system and spent two years as an Assistant Professor/Reference Librarian at Spring Hill College in Mobile (AL).  A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Angela has also been an active member of The Links, Incorporated, Magic City Chapter.  In 1999, she completed the Museum Management Institute program sponsored by the Getty Leadership Institute for Museum Management.  She is a member of the President’s Advisory Council for Birmingham-Southern College, Leadership Birmingham and a past Director-At-Large with the Southeastern Museums Conference.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham-based Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q restaurants have donated $10,000 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Breast Health Center to help patients defray some of the costs associated with starting and completing breast cancer treatments. The company’s donation will help provide gas cards, meal tickets and hotel vouchers for patients and their families if they are unable to cover some of the personal costs of traveling to The Kirklin Clinic at UAB for breast cancer treatments. In some cases, the donation also may help some families with the costs of funeral arrangements for their loved ones. “Breast cancer just touches so many lives. And it can be devastating to families,” said Sam Burn, a company spokesman for Jim ‘N Nick’s. “We decided several years back this was the kind of cause worth getting behind.” For the past six years the restaurant’s owners and managers have partnered with the UAB Breast Health Center through its volunteer survivor group, Angel Squad. Jim ‘N Nick’s invites Angel Squad members to help staff its Trussville, Gardendale, Homewood, 5 Points South, U.S. 280 and Riverchase restaurants for a day each October to raise awareness about breast cancer and survivorship. The Angel Squad members spend the day at the restaurants handing out cancer education literature and answering questions about screening, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. They also serve as greeters, offer to sell $10 Jim ‘N Nick’s gift certificates and explain why there is a National Mammography Day each October. All involved wear T-shirts printed with the Angel Squad logo during the day-long event. “Through the generosity of donors like Jim ‘N Nick’s, we also are able to continue our mission of education and patient support,” said Mamie Van Dyke of the Angel Squad. “In addition to helping pay the personal expenses for some patients, we also have volunteers that aid in comforting patients, walking them through their treatment journey and helping them inform and comfort their families.” Burn said Jim ‘N Nick’s managers and employees consider the Angel Squad and its mission a most worthy outlet for its corporate support. “The Angel Squad stands out to us because they represent the power of community. They are a community of survivors that come together to help others, and make a difference in people’s lives,” Burn said. For more information on the Angel Squad, go to www.angelsquad.org. For more information on Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q restaurants got to www.jimnnicks.com.

Help raise money for the Lakeshore Foundation by volunteering for the upcoming XTERRA Southeast Championship. Lakeshore Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes independence for persons with physically disabling conditions and opportunities to pursue active healthy lifestyles. By volunteering for the event you will not only help the Lakeshore Foundation earn money, but you will also have the opportunity to be involved in a fun-filled weekend of XTERRA racing.

All money raised at the XTERRA Southeast Championship will go to support Lakeshore Foundation’s Camp S.T.R.I.V.E., which will be held the last weekend in June for children with physical disabilities, ages 3-12, and their families. The aim of the camp is to Support families, Teach kids skills, Raise expectations, Instill possibilities, Value difference, and Experience adventure.

We need volunteers for the following days, times, and events. Volunteer Check-In will be at the XTERRA Expo at Oak Mountain State Park.

Friday, June 8, 6PM start: XTERRA Oak Mountain Scramble (5K and 10K Trail Runs)
5PM Volunteer Check-in. Volunteers needed for up to 2 hours.

Saturday, June 9, 10:30AM-4PM: XTERRA Kid’s Zone
10AM Check-in at XTERRA Kid’s Zone tent

Sunday, June 10, 8AM start: XTERRA Sport (750m swim/ 14K MTB/ 5K trail run) AND Duathlon (3K run/ 14K MTB/ 5K run)
9:30AM start: XTERRA Championship (1.5K swim/ 29K MTB/ 10K trail run)
7AM Volunteer Check-In. Volunteers needed for 4 to 7 hours.

* All volunteers will receive an XTERRA crew support t-shirt. Saturday and Sunday volunteers will also receive lunch. We will double the donation to Lakeshore Foundation for all Sunday volunteers who help out 4+ hours.

What experience or qualifications are required to be an XTERRA volunteer?
-No experience necessary
-You must be at least 15 years old, or 12, if accompanied by an adult
-You must have a willingness and desire to help others
-You must have a few hours to spare

What volunteer positions are available?
-Course Marshal for Bike or Run: Direct athletes through the course.
-Feed Station for Bike or Run: Maintain aid station area and distribute water to racers.
-Athlete Recovery: Help set-up and distribute food and drinks for athletes.
-Transition Area: Help athletes make transition from swim to bike, and bike to run.
-Timing: Assist with body marking. Help with timing at the start, transition, or finish line.
-XTERRA Kid’s Base Camp: Help children conquer an obstacle course and assist with kid’s bike and run races.

Please email or call the XTERRA Volunteer Coordinator, Kristin Francis, with any questions: cell (808) 870-0529; email Kristin@xterraplanet.com . Or just show up at the times posted above and we will find you an exciting spot. Hope to see you there!

If you are planning to volunteer, please contact me, and I will send you an XTERRA Volunteer Park Entry pass for free admission into the park.

Southern singer/songwriter, Kate Campbell, will give a concert to benefit the programs of GBM on Thursday, June 14th at 7:00pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church (for directions visit www.uucbham.org/location). A ticket for the concert is a $20 tax-deductible donation. Advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door the night of the concert. The concert is generously underwritten by Mary Johnson-Butterworth and Chuck Butterworth with in-kind support from Accu-Print.

Tickets may be purchased by calling me or Gracie Johnson at 326-6821. Information regarding ticket sales at area venues will be available on the GBM website (www.gbm.org) within the week. If you would like to make an additional donation to provide tickets for the low-income individuals and families we serve, contact me at Melissa@gbm.org.

Originally from Sledge, Mississippi, the daughter of a Baptist preacher, Kate Campbell’s formative years were forged by the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and those indelible experiences continue to inform her music. Kate’s eloquent gift for storytelling has drawn repeated comparisons to southern writers such as Eudora Welty, Flannery O’Connor, and William Faulkner. Her music has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Car Talk, and Mountain Stage. Kate’s newest CD, For the Living of These Days, is her eleventh. To learn more about her music visit www.katecampbell.com.

GBM is excited to host this concert by Kate Campbell, and we look forward to your joining us for an evening of celebration, fellowship and music!