Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Tennessee's largest non-profit law firm, has received three grant awards from area organizations committed to seeking justice for the underprivileged. The organization helps those throughout Middle Tennessee and in Rutherford County. The West End Home Foundation, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the Tennessee Bar Foundation's Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts program made contributions that will enable Legal Aid Society to advance, defend and enforce the legal rights of vulnerable families who lack the basic necessities of life.

The West End Home Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for seniors through support of non-profit organizations providing advocacy, food, housing, health and transportation to those in need. Its grant will support Legal Aid Society's HELP program, which provides health care related educational seminars and legal services, long-term care options, advanced care directives and Powers of Attorney, especially for seniors.

A $5,500 grant from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will also assist Legal Aid Society's advocacy for the elderly. The funds will be used to provide seniors with free civil legal services and education on health care, long-term planning and other issues. Legal Aid Society was selected among hundreds of applications, and The Lillian G. and Dave Bogatzky Fund, the Martha Jean Dorris Helping Hand Fund and the Elizabeth Jonas Jacobs Advised Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee made the grant possible.

Finally, continued support from the Tennessee Bar Foundation's Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts program has been instrumental in Legal Aid Society's ability to help low-income individuals and families. Its most recent grant awarded the non-profit law firm $112,936 to help provide equal access to justice across Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau.

"We rely on awards like these as well as donations to carry out our mission," said Gary Housepian, executive director of Legal Aid Society. "In most of the counties we serve, Legal Aid Society is the only place where vulnerable individuals and families can find free legal civil assistance. We are grateful for grants like these, which allow us to provide education and advocacy programs to those most in need."

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands advocates for fairness and justice under the law. The non-profit law firm offers free civil legal representation, educational programs and advice to ensure people in its region are able to protect their livelihoods, their health and their families. It serves 48 counties from offices in Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Oak Ridge, and Tullahoma. Legal Aid Society is funded in part by United Way. Learn more at www.las.org.