Legal Aid of Western Ohio

We look forward to celebrating Kaylee R. Price, recipient of the 2025 Brilliance Award, honoring her outstanding commitment to advocacy, pro bono service, and community impact within her first decade in the legal profession during this year’s Access to Justice Awards. As an attorney at Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling, Kaylee has already made a powerful mark through her work with the Ohio Innocence Project, Legal Aid of Southwestern Ohio, and the Dayton Bar Association’s New Lawyers Division. With over 35 hours of community service and pro bono hours in the past year and active leadership in local service organizations, Kaylee is a rising force in the Greater Miami Valley legal community. Join us in honoring Kaylee and other champions of justice at the 2025 Access to Justice Awards Celebration on November 6 at Sinclair Community College. For tickets and sponsorships, visit: www.ablelaw.org/A2J-Dayton

We are honored to celebrate Dr. Katherine Rowell, the 2025 recipient of the Patricia Rousseau Community Advocacy Award, in recognition of her outstanding work advancing housing justice and tenant rights in the Greater Dayton area during this year’s Access to Justice Awards taking place on November 6 at Sinclair Community College. A retired sociology professor from Sinclair Community College, Dr. Rowell has used her academic expertise to lead impactful community initiatives focused on eviction and its effects on children. Her work includes helping bring the national “Evicted” exhibit to Dayton, leading a community storytelling and theater project, and producing the documentary “Evicting the American Dream.” Dr. Rowell has collaborated with local organizations including the Dayton Tenant Union, ABLE, the Human Relations Council, and the Miami Valley Fair Housing Center to push for tenant protections and the right to legal representation in eviction cases. In September, Dr. Rowell was named a Del Mar Encore Fellow with the Dayton Foundation. Join us in honoring Dr. Rowell and her fellow Access to Justice awardees at this year’s celebration: For tickets and sponsorships visit: www.ablelaw.org/A2J-Dayton

We are proud to recognize Deborah J. Adler, Esq. as the 2025 recipient of the Lloyd O’Hara Public Interest Law Award for her extraordinary commitment to immigrant and refugee communities in the Greater Miami Valley. Please join us in celebrating her life-long service during the 2025 Access to Justice Awards on November 6 at Sinclair Community College. Since 2019, Deborah has partnered with Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley, contributing approximately 20 pro bono hours each week to help individuals and families from more than a dozen countries secure permanent residency, work authorization, and access to essential services. Her work has led to the successful issuance of approximately 600 Green Cards and supported families as they establish new lives in the region. Please join us in honoring Deborah and other distinguished advocates at this year’s awards celebration: www.ablelaw.org/A2J-Dayton

LAWO offices will be closed on Monday, October 13 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, October 14.

On September 24, 2025, team members from LAWO, ABLE, and Bethany House gathered online and at the 577 Foundation for a SAFE Project Retreat. Together, we discussed next steps for the project, finishing up the advocates’ manual, upcoming trainings and events, and the launch of the project’s new website. The SAFE Project (Safety and Accessibility for Everyone) began in 2019 through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. It has been extended through support from CommonSpirit, and was fearlessly championed by LAWO's late Project Director, Mercedes Thompson. The program works to improve access to justice for survivors of domestic violence in Lucas County who live with disabilities. By addressing barriers and expanding services, SAFE ensures that survivors receive the support they need. We look forward to the continued collaboration ahead. Enjoy photos from the retreat.

This in-depth WTOL story by Brian Dugger highlights the growing issue of out-of-state landlords buying up vacant properties, driving up rents and worsening housing conditions. LAWO Supervising Attorney Taylor Burns shares insights on what housing advocates are seeing on the ground. https://lnkd.in/gKqwkCww

Looking for support during pregnancy or postpartum? Join Central State University for “Ask the Doula,” a free virtual Q&A session offering guidance on birth, postpartum recovery, and infant feeding. These sessions are open to pregnant individuals, fathers, partners, and support persons who want to learn more and feel confident during this important time. Next session: Tuesday, September 23 at 1 p.m. Hosted by: Central State University Join here: https://bit.ly/4n8ztig Sessions continue every 3rd Tuesday at 1 p.m. through December 2025. No registration is required. Please share this opportunity with those who could benefit.

Last chance to join us for Justice on Tap this Thursday, September 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Poelking Lanes South in Centerville. General admission is $50, students $30. Bring a team of four to five for $250 ($150 for student teams) or sign up solo and we’ll place you on a team. Enjoy bowling, food, and fun while supporting LAWO, ABLE, and GDVLP. Prizes will be awarded to top teams and fundraisers. Don’t miss the silent auction featuring bourbon bundles, local tickets, and unique experiences. Start bidding now: https://bit.ly/47yfBAn Register today or learn more: https://lnkd.in/g6vexgx9

Without LSC funding, legal aid organizations across the country would face immediate layoffs and office closures. The result? Fewer attorneys, fewer resources, and more people—veterans, seniors, families—turned away when they need legal help most. Learn more at lsc.gov/communitiesatrisk #LSCMatters #LegalAidMatters

Justice on Tap is back on Thursday, September 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and this time we are at Poelking Lanes South in Centerville. General admission is $50 and students $30. Form a bowling team of four to five people for $250 ($150 student teams) or sign up solo and we will place you on a team. Enjoy bowling, food, and fun while supporting Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO), Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), and the Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Project (GDVLP). Prizes for top teams and fundraisers. Bowlers and non-bowlers alike can also bid in our silent auction with bourbon bundles, local tickets, and unique experiences. Check out the packages here and begin bidding today: https://bit.ly/47yfBAn You can also start a crowdfunding page to support legal aid with your friends, family, and colleagues: https://bit.ly/46hefYu To register or learn more visit: https://lnkd.in/g6vexgx9