LSEM receives grant to aid neighborhood initiative

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri will receive a $316,361 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant from the Legal Services Corporation to support LSEM’s Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative.

The initiative, launched in 2018, provides access to legal representation for urban neighborhoods and residents struggling with vacant and abandoned property.

Through the program, law firms and pro bono volunteers help to stabilize housing, return vacant property to productive use and improve the quality of life in low-income neighborhoods. In a statement, LSC President Jim Sandman said the organization is grateful for Congress’ increasing support of its Pro Bono Innovation Fund.

“These grants stimulate more participation by pro bono volunteers,” he said. “They enhance public-private partnerships, leverage the federal investment in civil legal aid and allow our grantees to reach more people in need of civil legal assistance.”

Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt also applauded the grant in a statement.

“For over 40 years, the Legal Services Corporation has provided quality, no-cost legal services to millions of low-income citizens,” he said. “This grant will support Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s important efforts to provide counsel to people in the community.”

The $4.5 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund is a competitive grant program focused on investing in projects that identify and promote replicable innovations in pro bono legal work for low-income legal aid clients. LSEM is one of 14 grant recipients this year.