Nonprofit’s legal assistance helpful to clients | Helplline House | May 28

Published 3:57 pm Friday, May 28, 2010

On the evening of the fourth Tuesday of each month, the lights burn late at Helpline House. Lawyers and clients meet and sit down together, discussing their cases

Why do they meet at Helpline House and not in a law office? Because these evenings are special, as the legal services are provided free of charge. Part of the Northwest Justice Project, the CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education Assistance Referrals) program is statewide and provides intake and referral for low-income clients for civil legal problems.

They don’t do criminal or traffic matters, but they do provide help with matters such as family law, divorce, parenting plans, wills and trusts, and a host of other civil legal issues.

Helpline House partners with Kitsap Legal Services and Bainbridge Island attorneys to offer this opportunity on the Island for a monthly Legal Clinic. It begins with a call to CLEAR (1-888-201-1014) to determine if the caller is eligible due to income and what legal assistance is needed. Then CLEAR staff contact Kitsap Legal Services, which sets up an appointment with a local attorney who volunteers the time needed. Appointments are scheduled with attorney and client at Helpline House to resolve the client’s issues.

“Our purpose is to improve access to justice for low-income residents of Kitsap County.” said Volunteer Coordinator Attorney Alisha Freeman, from Kitsap Legal Services. Several Bainbridge Island attorneys give their time and expertise and three – John Eyrich, Steve Olsen and Rob Beattie – will be recognized for their longevity in supporting the clinic at next month’s Helpline House annual Benefit Party.

Thank you to all the volunteer attorneys for giving such valuable services to our community!

Call between 9:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. if interested in accessing the Helpline House Legal Clinic. And the earlier the better due to the volume of calls competing with all Washington cities.

“You will have a much higher success rate,” said Murray Prins, Helpline House social worker and clinic liason. “Be persistent, and don’t use a cell phone as it may use up your minutes too fast.” If you are over 60, call the senior CLEAR number 1-888-387-7111, regardless of income.

Clinics are also available in Bremerton on the first Tuesday, Silverdale on the second Tuesday and Poulsbo on the third Tuesday of the month. This program is statewide and not restricted to Bainbridge Island residents.

Summer scholarships

Scholarships are available at Helpline House for summer programs. See the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District catalogue for youth sports or camping opportunities; call 842-7621 for an appointment with a social worker.

If this is an activity you want to support, we can use donations of any amount — just designate them as such. To make it easy for you, use our “donate now” button on our Web site, helplinehouse.org.

Benefit Party

Please call Business Manager Myra Howery at 842-7621 for information about attending the Board of Directors Annual Helpline House Benefit Party on June 19 at IslandWood. Live music and dancing will be included. All are welcome, so come and join the fun while supporting a great community mission

Garnet Logan is a member of the Board of Directors of Helpline House