Legal Aid of the Bluegrass

Easy access to opioids and poor living conditions are leading many Kentuckians to becoming addicted and overdosing from substance abuse. In 2016, 1404 Kentuckians overdosed, a nearly 13% increase from the previous year.  Our 33 county service region has been hit hard by this crisis. This is partially due to the location of our service region. Several counties are located on the borders of Ohio and West Virginia, two states that rank high in opioid related issues.

There is no greater time of year for Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (LABG) than the Season of Pro Bono. A time for celebration and appreciation of the legal services provided to needy Kentuckians by volunteer lawyers.  Last year alone, LABG received over 10,000 requests for help. LABG attorneys and advocates helped 5, 870 families or about 55% of those Kentucky families that called us for help. Volunteer lawyers fill in the gap and provide much needed legal representation to those LABG cannot.

In Kentucky we celebrate BOURBON. 

Lexington, KY— Catherine DeFlorio, an Attorney with Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (LABG) since 2000, will be celebrated at the Crime Victims’ Rights Week luncheon and ceremony tomorrow,  April 11^th. DeFlorio has been chosen to receive the 2018 Fayette County Crime Victims’ Right Week award for her outstanding service and dedication to victims of violence. This is the first year that the award will be given to a single individual, a true testament to the reach of her work and commitment to her clients.

As we pursue ways to address environmental justice issues for our clients, brownfields are one area of specific focus. Brownfields are properties that have been previously developed and have some remaining legacy of pollution. For instance, soil, groundwater and surface water contamination may be an issue as well as general blight. Unfortunately for our clients, brownfields tend to be clustered in impoverished neighborhoods. They exacerbate disinvestment and create unsafe situations for residents.