United Way helps non-profit legal agency

Kansas Legal Services in Pittsburg helps people who otherwise couldn't afford legal representation. To do that, the agency must depend on outside charitable support.

According to its Web site, the Kansas Legal Services agency is a non-profit organization that operates statewide, offering a variety of legal help to low-income individuals and people with special needs. The Web site said that the agency has served a large number of individuals in the different counties across Kansas.

"KLS served more than 25,000 individuals in all 105 counties last year through 13 legal services, two mediation and six employment training offices located across the state," KLS officials said.

KLS has developed 14 offices in Kansas that residents can contact for legal services. The office that serves Bourbon County is located in Pittsburg.

The Pittsburg legal aid office offers low-cost services to victims of domestic abuse and receives about 3,000 requests for assistance per year, KLS attorney Eric Rosenblad, who works from the Pittsburg office, said.

Any applicant wishing to receive services may call the agency's 800 number, at which time he or she will receive help with the application process over the telephone. After evaluating each application, the attorneys decide if the applicant will be represented by the agency or advised to seek representation elsewhere, Rosenblad said.

Even though the office in Pittsburg covers nine counties, it employs only two attorneys. According to Rosenblad, the agency is only able to offer services to about half of the number of people who apply for help.

In the 1920s, a need was seen for legal aid for low-income people. The American Bar Association recognized that some people did not have equal opportunities concerning legal matters, because they could not afford to hire attorneys.

In 1977, three legal aid societies combined to form Kansas Legal Services. According to Rosenblad, the Southeast Kansas branch of KLS opened in 1978.

KLS receives funding from more than 100 government and private agencies, Rosenblad said. One of those agencies is the United Way, according to the United Way of Bourbon County.

On Sept. 20, the United Way of Bourbon County will kick off its yearly campaign. Through its annual campaigns, the United Way raises funds from individual and corporate donations to aid KLS and other recipient service agencies by providing them with needed financial support.

For more information about the United Way call (620) 223-0980. For more information about the Kansas Legal Services call (620) 232-1330 or visit their Web site at www.kansaslegalservices.org.