Whose life will you change when you invest in The Project?

Six-year-old Ca’Ron Steele waited almost his whole life for a happy ending. When it became clear that Ca'Ron's grandparents, Carl and Clarvette, needed to be his legal guardians for school, doctors and others, they sought out The Project for help in formalizing their relationship through an adoption.  

We matched the Steeles with Laurie Briggs Young of Adams & Reese, a maritime and energy lawyer, who received mentoring help and support from The Project as she represented them through the adoption process in family court. 

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One morning in late August, Ca’Ron walked into the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse with his grandparents and volunteer lawyer, and he walked out as Carl and Clarvette’s son.  

Who did this adoption impact?   

Besides the obvious, Ca'Ron's adoption affects teachers, doctors, and other institutional workers who come into contact with him daily. He won't become part of the over-burdened foster care system and the justice system - lawyers and judges - won't have to deal with the problems often created by a life in foster care. The community at large will benefit from a boy well-raised in a loving, caring forever home.

The Project recruits and mentors volunteer attorneys from the private bar and assigns them to civil cases where the client cannot afford to pay for legal counsel. Our clients include children, families, seniors, immigrants, and others who fall below the poverty line. 

The power of volunteer mentoring and pro bono work creates a ripple effect that helps thousands of people every year. For every $1 invested in legal aid services, the citizens of Louisiana receive $8.73 of immediate and long-term financial benefits. In 2017, more than 2,000 people directly benefitted from our services. Ca'Ron's is just one of many.

Invest in The Project today - help us multiply the ripple effect. 

Thank you to all our donors. Happy Holidays!