Page 2 - annual report 2017 final

1
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services 2017 Annual Report

Message from SLLS Board

President, Vivian Guillory

“Justice is Golden” as SLLS’ celebrates its 50
th
Anniversary of providing life-changing civil legal help to
low-income people. Civil legal aid programs like SLLS
improve communities while keeping faith with one of
America’s core values – equal access to justice. On a
daily basis, our staff and volunteers prevent the loss of
shelter, protect vulnerable people from violence,
strengthen health and family stability, improve economic
opportunities for marginalized people, and more. Pictured above left to right: Vivian Guillory, SLLS Board President,
Laura Tuggle, SLLS Executive Director, Roxanne Newman, SLLS
During our 50 Anniversary Year, I am honored to serve Deputy Director
th
as the Board President for SLLS. Back in 1967 when
SLLS’ predecessor, the New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation was first founded, it was dubbed “an
experiment” by the Times-Picayune. Despite a difficult start, constant funding challenges, efforts to
dismantle legal aid, and the overwhelming legal needs of Louisiana’s high poverty population, civil legal aid
has proven critical to ensuring a more just society and to strengthening communities.

Working with our 50 Anniversary Advisory Committee, we have planned several events to commemorate
th
this milestone. We kicked off our 50 year at the Louisiana Supreme Court on November 9, 2017 with a
th
panel of distinguished speakers and the launch of the “Justice is Golden” Exhibit at the Louisiana Supreme
Court Museum. All four Louisiana law schools are hosting events in partnership with SLLS with community
events also planned on the Northshore and in the Bayou Region. To ensure a strong future for the next 50
years, be on the lookout for our “50 More Years Campaign” starting in Fall 2018. We are very grateful for
all the support we receive from the community in the interest of justice and invite you to join us as we fight
for justice for the next 50 years.

50 Anniversary Year Committee
th
Lila Arsan, Angela Bazile, Valerie Bargas, Mary Barrios, David F. Bienvenu, Dennis Blunt, Hon. Bernadette D’Souza, Kurt Duncan,
Dean Thomas Galligan, Charmel Gaulden, Vivian Guillory, Rita Gue, Ashley Aubrey Harrison, Jan Hayden, Steven Herman,
Michael Hill, Jay Jalenak, Regina Joseph, Dean Madeleine Landrieu, Brandt Lorio, Kerrie Long, Judy Perry Martinez, Warren
McKenna III, Dean David Meyer, Joel Miller, Monte Mollere, Letita Parker-Davis, John Pearce, Darryl Phillips, Chancellor John
Pierre, William Quigley, Christopher Ralston, Hon. Kern Reese, Lauren Davey Rogers, Marta-Ann Schnabel, Stacy Seicshnaydre,
Hon. Ray Steib, Mark Surprenant, Paul Tabary, Rolando Urbina, Jennifer Van Metre, Claudette Warren, Michael Williamson,
Rachel Wisdom, Hon. Lisa Woodruff-White, Patrick Yancey, Hon. Jay Zainey

2017 Annual Report