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Greetings!
11 years ago today, Valentine's Day 2000, Administer Justice was incorporated. That was the year of "8x10" -- the size of our first office. But thanks to God's grace and the generosity of our donor community, we've made it to 2011, which we call the year of "1x1 (One By One)", because that's how we're able to eliminate hopelessness and despair within the hearts of low-income clients throughout our community. One by one. Because attorneys and others volunteered over 10,000 hours, more than 2240 people received free legal and tax assistance in 2010 -- an increase of 20% over 2009. They were listened to, prayed for, and empowered ... one by one. Because financial counselors offered their time last year, more than 50 people learned to manage their money based on solid Biblical principles: 5 times as many as in 2009! They now have the steps to build a budget, strengthen their families, and be on the path to eliminate their debts ... one by one. Because those with a heart for justice opened their doors to us and hosted outreach events, we reached more than 9000 people last year at churches and community centers throughout the area -- almost double the year before. We taught our neighbors how to avoid predatory lending services, identity theft, tax fraud, and much more. It may have been a group setting, but we got an important life-changing message across ... one by one. And because people like you gave, we were able to handle this growth, AND meet our financial obligations, AND fill critical staff positions, AND still put more than 96 cents out of every dollar donated into our programs and services. As an organization that has almost no government funding, this speaks volumes about the selfless generosity of our donors. That's why on this very special day we wanted to take a moment to catch you up on our Gospel Justice ministry and say a heartfelt thank you to our supporters ... One By One!  |
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 | Helping to heal a grandmother's broken heart |
| |  |  When she walked into our office, you could feel the sadness that came in with her. She carried a tattered old tote bag that was overflowing with papers to show the attorney, plus something she cherished beyond words: a picture of her holding her grandson Dustin shortly after he was born. It was the last time she had held him. As guardian to the infant's mother, Beatrice* had been anticipating her role as "nana" for so many months. But because of an incredibly complicated chain of events, Dustin's paternal grandmother has obtained legal custody, and has refused both Dustin's mother and Beatrice access to him. Needless to say, Beatrice is broken-hearted and wants nothing more than to have time with Dustin and to hold him once again. As our volunteer attorney listened to the story, and prayed with Beatrice, some hope began to seep into her heart. She now knows what steps she should take to try repair the lines of communication with Dustin's custodian and try to establish a visitation schedule. If that cannot be done without intervention, Beatrice will return for document preparation and coaching so she can petition the court for visitation rights. I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.
Psalm 140:12 *Client names are changed. |
| News about Administer Justice gets to the heart of the matter |
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Fox Valley Church in West Dundee becomes our newest satellite office and will now be hosting Saturday Legal Clinics on the 3rd Saturday of every month. The Daily Herald newspaper made the announcement.
Administer Justice has partnered with Kane County for two very important programs that help low-income individuals receive help with court matters. The Lawyer in the Library program provides pro bono coaching to residents who need assistance preparing documents for court and also an understanding of how to present them before the judge. Several AJ volunteer attorneys now assist with the program on Wednesdays and Fridays each week.
The most recent launch was for the Foreclosure Help Desk, at which volunteer attorneys answer general questions about the foreclosure process, select and hand out informational materials, and assist with referrals to housing counselors.
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| A heartfelt welcome to our newest Board member |
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Attorney Dave Clark 
We are pleased to announce that Dave Clark has agreed to join our Board. A graduate of Indiana University who received his law degree at Loyola-UIC, Dave and his wife Rebecca are raising their two children in Wheaton and attend Wheaton Bible Church. Dave is a partner at Peregrine, Stime, Newman, Ritzman & Bruckner, Ltd., and is the head of the firm's litigation practice before all state and federal courts in Illinois. He was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005. He has been one of our volunteer attorneys, and therefore brings an important perspective to the Board.
Mr. Clark is an Eagle Scout and a former local Boy Scout Leader. He is an accomplished runner having completed a marathon in every state and also finished an Ironman Triathlon. He currently races with his son as a member of the Athletes by Design (ABD) cycle club and is a charter member of the 50 States Marathon Club.
Welcome, Dave! |
| Do you like Administer Justice? Then FACEBOOK us! |
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Our new Facebook page is "live" and we need your help to spread the word.
Along with updates on what's going on with our Community Justice Center, you'll receive updates on important issues concerning the suburban poor.
You can also participate in discussions that are meant to get us all thinking and talking together. Take a look at the one we just posted, and tell us how you view Compassion and Justice -- are these words interchangeable? How are they demonstrated? Enquiring minds want to know.
We'll admit it: we want Gospel Justice to go viral! Just click the link below, go to our page, and "like us".
We want to say a special thanks to Deb Wolf for putting the new page together for us. |
| Someone has taken all our Bibles! (and we love it) |
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Help us send a Bible home with our clients
Clients hear two very important things when they meet with one of our attorneys: they hear the truth about their situation, and they hear the truth that God loves them and has a plan for their life.
It's not easy to understand that plan if they don't have a Bible to read. That's why we're happy to give them away, and provide Bibles in both English and Spanish.
We could use some help purchasing a large enough quantity of Bibles so that we never run out. Each New Testament Bible costs just over $1 if we can buy enough to get a good deal. Your gift of any amount will share the Good News to people who haven't heard any in a very long time.
In the "comments" box near the bottom of the form, just type in "Bible give-away". Thank you. |
| Your support is the heartbeat of our ministry |
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Give 
Will you give and ask a friend to join you in the fight against injustice this year? Your support allowed us to finish 2010 strong but the only way we can expand to meet increasing needs is by increasing our support. Please give a tax-deductible gift this month. More than 96 cents of every dollar goes directly into our programs and services.
What do you do? What would you like to do? What can you help us do? We are always looking for people to join us in our mission to bring help to the helpless and hope to the hopeless. Whether you can give us a little time or a lot, weekly, monthly, or just a couple times a year ... we've got something for you to do!
We have a HOT need for Intake Specialists (phones and reception) on Tuesday afternoon (from noon until 5 pm) and Friday mornings (from 9 am until 1 pm).
We are also looking for someone who can help our Volunteer Services Director prepare a Powerpoint presentation in the next few weeks -- she's got the words if you can make it sizzle!
We have easy ways for you to share our story with people you know who also have a heart for justice. For example, you can forward this newsletter by using the link at the bottom of the page.
Or, friend us on Facebook (scroll up to previous article for link).
Or link people to our YouTube channel, featuring our new video "Out of the Shadows" -- a look at how people fall into a season of poverty, and at what Administer Justice does to put the "all" into "justice for all". Click on the video icon at left, or
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