A TRADITION OF INVESTING IN ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN OREGON
OUR MISSION
The Campaign for Equal Justice ("CEJ") was established in 1991 by Oregon lawyers with the mission of ensuring that equal access to justice becomes a reality for all Oregonians. CEJ supports 92 legal aid attorneys in 18 communities. CEJ accomplishes its mission by:
- Operating an Annual Fund Drive with the help of 200 volunteer lawyers;
- Educating lawyers and the community about the importance of access to justice and how legal services are delivered in Oregon;
- Working with lawyer volunteers and bar organizations to increase state and federal funding for legal aid;
- Assisting legal aid programs in increasing revenue through foundation support; and
- Operating an Endowment to preserve the future of legal aid.
- Since 1991, the Oregon legal community has helped the Campaign raise more than $19 million for legal aid. Despite the tremendous efforts of our volunteers and contributors, we still meet less than 20% of the legitimate legal needs of Oregon's poor. With your help, we can do better than 20%.
WHO DO WE HELP?
Oregon legal aid programs assist low-income Oregonians all across the
state. Legal aid represents people with high priority needs—food, shelter,
medical care, income maintenance and safety from harm. About forty
percent of our work is in family law, usually helping victims of domestic
violence. If you would like to get in contact with a legal aid office, please click here to locate the office near you.
TWENTY PERCENT IS NOT ENOUGH; THE
NEED IS GREAT
There are now nearly 800,000 low-income Oregonians eligible for legal aid services. The need is increasing under pressure from a weak economy. Legal aid is only able to serve less than 20 percent of low-income Oregonians’ legal needs.
Your Investment Helps To:
- Provide direct legal assistance to 25,000 individuals and families each year;
- Assist thousands of individuals with self help materials, classes and websites;
- Connect private lawyers and low-income clients through legal aid’s many pro bono programs; and
- Secure public funding and foundation support to help maintain the integrity of our justice system.
