Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) continues doing amazing work helping clients and communities needing legal advocacy that would, without our assistance, be out of reach. We transitioned to a hybrid work situation in mid-summer, providing services in-person at local offices and community clinic sites as well as remotely during this pandemic-impacted environment. This model continues to be advantageous to those families and individuals that Legal Aid serves.

The need for legal services continues to dramatically increase for low-income Texas residents. Many Texans face problems requiring civil legal solutions, education to understand their rights, referrals to community resources, and assistance in navigating complicated systems or completing forms or applications. LANWT’s intake portals, providing individuals with access to apply for services, have experienced a 28 percent increase this year through June 2022 when compared to 2021; 61 percent when compared to 2020; and 24 percent when compared to 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. Online intakes continue to explode with a 200 percent increase when comparing 2022 numbers to those in 2019. Our staff has provided legal services to more than 38,000 people through mid-August 2022, with assistance targeting the most vulnerable populations, including veterans, people with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness or housing instability, survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, the elderly, those in rural communities, and families impacted by the pandemic.  

Legal Aid staff provide quality legal services and advocacy in a variety of substantive areas including consumer, education, family, housing, probate, and other legal areas that provide economic stability, environmental justice, and community revitalization for those in need. The case outcomes often have meaningful and life-changing positive results for Texas families and communities who often share their appreciation for having benefited from free legal services. We collaborate with other local and statewide programs and community partners to ensure holistic assistance in the service of our mutual communities.

LANWT is only able to provide new and increased services to meet the critical and evolving legal needs of our low-income neighbors through the generous donations of our supporters. These contributions ensure that our mission to provide equal access to justice for low-income people with high-quality legal representation is a reality for many Texans. Currently, some low-income applicants are not able to receive a higher level of extended service because of the significant volume of applicants seeking free basic legal services.

LANWT invites you to learn more about our legal work and how you can partner with us in making a positive change in the lives of those facing civil legal challenges. We are grateful for the generous donation of time that so many volunteers give each year in addition to the gifts made to us by supporters. North Texas Giving Day, held this year on September 22, offers another way to give. Please consider a donation today! Your support will make a big difference to families in need of legal assistance seeking justice.