On April 22, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. (LSGMI) launched the “Together, We Must” Campaign for Justice, a new fundraising drive co-chaired by Eugene Stearns, Bob Parks and Corali Lopez-Castro. Senator Bob Graham served as the keynote speaker at the event, which was hosted by Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson P.A.

The event, which brought together more than 100 attorneys and community leaders, was held in response to the national economic crisis that has hit Miami-Dade particularly hard. Over 500,000 people and 40% of the children in our community live in poverty and need legal help. With government funding on the decline, increased financial support from law firms and corporations is critical so that LSGMI can keep the doors of justice open in South Florida.

“You have a special role, responsibility and privilege in our society to represent people in defense of their lives, their freedom and their property, and with that come special obligations. We are gathered here tonight to ask you to fulfill one of those special obligations--to sustain equality for those who need it most,” said Senator Graham. “LSGMI is the means by which equality is provided to thousands of people in this community, and now is the time to support them,” added Graham.

The goal of the “Together, We Must” Campaign for Justice is to raise one million dollars to ensure that LSGMI can continue to protect the rights of the neediest individuals and families in our community so that they will have access to housing, healthcare, disability benefits, and income security.

“LSGMI has been here for over 40 years to protect the rights of low-income people when they are most in need,” said LSGMI Executive Director Marcia K. Cypen. “With the current economic climate such as it is, the number of people who are in crisis and need our help is increasing every single day.”

Also addressing those gathered were two of LSGMI’s grateful clients. Alexandra Coronado thanked LSGMI “from the bottom of my heart.” Coronado and her family would have been homeless if LSGMI had not intervened. Cynthia El-Daher, who almost lost her home of 17 years, said “unless you have experienced being thrown to the wolves, it is difficult to understand the emotion of being rescued.” She continued to explain that she is “only one of so many, who in times of crisis would be alone were it not for LSGMI—they offer hope to the hopeless and support when it’s needed the most.”

Click here to view photos of the event.
For more information please visit www.TogetherWeMust.org.