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The West Virginia Bar Foundation has granted its largest single award in its entire history. Childlaw Services, Inc. is the recipient of the grant in the amount of $30,000. The grant is specifically targeted at children who have suffered from the opioid addiction crisis in our state. With more than 6,000 children in the state currently in foster care and our state one of the leaders in our country in substance abuse deaths, the effect on our children is deep and immeasurable.
President of the Foundation, Teresa Dumire, stated:
“The Board of the WV Bar Foundation has reviewed your application and we unanimously agree that there is such a dire need for guardian ad litem attorneys in our state that we are awarding this grant, which is the largest single grant that the WV Bar Foundation has given in its entire history. We hope that this grant will assist you in continuing your great work on behalf of West Virginia children.”
Childlaw Services has selected two veteran attorneys as its first Fellows who have made a career of balancing the scales of justice. Susan MacDonald has been hired as a part-time associate and interim managing attorney in the Martinsburg office where the area has experienced a large exodus of social workers and attorneys in this area of the law where higher salaries elsewhere and retirement of many of these professionals have left huge vacancies. Susan brings to the table a career of serving the underserved through her work as a regional counsel and manager at Legal Aid, Director of the Commission on Aging, and an ordained minister at several local episcopalian churches. Timbera Wilcox has been hired in the Charleston office to serve the local area and coalfields. As a very successful plaintiff’s attorney, she has found her passion in the courtroom advocating for families and children in crisis, mostly stemming from issues of addiction. “Childlaw is very fortunate to hire these two outstanding lawyers who already make a huge difference in families’ lives in WV. We are excited they bring their expertise to our firm to help us address the crisis of our children growing up with parents who struggle with addiction and all the ramifications that entails” stated Cathy Wallace, Director.
Childlaw Services, Inc. is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to giving children a voice through representation, advocacy and empowerment. Not only does Childlaw represent kids in any legal matter all across the state, but it also runs programs focused on empowerment and intervention for our youth.
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