| Project SALUTE is a UDM program that provides pro bono (free) legal assistance and/or representation to thousands of veterans who need to file VA claims or who are having problems getting the benefits they deserve. Over 80,000 veterans live in Shiawassee and surrounding Counties.
St. John's United Church of Christ Pastor John Downing is hosting Project Salute on Monday June 8, 2009 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Over 80,000 veterans live in Shiawassee and Surrounding Counties. St. John's United Church of Christ is located at 429 N. Washington at the corner of N. Washington and Oliver streets.
Based on the success of Project SALUTE's visit to Mason and Lansing in February and Bath Township in April, Owosso resident and Veteran' Advocate Judy Ford asked Project SALUTE to visit Shiawassee County and is working in conjunction with UDM Law to maximize the reach and impact of the stop.
UDM Law is the only law school in the country with a Mobile Law Office (MLO), a 31-foot Recreational Vehicle that has been outfitted as a law office. Through Project SALUTE, volunteer attorneys and UDM Law students counseled and/or otherwise assisted over 2,000 people during the past year. The MLO has made numerous stops at regional senior centers, churches, and other similar facilities, as well as regular stops at facilities where veterans congregate.
"We have been overwhelmed by the response and the requests for assistance from veterans since we started our state-wide tour," said Mark Gordon, Dean of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. "There is much more work to be done and we are thrilled to extend our tour into 2009."
In addition to the tour, the state grant is being used to establish a freestanding Veterans Clinic at the school dedicated to specifically addressing veterans' issues, especially pension and disabilities cases. With the help of law school faculty and attorneys acting in a pro bono capacity, law students will be able to provide representation and other forms of assistance for Michigan's veterans in their efforts to seek disability payments as well as addressing a range of other legal issues.
For more information about UDM Law, please visit www.law.udmercy.edu or call 1-888-UDM-LAW4. |
