ACT 2011 Will Clinic

Written on November 22, 2011 at 6:37 pm, by ACT Staff

The 2011 ACT Will Clinic was a tremendous success!  On November 5th, ACT staff and 140 volunteers took over the local elementary school, Amelia Earhart Learning Center.  This included 40 attorneys and 23 law students.  Residents from Westmoreland Heights began arriving at 7:30a.m. to meet with a volunteer attorney.  In all, seventy-seven neighbors received a free will and other estate documents.  We were able to promote a safer neighborhood for future generations by giving the residents of West Dallas assurance that their homes and personal assets pass according to their wishes after they die.  The residents served that day expressed their gratitude:

“Your service was excellent, very cordial and professional and I was really moved by the general assembly . . . I learned a lot of things to prepare for a better future . . . Thank you very much for this service, without this free clinic I wouldn’t be able to do this will . . . This was a great asset to the community and hope it will continue . . . The people were very good to me . . . God bless you and thank you.”

More importantly, we were able to use the clinic as a platform to speak about the importance of being prepared spiritually for death and the assurance of salvation that can only be received through Jesus Christ.  ACT staff presented the gospel to an auditorium full of residents and volunteers.  Beginning with the question “have you come to a place in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you died today you would go to heaven, or is that something you would say you’re still working on?”, ACT staff shared God’s grace (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9) and the perfect sacrifice that came from the death of Jesus Christ: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, we have gone our own way, but the Lord laid on him – the iniquity of us all.”  (Isaiah 53:6)  In addition, several volunteers had the chance to share their faith with members of the community.  As one volunteer attorney told us: “I got a chance to share a bit about how God has impacted my life, talk to them about their relationship with the Lord, and encourage them to get connected with a good church.”

The clinic also gave ACT a chance to meet neighbors in Westmoreland Heights, our new target neighborhood.  In addition, it allowed ACT the opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with leadership in that neighborhood.  We continue to be amazed by God’s work in West Dallas and humbled to serve Him in that community.  Many thanks to all of the volunteers that served at the clinic, the staff at Amelia Earhart Learning Center, and the Westmoreland Heights Neighborhood Association.

ACT Featured in the Dallas Morning News

Written on November 2, 2011 at 12:58 pm, by allison@nunezprgroup.com

We are excited to share that ACT was featured in the Nov. 1 issue of the Dallas Morning News.  The article, written by Roy Appleton, shared ACT’s mission of helping residents rid their neighborhoods of crime.

We are grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness for the needs of West Dallas residents. We are thankful for our volunteers, community support and the City of Dallas.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Share with us! What are your thoughts on the article?

A Will for Justice Volunteers Needed

Written on October 25, 2011 at 2:35 pm, by ACT Staff

We need your help. We hope to give out at least 100 wills at our free “A Will for Justice” Will Clinic on Saturday, November 5, but we cannot do it without you.  We need volunteers to partner with us to help promote a safer, more stable neighborhood for the Westmoreland Heights residents of West Dallas.

Haven’t registered to volunteer yet?  Click here to sign up.

Westmoreland Heights Will Clinic
Saturday, November 5, 2011
8:30a – 5:30p (Note: shifts are available)
Amelia Earhart Learning Center
3531 N. Westmoreland Rd.
Dallas, TX 75212

Please consider serving in one of the following areas:

Non-Legal Volunteers
Notary Publics                   Witnesses
Hospitality                          Registration
Child Care                          Runners
Parking                               Break Down/Clean-Up
Translators (Spanish/English)
Set-Up (Friday, November 4)

Legal Volunteers
Lawyers*                              Law Students

Interested?  Register online at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/awillfor.  You may also send an email to info@actdallas.org or call 214.951.9151.

*There will be a will-drafting workshop on Friday, October 21 for lawyers wanting to learn how to draft a will.  Attendees will receive 1.5 CLE credit hours, including .5 Ethics hour.

Thank you for partnering with us.  We appreciate your consideration and we look forward to working with you!

Updates on ACT’s First Trial Victory

Written on August 3, 2011 at 11:24 am, by ACT Staff

When we last reported about ACT’s first trial victory in our Winter 2010 edition, a jury had reached a verdict that held a property owner responsible for years of neglect to an old, rat-infested, abandoned property.  At that time, we were all waiting to find out what the judge would order the owner to do to address the nuisance his property had become to our client.  Since that time, so much has happened; and we can’t wait to tell you all about it.

 

Recap: As we previously shared in our last newsletter, Elma Canelas, a mother of now four young children (she gave birth just two weeks after testifying at trial), lives next to a boarded up, abandoned house where no one has lived in the last 15 years.  She worried about her family’s safety due to potential drug dealing, prostitution, and the health risks associated with rodent infestation. Her children were afraid to wait for the bus at the stop in front of the boarded up property, so they walked to the next stop, further away from their home.  The city and neighborhood association prompted the owner to clean up the property to no avail, so Mrs. Canelas along with some of her neighbors filed suit against the owner.  After failed attempts to negotiate a resolution with the owner, Mrs. Canelas and her neighbors were forced to take the case all the way to trial.  On October 27, 2010, after a year of litigation with the pro bono support of the law firm, Vinson & Elkins, a jury of Mrs. Canelas’ peers decided to hold this property owner accountable for the neglect of his property.  The case was then turned over to the judge to decide what the offending owner must do remedy the situation.

 

Update: In the judge’s December 2010 order he gave the property owner four months, or until April of this year, to make substantial repairs to the property and to exterminate on a regular basis.  By failing to comply with the judge’s orders, Mrs. Canelas argued that the owner was in contempt of the court’s order, and that the only way to put a stop to the nuisance would be to demolish the abandoned house.

On June 21, 2011, the judge handed down a huge victory to Elma Canelas and her West Dallas neighbors.  On that day, the judge agreed that the owner failed to address the safety and health concerns he expressed in his December order and ruled that the rat-infested property be demolished.

What a day!  Finally, the property that had been such an oppressive force to Mrs. Canelas, her children and her neighbors for so many years will no longer be a danger to her neighborhood.  Thank you so much to everyone who made this victory possible.  We give glory to God for such a significant step in working for justice in West Dallas.  The demolition, to be carried out by the community and volunteers, is set to take place on August 20.

Crime Stats

Written on August 3, 2011 at 11:05 am, by ACT Staff

In May of this year, Assistant Police Chief Vince Golbeck of the Dallas Police Department reported that crime in ACT’s two target neighborhoods, Westmoreland Park and Ledbetter Gardens, was reduced by 30% when comparing January 1- May 16, 2010 to January 1 – May 16, 2011.  “ACT is doing an amazing job in reducing crime in West Dallas.  In the Westmoreland and Ledbetter Gardens neighborhoods, crime is down by 30% compared to last year.  This is a direct result of ACT’s relentless work to represent residents in holding owners of drug houses and abandoned properties accountable,” said Chief Golbeck.

Measuring our efforts in West Dallas is an integral part of pursuing justice for Dallas residents.  Evaluating valuable statistical data before, during and after ACT’s involvement in our target communities reflects the impact we are making and demonstrates to our city that the pursuit of justice is transformational.  Collecting and analyzing crime statistics from the Dallas Police Department is a large component of our overall program education.  We are grateful for the partnership we have with the Dallas Police Department and the way God continues to open doors for those we serve.

A Prayer-driven Life

Written on August 3, 2011 at 10:23 am, by ACT Staff

What does it mean to incorporate reflection and prayer into your life?  As we continue our work of justice in West Dallas, ACT strives to make prayer a priority in order to be in line with God’s will for this community.  How do you, the reader, think reflection and prayer affect all our endeavors?  We’d love for you to share your thoughts on Facebook.

Question of the Day

Written on July 20, 2011 at 11:37 am, by ACT Staff

Why do you think it’s difficult for people to break through their comfort zones in terms of social justice?  What keeps people from making an impact in their communities, and how do you think that can be overcome?  We’d love for you to share your thoughts on Facebook.

“That I May Serve”

Written on July 13, 2011 at 11:21 am, by ACT Staff

Here is an encouraging example of selfless service from WORLD Magazine.  The article, entitled “That I may serve,” recounts the story of Virginia Tech students who built a bridge and shared the Gospel in Haiti.  How can we, as residents of Dallas, make similar contributions locally?  We’d love for you to share your thoughts on Facebook.

REMINDER: Burgers and Justice for All!

Written on July 8, 2011 at 10:14 am, by ACT Staff

REMINDER: Burgers and justice for all on Tuesday, July 19!!  Eat at Mooyah to benefit ACT! ACT is now partnering with Mooyah to raise awareness and funds. Mention ACT, and Mooyah will donate 15% from every order placed.

So, head over to Mooyah at Northwest Highway and Hillcrest (6713 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75225) between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, and make an impACT in the lives of others while enjoying a juicy burger or a creamy shake.  Spread the love!  Tell all your friends and family to enjoy a burger for a good cause.  All proceeds will go toward our legal operations in West Dallas.

We appreciate all your support!

“Raiding a Brothel in India”

Written on July 6, 2011 at 11:24 am, by ACT Staff

“Raiding a Brothel in India” by Nicholas Kristof is an inspiring article that reminds us of the importance of justice and awareness in today’s society and features International Justice Mission.  How do you think this story can impact our work and attitude in West Dallas?  We’d love for you to share your thoughts on Facebook.

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