Through the 1960s and 70s, increased awareness on the national level of the need for no-cost legal services along with community needs assessments led to funding from sources such as the Red Feather Society (now known as the United Way), as well as federal funding from the newly formed Legal Services Corporation or (LSC). LSC was created by Congress and charged with distributing federal funds to programs around the country providing legal aid. During that time, in order to better represent its growing service area outside of Maricopa County, MCLAS changed its name to Community Legal Services. CLS now represents a five-county radius which includes Maricopa, La Paz, Yuma, Mohave and Yavapai counties.
The need for legal aid is great. Where those who are involved in criminal matters have a right to an attorney, those who find themselves involved in civil matters do not have such a right, thus requiring them to hire private representation, which they often cannot afford. In Maricopa County alone, just under 650,000 residents are living at or below the federal poverty level (FPL). Community Legal Services is able to assist eligible persons whose annual household income is at or below 125% of the FPL.
Not only does the work of CLS change the lives of individuals and families on a daily basis by preventing homelessness, protecting victims of domestic violence and more, CLS also has a positive impact on Arizona’s economy.