Rend Your Heart, by Jan Richardson

Day 32 : Anglicans on the Streets | Anglican Legal Aid & Reconciliation

What do you do when access to justice and legal resources are beyond your financial means?

How do you engage a legal system that typically requires thousands of dollars to retain legal counsel?

How do we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to find counsel, protection, advocacy, and defense in our legal systems?

Many of us are familiar with the admonition of Proverbs 31:8-9. We are told to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

How do we do that in ways that care for the vulnerable while seeking truth and reconciliation? One of the Matthew 25 Initiative 2023 grant recipients found a way. It is an honor, as M25i, to be able to both support this work and tell their story.

The Anglican Legal Aid & Reconciliation (ALAR) clinic reaches multiple-vulnerable populations  by not only providing low-cost legal care but also offering fellowship and community through local parishes. 

"The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love."

Psalm 33:5

“If death got the upper hand through one man’s wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?”

-Romans 5:17, The Message

Their work involves:

  • Custody Support

  • Juvenile Defense

  • Post-conviction Writs

  • Family Law

  • Mediation

  • Criminal Defense

  • Wills and Estates

  • Landlord-tenant Disputes

  • Certain Civil Litigation

This team of visionary Anglicans who serve the entire area, engages each person with vigorous hope, helping youth who could so easily spiral but could be redirected with mentoring and tutoring and support. Women who are vulnerable to abuse are protected. A single parent might not have to suffer the burdens that would come without child support. For those who have committed a crime, ALAR advocates for their dignity and a fair process that makes way for restoration. Additionally those who have been wrongfully convicted have a chance for injustice to be righted.

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

– Micah 6:8

The Unforgiving Servant, by Jim Janknegt

ALAR provides theologically-informed legal services to those who are under-resourced. Legal services will not be free, but are offered at greatly reduced fees.

Imagine desperately needing competent, caring, legal counsel but realizing that it was well beyond your financial means.

Imagine feeling alone, hopeless, and helpless.

Now imagine hearing that an organization connected to a welcoming community was willing to help. Willing to hear your case, to care for you, to pray for you, to support you.

For those in the Rio Grande Valley, they don’t have to imagine – they simply need to call ALAR.

For more information, see Anglican Legal Aid & Reconciliation.