Ohio’s veterans have sacrificed so much, yet many still face significant legal and personal challenges. The Supreme Court of Ohio’s Lean Forward Initiative aims to address these barriers by educating judges and criminal justice stakeholders, fostering community partnerships to meet veterans’ needs, and sustaining long-term educational opportunities to enhance treatment and criminal justice programs available to veterans.
On Thursday, Nov. 20, the Supreme Court of Ohio will host the 11th annual Lean Forward Veterans Summit in Columbus. The Summit brings together courts, veterans treatment providers, and other community partners from across the state.
Last year, the Foundation revamped its Legal Services for Veterans grant program, which expanded capacity within Ohio’s civil legal service providers to address the wide-ranging needs of the veteran community. The Foundation’s board recently approved the program for a second year of funding at $575,000.
“Our veterans deserve meaningful support,” said Camille Gill, programs and grants counsel at the Foundation. “The Foundation remains deeply committed to ensuring that veterans have access to the legal resources and community connections that help them thrive long after their service.”
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation is the largest funder of civil legal services in Ohio. A gift to the Foundation supports Ohio’s veterans.