March 7, 2023 – 2022 proved to be another challenging year for Mainers. Skyrocketing inflation,
an uncertain economic future, an ongoing housing crisis and more factors continue to push
more at-risk individuals into a tight spot. Maine’s civil legal aid providers help as many as they
can, but resources don’t allow them to help everybody. That’s where the Campaign for Justice
aims to help, and members of Maine’s legal community responded enthusiastically in 2022.
The Campaign for Justice, the annual fundraising campaign to the Maine Bar, raised $631,000
for needy Mainers last year. Nearly 1,400 members contributed a gift. In addition, 54
volunteers turned out to lend a hand in fundraising efforts, donating 740 hours of their time at
an estimated value of almost $148,000.
“We never cease to be amazed by the incredible generosity of the Maine bar who collectively
commit so much time and money toward helping Mainers in need. We are grateful to Maine
lawyers and judges for their selflessness and leadership in ensuring access to justice via the
Campaign for Justice,” says Michelle Draeger, Executive Director of the Maine Justice
Foundation.
Since 2004, the Campaign for Justice has worked collaboratively with Cumberland Legal Aid
Clinic, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Legal Services for the Elderly, Maine Equal Justice,
Pine Tree Legal Assistance, and Volunteer Lawyers Project to raise money from the Maine Bar
in support of civil legal aid. The 2022 Campaign for Justice result is the third highest in its
history.
These legal aid providers serve over 20,000 people every year—Mainers who need, but are not
able to afford, help for life-changing issues like protection from abuse and harassment,
divorce, eviction, health care, immigration, or loss of government benefits.