Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) is a non-profit regional law firm that provide high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
LAWO & ABLE Helping Dayton Recover from Memorial Day Tornadoes
Thousands of Dayton-area residents lost their homes and other personal belongings as a result of 15 devastating torn Deadly tornadoes ripped through the Dayton-area on the evening of Memorial Day, causing damage that resulted in an emergency declaration.
People lost their homes, belongings, and other vital information required to get much-needed assistance in the aftermath. They needed replacement documents such as driver’s licenses and birth certificates, as well as assistance with damaged housing, food replacement, insurance questions, worker rights, small business assistance, and other areas. LAWO and ABLE created self-help documents to assist those in recovery with these and other immediate legal issues.
LAWO and ABLE have successfully represented tenants impacted by the tornados in eviction hearings and with other housing issues. Those needing help applying for FEMA benefits or submitting a FEMA appeal attended free clinics throughout the summer staffed by LAWO and ABLE attorneys. Exemplifying a community that knows how to pull together, the clinics were made possible by the generosity of The Greater Dayton Disaster Relief Fund of The Dayton Foundation, the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation, and the Ohio State Bar Foundation. And the Dayton Regional Transit Authority served as a home for traveling legal clinics. LAWO and ABLE will continue to stand with Dayton residents as they recover and rebuild - #Dayton Strong!
About the author
Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.