ASHLEIGH STARNES | December 19th, 2019
For many of our clients who are facing housing instability, financial literacy can be a significant barrier to the safety and stability they deserve.
Through our Saturday Lawyer Program, we partner low-income Atlantans with volunteer attorneys who offer legal advice in times of crisis. Our volunteers spend over 4,000 hours each year fighting for equal justice in our community.
But even with legal support, many of our clients lack the resources they need to plan for their financial future and build healthy, stable lives.
“Kristin/FPA of GA truly understood our mission and was more than willing to fulfill this client need,” said Matilde. “We could not ask for a better partnership!”
“These clients wanted more information about to manage their income and debt,” said Matilde Davis, our Volunteer Engagement Manager. “We typically refer these clients to financial planning organizations, but I thought they would benefit more if we had a direct partnership with an organization that was willing to provide financial counseling services.”
In her research, Matilde stumbled across this article and reached out to Kristin Pugh, the Director of Community Outreach and Pro Bono Planning at the Financial Planning Association of Georgia.
“Kristin/FPA of GA truly understood our mission and was more than willing to fulfill this client need,” said Matilde. “We could not ask for a better partnership!”
The Saturday Lawyer clinic is our oldest and largest program – and it’s constantly evolving.
FPA of Georgia is now offering free financial planning assistance to our clients on Saturdays.
“FPA of Georgia’s Pro Bono Group is proud and honored to have the opportunity to partner with like-minded organizations such as AVLF, who, just like us, help to provide much-needed education and resources to the underserved of Atlanta and surrounding communities,” said Kristin Pugh. “We are so excited for what 2020 will bring – volunteer CFP® planners have already signed up through the first quarter to provide one-on-one counseling sessions with clients of AVLF!”
The Saturday Lawyer clinic is our oldest and largest program – and it’s constantly evolving. We work hard to listen to our clients and volunteers, and to adapt the program to best fit the needs of our community.
We’re thrilled to be able to offer this new service in partnership with FPA of Georgia. We know that this resource will have a significant impact on the lives of low-income Atlantans who come to us for help.
Ashleigh Starnes
Communications Manager
As AVLF’s Communications Manager, Ashleigh develops strategy, design, and content for AVLF’s digital and print communications. She’s deeply committed to sharing resources and education with her community at large – and makes it her mission to support AVLF’s programs and outreach in all they do.
Ashleigh is an Atlanta native. Before joining AVLF, she was a Fulbright Scholar in Turkey. Ashleigh holds a Bachelor’s in English and Linguistics from the University of Georgia. She is also a performance artist, and can occasionally be seen performing movement pieces, poetry, and combinations of the two around Atlanta and beyond.
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