In 2017, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) established an endowment to provide funding to help protect and enhance civil legal aid services for children with medical issues.

Started with funding generated during attorney Michael Freed’s “Freed to Run” effort, JALA aims to raise $1 million fund the endowment.  Baptist Health is matching JALA’s $1 million with an additional $1.25 million, bringing the endowment total to $2.25 million and more than doubling the impact. To date, the endowment is well on its way toward the $2.25 million fundraising goal.

The funding will be used to continue JALA’s work through the Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership (NFMLP). JALA partners with Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, UF Health Specialty Pediatric Clinics and Community PedsCare to screen for and address health-harming civil legal aid needs in the pediatric patient population. The NFMLP serves more than 200 children per year, solving legal issues that impact their health care.

“We provide the final piece of the medical triage. Working with the excellent physicians and staff at Nemours, Wolfson Children’s and our other partners, JALA staff attorneys focus on solving the core issues often underlying a child’s pediatric concerns,” said Jim Kowalski, President & CEO of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. “By establishing an endowment with the Baptist Health Foundation, we ensure the NFMLP can assist our area’s children for generations to come.”

The endowment principal will be held in perpetuity, while earnings from the invested assets help pay for legal services offered to children with medicolegal needs. These services include access to health insurance and other public benefits, advocacy in family law, consumer protections, immigration, and ensuring safe and affordable housing.

Fundraising efforts are underway. If you are interested in providing a contribution, you may donate online; or mail your donation to: Endowment, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, 126 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.