From: Kelli Williams, Chief Communications Officer City of Bartlesville Date: May 11, 2016 For release: Immediate Free Legal Aid Services presentation set for May 23 In conjunction with efforts to determine community needs and provide solutions to problems facing many Bartlesville residents, the City of Bartlesville is sponsoring a free presentation by Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma Inc. regarding free legal services in the Bartlesville area. The presentation is set to begin at 2 p.m. on May 23 at the Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone Ave. Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma is a non-profit organization that provides civil legal assistance to seniors and low-income persons throughout Oklahoma. In the presentation, LASO representatives will discuss the organization’s free legal services and the many free resources and links available on their website. The presentation is targeted to social service providers who can use the information to help their clients. “The need to get the word out about LASO’s services came out during recent community roundtable discussions,” said Nancy Warring, Grants administrator for the City of Bartlesville. In December, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Tulsa office approached the City, offering to provide a free Community Needs Assessment. Many community organizations were invited to attend roundtable discussions and provide input on Bartlesville’s needs. “We found out that many people who are struggling to improve their lives face barriers that prevent them from finding housing or jobs,” said Warring. “LASO can help them get around those barriers,” said Lyn Larson HUD senior management analyst. “They even have an entire virtual tour about expunging a criminal record.”

The event is open to all community-based and helping organizations. Case managers, social workers, helping professionals, human resource professionals as well as charity and church staff are encouraged to attend.

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