The latest news and updates from the Legal Aid Society |
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Propelling The Mission:
A Celebration of Black Legacy
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(Left to Right): Paul C. Perkins, Sr. & Paul C. Perkins, Jr. |
“Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose, they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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For over six decades, equal access to justice and social progression has been the driving force behind the work we do here at the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. When we opened our doors in 1961, it was because we were well-aware of the civil challenges that plagued our communities. Low-income, majority-Black communities, in particular, received the brunt of those civil challenges.
We now have a large network of trailblazing attorneys, staff members, government officials, and community partners who consistently stand on the front line in support of the Legal Aid Society helping us to fight against civil injustices for the protection of our Orange County residents, especially our most vulnerable populations.
We are honored to be an organization that understands the importance of diversity, integrity, and justice. During this month of February, we acknowledge and celebrate those who have uplifted African American communities by contributing to its history in a positively impactful way. In this release of the Monthly Docket Newsletter, we’d like to spotlight two social justice pioneers whose work has played an integral part in the foundation of organizations like the Legal Aid Society: Paul C. Perkins, Sr. and his son, Paul C. Perkins, Jr.
Paul C. Perkins, Sr. served the community of Central Florida as an advocate for civil rights and justice. He studied law at Howard University Law School and became the second African American attorney to serve in Orlando, FL. Perkins served as co-counsel with Thurgood Marshall and Jack Greenberg on the Legal Defense Fund of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He was also appointed by Mayor Robert S. Carr in 1965 to serve as the first African American Orlando City Prosecutor and served on interracial committees created in the 1950s and 1960s to help steer the Orlando community away from separate public facilities for blacks and whites.
Today, Paul C. Perkins, Jr., the son of Paul C. Perkins, Sr., continues his father’s legacy by further propelling the mission of equal access to justice for all. A graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Florida College of Law, Mr. Perkins is now the partner of successful personal injury law practice, Paul & Perkins PA. Mr. Perkins has recovered millions of dollars for his clients and unapologetically seeks justice in America’s courtrooms on behalf of those less fortunate.
He is an avid supporter of the Legal Aid Society, contributing financially and volunteering his time each year through pro bono work. Paul C. Perkins, Jr. contributes to several organizations throughout Central Florida including the St. Andrews Catholic School in Pine Hills, FL and serves on the Board of the University of Florida (UF) Levin College of Law. He helped start the John Lewis Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Law Scholarship Program at UF’s law school. The scholarship program currently grants ten full scholarships to graduates of HBCUs. He is also a supporter of The Paul C. Perkins Bar Association (PCPBA), which was founded in 1981. The PCPBA is a professional organization devoted to actively promoting the advancement of African Americans in the legal profession and diversity within leadership roles in the Central Florida community.
We here at the Legal Aid Society appreciate the advocacy of Mr. Perkins and it is because of people like Paul C. Perkins, Sr. and Paul C. Perkins, Jr. that our organization can continue to keep its doors open ensuring the flow of social progress as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and so many others urged us to do. To learn more about the Paul C. Perkins Bar Association, you may click here. To learn more about Paul & Perkins PA, you may click here.
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Free Bikes & Easter/Spring Treat Baskets for Central Florida's Youth! |
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Free Tax Assistance Through VITA Tax Clinic! |
The Legal Aid Society provides low-income resident with assistance on their taxes through our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Our tax clinic is virtual, free, and runs from February 1, 2022 to April 08, 2022. We prepare simple tax returns with a household income of $60,000 or less. We do not handle amendments or previous years during tax season.
Once tax season ends our tax clinic will remain open for previous years throughout October 31, 2022. You will need your tax documents (W-2, 1099), social security card (physical card, not a copy), drivers license, children's social security card and date of birth (if claiming dependents), and health insurance form if you have insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
To schedule an appointment, please call 407-841-8310.
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Embracing Diversity:
The Elmellouki Story
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Pictured: Andrea Elmellouki with her husband and children |
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Thurgood Marshall once said, “We deal here with the right of all of our children, whatever their race, to an equal start in life and to an equal opportunity to reach their full potential as citizens."
It is an unfortunate reality that, while all of our children should have an equal start in life and equal opportunities, it is not always so. Due to some of our country’s children being born into hardships that no child should ever have to endure, organizations and individuals in the community step up to mitigate those hardships and give our children a fighting chance to have bright futures.
Specifically, we’d like to highlight the story of a recent adoptive mother, Andrea Elmellouki, a registered nurse in Orlando, FL. Andrea initially learned about fostering children through seeing her mother selflessly open her home and her heart to her own foster children. Once Andrea was married, she and her husband made the decision to become foster parents as well, receiving their license to foster in 2016 for both Orange and Seminole counties.
Over the last six years, The Elmelloukis have opened their hearts and home to about 30 foster children. In 2019, their lives changed forever when they began fostering three young boys from a home of six children whose mother was faced with the unfortunate reality that she no longer had the economic means to support the children. Through the Legal Aid Society’s Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program, Andrea and her husband were able to adopt three of the children. One unique aspect of the Elmelloukis’ story is that they found it critical to establish a co-parenting dynamic with the boys’ biological mother who is still raising their youngest sister and in contact with two more of their sisters (currently being raised by their paternal grandmother). Andrea and her husband allow the boys to spend quality time with their biological mother 1-2 times per week. She describes the biological mother as an active, loving mother who has just so happened to be a victim of a lack of financial and educational resources.
Andrea notes that she does not ignore the racial differences between herself, her husband (who is also a person of color), and their children. She states, “We understand the differences and want to make sure we keep them connected to their culture as much as possible. I love them so much and I think it’s critical as adoptive parents of children from different cultural and racial backgrounds, that we embrace the importance of representation for our children.”
Individuals like Andrea Elmellouki and her husband align with the teachings of the great Thurgood Marshall, recognizing the right of all children, regardless of race, to be provided with the opportunity to reach their full potential as citizens. Through love, understanding, and grace, the Elmelloukis are doing just that for their three boys and foster children. The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. is grateful for the Elmelloukis and all those involved with our GAL program, positively impacting the lives of Central Florida’s children.
We are consistently seeking pro bono attorneys and Volunteer Advocates for Children (VACs) to help aid in cases similar to the Elmelloukis. No experience is needed. If you’d like to get involved today, please call us at 407.841.8310 or send an email to info@legalaidocba.org.
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FREE IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE! |
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info@legalaidocba.org | 407.841.8310 |
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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER 85-8012557303C-7/CH396 AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING THEIR WEBSITE AT www.FDACS.gov. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. |
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