Legal Assistance to the Elderly (LAE): 45 Years of Delivering Justice and Protecting Aging with Dignity in The City!
For 45 years, Legal Assistance to the Elderly (LAE) has been a beacon of hope for San Francisco’s most vulnerable seniors and adults with disabilities. This vulnerable population is at growing risk of homelessness, financial exploitation, and eviction, and LAE is their lifeline, providing free legal services that enable clients to stay housed, financially stable, and safe. Studies show that seniors make up the fastest-growing group entering homelessness in California. We see this firsthand, with 60% of the cases LAE takes on related to housing threats. Read our 2023 Impact Report to learn more.
One of the countless stories of LAE’s impact is that of Annie O’Keeffe, the 73-year-old proprietor of O’Keeffe’s Bar, a beloved neighborhood spot in the Richmond. Her landlord unlawfully tried to evict her from her apartment of 37 years after refusing to let her longtime partner, Michael, move in to assist her due to her declining health. On the brink of losing her home, LAE stepped in. After a hard-fought legal battle, our team secured Annie’s tenancy, allowing her to continue living safely with her partner as a legal tenant by her side. These stories of perseverance underscore the power of legal advocacy in transforming lives. As the number of seniors facing eviction and homelessness grows, LAE’s mission is more critical than ever.
On October 10th, 2024, LAE will celebrate its 45th anniversary with a cocktail reception at Terra Gallery in San Francisco. This event will bring together supporters and community members to recognize the organization’s crucial work, and raise much-needed funds to ensure LAE’s essential services continue for years to come.
How You Can Help: Your support will make a direct impact on the lives of seniors like Annie and countless others. Join us at the event, donate, or purchase a ticket by visiting our event page. Help us continue to provide the legal assistance that allows seniors to age with dignity and security.
For event inquiries, please contact us at event@laesf.org
Legal Assistance to the Elderly
Donate now!www.laesf.org
(415) 757-4507
Executive Director: Laura Slade Chiera
Mission
LAE’s mission is to protect and advance the right of San Francisco’s seniors and adults with disabilities to be housed, healthy, financially stable, and safe. When eviction, elder abuse, problems with benefits or creditors threaten, LAE is the lifeline.
Begin to Build a Relationship
We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s Director of Development and/or Executive Director.
After her husband died, Ana Maria Fernandez’ landlord tried to illegally triple her rent, making it cost more than three times her income. With LAE’s advocacy, she saved her home of 28 years.
“I am really happy and grateful for all that your staff has done for me. I don’t know what I would have done without LAE. I was treated with such kindness and respect. Thank you with all my heart.
Donations Directly Prevent Evictions and Foreclosures
San Francisco spends between $35,000 and $70,000 on homeless services a year for a single unhoused person, 25% of whom are over 50 years old.
At Legal Assistance to the Elderly, a gift of $2,500 covers the expense to represent a senior at risk of homelessness and defend against an eviction. For a gift of $5,000, Legal Assistance to the Elderly can help prevent a home from being foreclosed on.
For a fraction of what the city will ultimately spend, Legal Assistance to the Elderly can keep a senior who has fallen on hard times inside and housed, preserving the community and empowering seniors with independence and dignity.
Key Supporters
Menorah Park Community
Impact Fund
Bigglesworth Family Foundation
van Loben Sels/RembeRock
Foundation
Kaiser Foundation
Adobe Employee Fund
Legal Services Funders Network
Wells Fargo Foundation
Tides Foundation
Bank of Marin
Amy Fox & Ulysses Hui
Kathy Pugh & Josh Maddox
Mischelle Mandel & Nancy Conway
Arthur and Charlotte Zitrin
Foundation
California State Bar Foundation
San Francisco Mayor’s office of
Housing and Community
Development
San Francisco’s Department
of Disability and Aging Services