Wisconsin Hispanic Bar Association & Milwaukee Bar Association Contact: Edward R. Lawson, Jr., Law Day Chair Milwaukee Bar Association 414/271-6560 or Pedro Colón, Wisconsin State Representative and president Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association E-mails: erlawson@mbf-law.com; rep.colon@legis.state.wi.us Activity Summary: In Milwaukee (WI) County, Law Day activities generally center around lawyer volunteers providing legal information at various locations. Typically, information booths are set up in five sites, including three malls, the downtown library, and a community center. In 1999, the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association worked with the Milwaukee Bar Association, community groups, and churches to increase participation at the community center, which serves a largely Hispanic population. The local media advertised the event in English and Spanish. On Law Day, the program at the community center began with a 30-minute summary of how immigration status affects various areas of the law, such as family law, employment law, etc. After the presentation, attorneys met with individuals to discuss specific legal or immigration-related issues. At the end of the six-hour session, 150 people-more than ten times the average number Law Day participants at this site-were able to get answers to their legal questions. Sponsorship Entity: The Wisconsin Hispanic Bar Association, the Milwaukee Bar Association, the United Community Center, and the Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope. People Benefiting: 150 people benefited from the session at the center. Volunteers: 12 volunteers at the center. Best Things about This Program: The number of people served -"Through the outreach efforts, we were able to help a community that historically has been underserved. In years past, there would be one or two attorneys who sat at the site talking with ten or twenty people all day. Last year, the response was so great that the volunteers didn't even get a lunch break!" Involvement from other groups - "This really was a team effort. We were able to get agencies, churches, and businesses involved in promoting the event." Secrets of Success: Addressing key issues for the audience - "We had a great focus for the target audience and were able to narrow it down to a 30-minute presentation." How-to Advice "Getting the word out and getting the community united in helping us serve this population." What We Learned: Contact religious organizations to get help in publicizing the event. "We received help from the Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope in reaching immigrants. As a result religious leaders highlighted the upcoming event during services and many local churches included leaflets in the weekly bulletin mentioning Law Day." "The progress made this year in reaching immigrants has energized the planning for Law Day 2000 activities throughout the county. We're going to expand to other parts of the city and to other groups that have been underserved." Cost:    $500 was budgeted for publicity and ads to promote event at the United Community Center site. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization