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The Naples Woman’s Club gives $15,000 to Legal Aid Service of Collier County to support eviction diversion

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Legal Aid Service of Collier CountyThe Naples Woman’s Club awarded a $15,000 grant to Legal Aid Service of Collier County to fund the Eviction Diversion Project and COVID-19 Legal Relief effort to assist local tenants at risk of eviction.

Legal Aid Service of Collier County provides free legal services to more than 2,500 eligible low-income Collier County residents annually – including over 250 tenants facing eviction over the last 12 months.

 “We are so honored and grateful for the generous grant from the Naples Woman’s Club to enhance our capacity to provide vital free legal services to help tenants stay in safe and affordable housing and to avoid homelessness,” said Carol O’Callaghan, deputy executive director of Legal Aid Service of Collier County.  “The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit many local tenants hard, and with rents rising and inflation challenging so many households we want to be there for all who need our help and thank the Naples Woman’s Club for supporting our efforts.”

The funding provided by the Naples Woman’s Club will bolster existing and high impact eviction diversion and COVID-19 legal relief and recovery efforts performed by Legal Aid Service of Collier County and will be used through the end of January 2023.

Legal Aid will provide free legal services to help eligible low-income clients to avoid eviction, and to stabilize them economically. These services include defense of eviction, and a wide range of housing law services. Legal Aid will also help guide and facilitate clients to receive available other benefits including rental assistance offered in Collier County.

The Naples Woman’s Club selected Legal Aid as one of five local nonprofits to receive proceeds from the 2022 Culinary Adventure That Gives Back series. The Culinary Adventure program was developed by the Naples Woman’s Club as a way to support local restaurants and provide grants to community agencies that are addressing issues like hunger and homelessness in Collier County.

“Since its founding in 1932, the Naples Woman’s Club has generously donated to causes that have enhanced our community,” said  Patricia Taylor, president of the Naples Woman’s Club. “Our philanthropic grants program supports local nonprofits and charitable organizations that address issues facing the community and its residents in need with priority given to homelessness, hunger, children’s needs and women’s needs. Preventing and addressing homelessness is a major concern. Since 2015, we have donated over $1 million to meet community needs.”

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