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Letter from the Executive Director One test of a service organization is how well it performs under difficult circumstances. There is no doubt that Connecticut Legal Services staff members shine by this measure. The jobless economic recovery means that more and more people are in crisis and need help. The CLS staff continues to work with furlough days, and through it all, this dedicated, experienced, talented group makes a huge difference in the lives of thousands of low-income Connecticut citizens every year. Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts, once the mainstay of the CLS revenue structure, remains at record low levels. Our finances are stable because of state support, foundation funding, and local funding, including our donor-based Campaign for Justice. Even with all this help, we are just scraping by; our finances will not fully recover until interest rates recover. Until then, we will remain unusually dependent on staff sacrifices and the generosity of many supporters. The results of all this effort from our funders, donors, and staff have been remarkable. Victims of domestic violence, tenants in foreclosed buildings, children and elders in crisis, workers who are not properly paid, and people with disabilities continue to turn to CLS in huge numbers. The efforts of our lawyers, paralegals, and legal assistants have been unflagging. The quality of our legal work remains an example for the rest of the state, and despite reductions in hours and staff attrition, CLS continues to serve almost 5,000 low-income residents every year. What can you do to help? Your support matches the dedication of the CLS staff—and that combination gives me confidence in our ability to continue our work, even through hard times. We know that people in crisis who need essential legal help count on us. Sincerely,
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