Become a volunteer to help our clients with their civil law issues. To find out if you are eligible for legal aid from Bluegrass Services, please call 859-431-8200. The Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky, Inc., known nationally as « AppalReD, » is a private, not-for-profit law firm. We provide free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income individuals in 37 counties in the Appalachian and hilly regions of eastern and south-central Kentucky, a region where more than 240,000 people live in poverty. AppalReD lawyers, paralegals and legal secretaries at six local law firms work hard to improve the lives of our clients. We help our clients meet and meet their basic needs: income; adequate nutrition and health care; decent, safe and hygienic housing; and personal safety and protection from violence and abuse. AppalRed offers a unique volunteer lawyer program, and our low-income tax clinic is expanding to provide income tax assistance to residents of 86 Kentucky counties. AppalReD also serves our community with training for private lawyers and legal staff, such as our well-known annual domestic violence conferences and poverty law seminars. AppalReD cannot provide assistance with criminal law matters. Its mission is to address key issues faced by low-income and other vulnerable people by providing quality legal assistance through direct representation, education, counseling, advocacy, and coordination with other community resources. Our four offices are located in our service area. They can have a personal and lasting impact on the poor and vulnerable in our community. And the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Kentucky IOLTA funds, other federal funds, and private donations.
Their clients are residents of frail elderly nursing homes, those who are abused by their loved ones, those who have barriers to employment, those who are economically exploited, and those who lack the basic necessities of life. They are for low-income families with children, seniors, veterans and those who need access to health care. In 2002, the organization merged with the Kentucky Legal Services headquarters in Lexington to form Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, which serves 33 counties. Founded in 1967, the Northern Kentucky Legal Aid Society merged with Northeast Kentucky Legal Services in 1997 to serve 4 urban and 19 rural counties with offices in Covington, Morehead and Ashland.