Community Legal Resources changes name

Since 1998 Community legal Resources (CLR) has been providing pro bono legal and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations that serve low-income individuals and communities. "By providing the expert help that they could not otherwise afford, we help the organizations survive and establish themselves as positive, stable forces within their communities," said Heidi Alcock, chief executive officer. Recent growth and a diversification of services has prompted CLR to change their name to something that more accurately reflects their capabilities and increased range. Community Legal Resources has grown from 4 to 17 employees, relocated their Detroit office, and added a Lansing branch. They also offer new ways to help their clients by providing technical, planning and educational assistance in addition to their legal services. This new, more comprehensive approach is best illustrated by one of the more visible projects that CLR has worked with, the Detroit Vacant Property Campaign. Their participation in the project went far beyond offering advice on legal issues and they eventually found themselves on the ground and in the neighborhoods. Through greater involvement they were successful in coming up with creative solutions to one of Detroit's most persistent problems. Clearly, they had outgrown their name. The new name, Michigan Community Resources, better represents its more diversified role and expanded geographic service area. It's also broad enough to cover any future changes and growth while still conveying the organization's purpose. Michigan Community Resources is still committed to its original mission of providing pro bono legal services but the addition of several new ways to assist nonprofits necessitated a name and logo change to communicate their new, expanded line of offerings. As a testament to their many successes, the Huffington Post Detroit honored Michigan Community Resources with the HuffPost Detroit Impact Award. They were one of only eleven that were chosen for 2011. Sarida Scott, chief program officer, said, "Michigan Community Resources now provide a more comprehensive array of services for navigating today's legal, regulatory and business complexities so that nonprofit organizations can continue to have a positive impact on their respective communities." Michigan Community Resources has been empowering Detroit and Michigan nonprofit community organizations by providing pro bono legal and professional services since 1998. Published: Thu, Feb 2, 2012