Health and Wellness Press Release

Felecia Z. Pettway

Development Director

Phone: +1 (334) 223-0232

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2020

LSA and Rural Health in partnership with Salute Selma will hold its second Economic Empowerment and Health and Wellness Expo at the Bridge Crossing Jubilee.

MONTGOMERY - LSA and Rural Health, both statewide nonprofit agencies, have partnered with organizations across the state, region, and country to offer free legal services, financial alternatives, and health and wellness screenings to the public, during the Annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee in Selma, AL February 29, 2020.

The Economic Empowerment Village and Health & Wellness Expo will take place on February 29 from 10 AM to 3 PM and will include nearly 20 vendors. Participating organizations include: Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Hope Credit Union, Rural Health Medical Program Inc., AIDS Alabama, YMCA, Vaughn Regional Medical Center, NAACP State Office, The Census,

Alabama Hard to Count, The Black Belt Foundation, The Leadership Conference, Cricket Wireless, and LSA’s Rural Economic Improvement Project (REIP). Services offered will include voting rights restoration, help with court fines and fees, wage garnishments, bankruptcies, and alternatives to payday lending for auto and mortgages. Additional activities: dance and aerobics,

onsite diabetes screening, as well as No Contract Phone services.

LSA Director of Development Felecia Pettway, who spearheaded the event with Rural Health,

stated the opportunity to be showcased at this year’s Jubilee will help in visibility. “It is very critical to the communities we serve in the Black Belt, the state of Alabama, and the Country that the public is aware of the many services we offer. Legal Services Alabama is the only law firm in the state offering free legal services in all 67 counties, yet we receive no state funding,” Pettway said. “This is the second year we have embarked upon this medical/legal partnership, and it is our hope that it is the beginning of a relationship that addresses the needs of our rural and underserved communities. Daily, we are faced with people who go to court not represented, when they could’ve been represented by Legal Services. We often see people with medical issues that could’ve gone to Rural Health to get assistance. Public awareness will make a very large impact on our service area.” Providing comprehensive, high-quality primary and preventive healthcare to the medically underserved communities of Dallas Marengo, Perry, Monroe, and Wilcox counties, Rural Health Medical Program Inc., serves as a beacon of hope to all residents of the Black Belt.

Rural Health CEO Keshee Dozier Smith stated: “Collaboration across nonprofits whether civic direct service and/or healthcare are essential to the overall health and sustainability of every community,” she said. “As nonprofit organizations coming together for the common goals of displaying our services in a common area better positions each of us to reach the individuals that need our services most in our communities.” Elizabeth A. Hollie, Managing Attorney in LSA’s Selma Office, stated the event is important to Selma and all who attend the Jubilee.

“The Jubilee celebration brings visitors from other counties and other states to learn about Selma’s heritage and progress. The Expo itself gives visibility to numerous organizations in one spot. Those attending the Jubilee can receive information from healthcare providers to learn about their services and how to become healthier,” Hollie said. “This event is especially important for the Legal Services Alabama Selma Office. We have an opportunity to reach a greater number of potential clients by giving them information on what services we provide at no cost to those who qualify. This will also be a chance to speak to an attorney at the event. We will have attorneys from LSA’s Selma and Montgomery offices assisting. It is important that we empower individuals by providing them the information and the tools needed to become stable economically.”

The event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. next to the George Evans Convention Center, located at 2 Lawrence Street in Selma. For more information about the Village and Expo, please contact Felecia Pettway at: fpettway@alsp.org.