Lawyers are giving individuals. Think about the lawyers you know. How many of them serve on nonprofit boards in the towns where they live and also donate generously to nonprofit organizations? How many do pro bono work or volunteer time to Legal Aid, or Tulsa and Oklahoma Lawyers for Children? Without a doubt, lawyers give generously of their time, talents and resources across the charitable spectrum. They work diligently to transform lives through the law.

The Oklahoma Bar Foundation, as the charitable arm of the Oklahoma Bar Association, is in a unique position to help Oklahoma lawyers in their charitable efforts. The foundation focuses its energy on helping lawyers give back to the community, and serves as a charitable clearing house for many worthy organizations in promoting legal justice in Oklahoma. By supporting the OBF, the efforts of individual attorneys to transform lives through charitable legal causes are multiplied and maximized.

As the OBF works to help lawyers give to the public, it works at the same time to shine a bright light on the legal profession, which throughout its history has struggled with its public image, often ranking with used car salesmen as the least respected profession. The OBF supports issues and causes which reflect positively on lawyers in general, such as civil legal aid to Oklahoma’s poor and elderly; children’s legal aid, and child abuse and advocacy programs; family law programs and senior protection and education projects; law- related education for school children and the public; judicial education programs; crime victim programs; and special disaster relief aid. While the public benefits from these programs and services provided by OBF funding, lawyers benefit from the positive public impact of the charitable awards, and the satisfaction of helping to transform lives through the law.

OBF is now accepting applications for 2008 grant awards. Through funding provided in large part by Oklahoma lawyers, the lives of many Oklahomans across the state have been improved by OBF support. Here are stories of three Oklahoma citizens who benefited from programs supported by OBF in 2007.

TEEN COURT — COMANCHE COUNTY

Teen Court is an early intervention program for first-time youth offenders in Lawton. Every year, approximately 150 teens stand in front of a jury of their peers, as their cases are heard and sentences rendered in a courtroom setting. The program ensures teens are held accountable for their actions, while at the same time helps them develop positive attitudes and self-esteem, and educates them on the judicial process.

 In the spring of 2007, 14-year-old Mike went to Teen Court facing charges of possession of marijuana and assault and battery. After his case was presented, his peer jurors sentenced him to perform 50 hours of community service, write an essay on the effects of taking drugs and perform Teen Court jury duty. Mike completed his community service hours by helping build houses for homeless families at Habitat for Humanity, and he continued to volunteer regularly at Habitat for Humanity after completing his service. He served as a Teen Court juror, and his research on the effect of drugs made him acutely aware of the dangers it presents; he no longer uses illegal drugs. Mike has now set a career goal to learn the carpentry trade, and intends to enter the construction business when he graduates. Mike’s life was completely turned around by the opportunities that Teen Court gave him.

CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES INC. — CLEVELAND COUNTY

Matt came to CCFI in Norman seeking supervised visitation with his 4-year-old daughter Lilly, following a high-conflict divorce with Lilly’s mother, Julia. Julia had cut off all contact between Matt and Lilly after the divorce, moved to a town several hours away from where Matt lived, and quickly entered into a new relationship with another man. Julia told Lilly that Matt was a bad daddy and didn’t love her anymore, and attempted to replace Matt as Lilly’s father with her new husband. Lilly became very hurt and confused, and didn’t understand what was going on. Julia was caught up in her own emotional turmoil and didn’t realize how she was damaging her daughter.

Matt was ultimately awarded supervised visitation with Lilly through CCFI. He began the visitation with Lilly at CCFI after over a year without contact with her. They began to re-establish their relationship through weekly supervised visits. CCFI staff coached Matt on how to restore his bond with Lilly, and their relationship blossomed. After many laughter-filled supervised visits, the two moved on to supervised custody exchanges, and now enjoy spending time together every Sunday. With CCFI services in place, Lilly has the benefit of a safe, consistent and loving relationship with her father, free from the damaging effects of the turmoil between her parents.

FAMILY SHELTER OF SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE —LOVE COUNTY

Ruby, a cheerful woman in her 80s, had been married for 50 happy years when her first husband passed away. Shortly after his death, Ruby met her second husband, who quickly swept her off her feet and convinced her to marry him. After the marriage, he soon revealed himself to be a con man and abuser. He had all of Ruby’s assets put in his name and began to threaten Ruby and her family. When she first went to the family shelter, Ruby appeared very frail, but over time it became apparent that adequate resources and guidance was all Ruby needed. While staying in the safe, confidential location offered to her, the shelter staff was able to assist Ruby with obtaining a divorce, Social Security benefits, low income housing and necessities for her new home. Although Ruby’s husband at first attempted to terrorize everyone involved in assisting her, he has finally left everyone alone, and Ruby is living safely and happily on her own.

After her experience, Ruby became a strong advocate for other women in her position. Ruby accompanies the family shelter group to the Oklahoma capitol to argue for stronger laws and more funding for domestic violence and victim organizations. Ruby will celebrate her 85th birthday in June, and thanks to the family shelter staff, she will enjoy that birthday without the stress of her abusive ex-husband and the threat of domestic violence.

OBF IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING 2008 GRANT APPLICATIONS

You can help Oklahoma lawyers transform lives through the law and help broaden the reach of OBF grant funding by referring qualified programs to OBF. Funding goes to a wide variety of charitable programs benefiting Oklahomans, and the OBF looks forward to funding new programs in 2008 that will further enhance education and access to legal justice for all Oklahoma citizens. More than $7.5 million has been awarded to charitable programs by the OBF since its founding in 1946, with grants exceeding $880,000 awarded in 2007. Application information for OBF grants is available to download from the Oklahoma Bar Association Web site at www.okbar.org/obf — click on OBF forms and go to the grant application.