October 18, 2010
STATE BAR ASSOCIATION’S FALL RADIO CAMPAIGN
RAISES AWARENESS OF RESOURCES TO HELP NEW YORKERS AVOID FORECLOSURE
Campaign Also Calls on Lawyers to Provide Pro Bono
Services to the Public; and Reaffirms the Need for Legal Representation
in Civil Matters
Continuing its efforts to improve access to justice for all citizens,
the New York State Bar Association today unveiled its latest statewide
radio announcement series designed to highlight the information and
resources it offers to help homeowners avoid mortgage foreclosure.
Narrated by State Bar President Stephen P. Younger of New York
(Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP), the ad campaign also calls on
lawyers to continue their extraordinary commitment to providing pro bono
services to disadvantaged New Yorkers. The final announcement emphasizes
the rising unmet need for legal representation in civil matters,
including housing, health care and debt relief.
“The downturn in our economy has put many homeowners in New
York at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure,” said President
Younger. “These radio ads provide valuable information to assist
our most vulnerable citizens by highlighting important resources
available through the State Bar’s website that can be used to save
a home, secure important public benefits, or seek relief from the
crushing burden of financial debt.”
A recent estimate according to the Mortgage Bankers Association
indicates that there are currently 80,000 or more homes in various
stages of foreclosure throughout New York.
The NCSA (Non-Commercial Sustaining Announcements) spots were
produced and distributed in coordination with the New York State
Broadcasters Association as part of an ongoing radio campaign designed
to educate citizens about a wide variety of important legal issues that
affect the lives of New Yorkers. The spots will run from October 18th
through November 14th. It is anticipated that the spots will air
several thousand times on radio stations across the state throughout the
four-week campaign.
The scripts for the three radio announcements are as
follows:
Mortgage Foreclosure: 30-seconds
This is Steve Younger, President of the New York State Bar
Association. In communities across our state, the American Dream of
owning a home is being jeopardized by the threat of foreclosure. If you
are facing the loss of your home, the State Bar can help. Our website
contains useful tips that can help you avoid foreclosure and save your
most important investment. Visit nysba.org for more
information.
Brought to you by the New York State Bar Association, in cooperation
with the New York State Broadcasters Association.
National Pro Bono Week: 30-seconds
This is Steve Younger, President of the New York State Bar
Association. Recent economic challenges have increased the demand for
legal services for the poor. Last year, State Bar members donated more
than a quarter of a million hours of pro bono services to New Yorkers in
need. But, we can do more. If you are a lawyer and want to learn how you
can help, visit nysba.org/probono. Please join us and do the public
good.
Brought to you by the New York State Bar Association, in cooperation
with the New York State Broadcasters Association.
The
Right to Counsel: 60-seconds
This is Steve Younger, President of the New York State Bar
Association. If you are accused of a crime, you have the right to be
represented by a court appointed lawyer, even if you can’t afford
one. However, did you know that if you are facing eviction from your
home or are on the verge of losing critical health benefits, you do not
have the right to a free lawyer in those cases? Having a lawyer could
mean the difference between keeping your home and being out on the
street.
Each year, New York lawyers provide thousands of hours of free legal
services to the poor. But, the unmet need for representation in civil
matters continues to rise. When basic human needs, such as shelter
and public benefits are at stake, every person deserves a lawyer. For
more information about your rights and for questions about free legal
services in areas like housing, health care and debt relief, visit our
website nysba.org. That’s
nysba.org.
Brought to you by the New York State Bar Association, in cooperation
with the New York State Broadcasters Association.
Below are links to the mp3 audio files of the three radio
announcements:
www.nysba.org/mortgagemp3
www.nysba.org/probonomp3
www.nysba.org/righttocounselmp3
Founded in 1876, the 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is
the official statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the
largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. The State
Bar’s programs and activities have continuously served the public
and improved the justice system for more than 130 years. For more
information, visit us at our Web site at www.nysba.org.
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