WISH LIST $100: cleaning supplies for 25 Elder Buddies; $250: creation of a will and power of attorney for a homebound senior; $500: 2 digital cameras to photograph nursing home abuses, landlord negligence, and contractor fraud

Legal Counsel for the Elderly empowers, defends, and protects Washington’s elderly residents - the frail, poor, disabled and institutionalized, a majority of whom are low-income ethnic minorities and women. The idea is not simply to take care of legal matters but to address fundamental human needs: income, housing, long-term care, and personal autonomy. The Legal Advice Hotline ensures prompt guidance from a seasoned attorney, helping thousands of DC residents annually. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for the rights and dignity of residents in nursing homes and other facilities. The Homebound Elderly Project provides legal assistance to the elderly right where they live - even in the hospital. A Money Management Program matches volunteers with seniors who find it difficult to budget or simply pay routine bills. The Alternatives to Landlord/Tenant Court Project and its Elder Buddies volunteer de-cluttering program prevent evictions, displacements, and homelessness among low-income elder tenants. The test of a community is how it cares for its elderly. Surely this is a test we can pass.

Jan Allen May, Director 601 E Street NW Washington, DC 20049 202-434-2120 www.aarp.org/lce