Pisgah Legal getting some room to grow
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Asheville Citizen-Times, June 21, 2008
by Leslie Boyd
ASHEVILLE – Robin Merrell considers herself fortunate to have a real office with four walls and a door. Many who work at Pisgah Legal Services aren’t as lucky.
In its 26 years at the historic Gudger House on Montford Avenue, the legal services nonprofit has expanded to handle some 9,000 cases a year. Its staff of 36, of whom 30 are based in the building, is housed in every available space, including the kitchen, attic, basement and even a former closet.
People must share desks, and volunteers and interns must be turned away because there is no place for them to work.
“We have to hold staff meetings in shifts or assemble on the back porch because there isn’t a room big enough for everybody,” said Executive Director Jim Barrett.
Pisgah Legal has found a new space and to pay for the building has kicked off a $3.9 million capital campaign, Justice for All. So far, Pisgah Legal has raised more than $2.5 million toward its goal, including $1.32 million from individual donors. The Janirve Foundation, Buncombe County, the Cannon Foundation and the Eckerd Family Foundation also have contributed.
Pisgah Legal serves people who can’t afford an attorney and who otherwise would be at the mercy of landlords, abusive spouses or a health care system that often excludes people in need.
Sharon Rees went to Pisgah Legal when the state tried to reduce services for her severely disabled daughter, Jennifer Watts. Rees cares for Watts at home, and since she is older than 21, she no longer qualifies to go to school, so she is home full time.
“I would never have been able to take care of her without those services,” Rees said. “I appealed the decision, but they turned me down again. They were determined to take it away from us.”
Rees went to Pisgah Legal Services, and attorney Mae Creadick filed another appeal.
“She was wonderful,” Rees said. “She really went after it, and we got everything back.”
Pisgah Legal has found a new 13,700-square-foot building at 62 Charlotte St. that will meet its needs and allow room for growth.
“Based on state standards, we should have 10,000 square feet with a staff our size,” Barrett said. “Our building now has 4,500.”
