Site updated: 6 / 15 / 99
Copyright 1999.
Rural Law Center
of New York, Inc.

Our Mission

THE RURAL LAW CENTER OF NEW YORK, INC. IS DEDICATED TO:

• Addressing the legal issues unique to low-income, rural New Yorkers.
• Providing access to justice for youth and seniors in our 44 rural counties.
• Undertaking educational programs for individuals and service providers.
• Offering trainings for rural attorneys who, in turn, give pro bono representation.
• Working on policy-based advocacy to influence rural impact legislation.
• Acting as a facilitator in rural coalition building.

The Rural Law Center of New York, Inc. is a not-for-profit legal assistance organization which was incorporated in 1996 with the generous support of the IOLA (Interest on Lawyer Accounts) Fund and the New York State Bar Foundation. The Rural Law Center of New York, Inc. is committed to focusing attention through our legal system and government institutions on the needs of low-income, rural New Yorkers.

The Rural Law Center was established to meet a pressing need recognized by civil legal services attorneys practicing in New York's rural regions. Specifically, that is the need to address legal issues which are characteristic of rural poverty by using common strategies, such as representing clients in impact cases, increasing public awareness and informing policy makers of the needs of rural, low-income New Yorkers.

BEHIND THE SCENERY

Many of us, when we think of rural New York, immediately think of the breathtaking mountains, lakes, woodlands and parks. In 44 of the state's 62 counties, mountains, rivers, farms and fields are the predominant visual landscape. But, while rural New York occupies the overwhelming portion of the state's land mass, it is home to only a small fraction of the population.

In isolated rural regions, many find themselves in economically precarious situations. In fact, some rural upstate counties have higher proportions of their populations living in poverty than New York's urban areas.

It is no surprise that most government efforts and private policy initiatives are directed toward the needs of the majority, the urban poor. While they aim to address pressing concerns for those in need, these initiatives neglect the obstacles that are unique to the rural poor. In order to assist families, children and the elderly living in New York's rural areas, significant efforts must be focused on the problems they face and the resources their communities can offer.