The Legal Aid Foundation’s efforts to reduce homelessness in the area received a boost on Monday as the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians donated $10,000 to the organization’s fundraising campaign.
“This is an organization that provides crucial legal services to people in need, especially those who may find themselves homeless,” said Vincent Armenta, Tribal Chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, in a statement. “We’re proud to support Legal Aid Foundation.”
The Legal Aid Foundation provides free legal assistance to homeless and low-income members of the county, as well as for seniors and victims of domestic abuse. The donation will help support “outreach that includes helping people apply for benefits, housing and access to mental health and treatment services changes lives for the better,” said the Legal Aid Foundation’s Executive Director, Jason Dominguez, in a statement.
Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider, who also serves as vice chair of the Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness, applauded the tribe’s donation. “Legal Aid is a key component helping people out of homelessness and toward self-sufficiency,” Schneider said in a statement. “I am incredibly pleased to hear that the Chumash tribe has stepped up to support this vital nonprofit to the community as they have so many others.”