Our Mission - Ensuring the independence and
dignity of seniors by protecting their legal rights through education,
counseling, and advocacy.
We are located at 1970 Broadway in Uptown Oakland. Our
family friendly office is directly above the 19th street BART station
and across the street from a major AC Transit transfer point at
Broadway and 20th Streets. With easy access via the free "B"
Broadway Shuttle Bus, we are accessible from anywhere in the downtown
area.
History
Legal Assistance for Seniors was founded in 1976
by three women who re-entered the workforce with the goal of protecting
seniors legal rights.
Today, LAS protects the dignity and independence of over 8,000
seniors each year.
- The agency began as a storefront office in downtown Oakland, with
the mission of promoting the independence and dignity of
Alameda County seniors by providing legal
services to assure life’s most basic needs.
- LAS obtained its first federal funding in 1978,
and became incorporated as a private nonprofit organization in
1984.
- In 1988, recognizing the need to provide seniors with assistance in
understanding the complex rules governing Medicare and other health
insurance programs, the agency began offering the Health Insurance
Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) as part of its
services.
- In 2000, the agency expanded its service base to include limited
legal assistance to HICAP clients in Contra Costa County.
- In 2005, the agency began offering limited legal assistance to
HICAP clients in San Francisco County.
Legal Assistance for Seniors serves clients at locations throughout
Alameda County
Today, LAS is the only legal services program in Alameda and Contra
Costa Counties devoted exclusively to assisting the
elderly. Since its founding, LAS has served clients at
locations throughout Alameda County in addition to its office in
Oakland - meeting with groups at senior centers and housing
developments for educational presentations and individual assistance,
and making home visits to those who cannot travel.
We target our free services to the cities and neighborhoods with
high concentrations of seniors living in poverty, as well as to areas
where seniors in need may be isolated and invisible. LAS protects the
dignity and independence of over 8,000 seniors each year, as well as
their families and service providers.
Throughout our history, our mission and core services have remained
the same: to respond promptly to protect senior’s rights whenever needs
and conditions change, and at all times.
Who We Are
-
Board of Directors - Officers
Carla Bryant - President
Monica
Dell'Osso - Vice-President
Devina
E. Whitley - Treasurer
Joann
K. Sullivan - Secretary
Board of
Directors - Complete List
Legal Assistance for Seniors - Management
Francel
D'Andrea - Executive Director
Janet Van
Deusen - HICAP Program Manager
Lenora
Merlander - Chief Financial Officer
Kirsten
Voyles - Managing Attorney
