LETTERS SUSAN R. HORN President and C.E.O. 2014 marked Hiscock Legal Aid Society’s 65th year serving people in Onondaga County and across Central New York. We began as most organizations do – humble, and as little more than an idea about what an organization like ours could offer the community. Frank H. Hiscock, Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals from 1916 -1926 left initial funding in a bequest to start Hiscock Legal Aid. What began as a small organization with just a few staff has grown and adapted considerably over the past six-and-a-half decades. Today, we have nearly 60 full-time staff members who represent clients facing a multitude of challenges. 2014, in particular, has been a year of tremendous change. With support from the local Community, Gifford and Allyn foundations, we’ve undergone an ambitious, agency-wide technology upgrade. The project has put new computers, cutting edge tablet technology and integrated, cloud-based data/ document/case management software system directly into the hands of everyone who works here. We’ve already begun leveraging this technology to streamline our processes and foster collaboration to better serve our clients. We’ve introduced “Justice For All” a new community engagement and fundraising initiative that has brought our mission to people in our community through presentations in our office and at local law firms, CPA firms, and the United Way to name just a few. Our end of year Justice For All fundraising breakfast raised more than $60,000. We have a brand new, completely redesigned home on the web. If you haven’t visited hiscocklegalaid. org, please do. Of course, some things never change. In 1949, when we first began, we had talented, passionate people to do this work every day. We had donors to believe in our mission. We had the community to believe in the transformative power of leveling the playing field and promoting justice for all. We still do. With 1 in 5 of the legal needs of low income people unmet today, we still need your support. Thank you. 4
5 Online Touch Home