Neighborhood Legal Services Celebrates 50 Years of Justice, Honoring Majority Leader Crystal Peoples Stokes and Mayor Sean Ryan

Neighborhood Legal Services Celebrates 50 Years of Justice, Honoring Majority Leader Crystal Peoples‑Stokes and Mayor Sean Ryan

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) will be celebrating 50 years of service to the Western New York Community with a Gala on July 10th at the Powerhouse banquet facility.

During the Gala, NLS will present two major awards: the Champion Award, to recognize someone who has championed not only Neighborhood Legal Services as an organization but the people and communities that we serve; and the Impact Award, honoring an individual who has had a substantial impact on the lives of those we serve through direct service as a legal professional and as an agent of change.

The Champion Award will honor Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who has been an ardent supporter, protector, and advocate for NLS. Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes secured critical support for NLS from New York State at a pivotal moment in our history. “Majority Leader Stokes was the sole individual we considered for the Champion Award. She consistently demonstrates exemplary leadership and works tirelessly for the good of her community, leaving a meaningful impact on all of us,” said Bill O’Connell, Executive Director of Neighborhood Legal Services. Peoples-Stokes is the first-ever recipient of the Neighborhood Legal Services Champion Award.

Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan will also be honored at the Gala with the Impact Award. A former NLS Staff Attorney, Mayor Ryan’s commitment to addressing the housing shortage has led to innovative solutions that have influenced the work of NLS. “As our State Senator, Mayor Ryan understood the root causes of housing instability. In addition to helping legal services agencies across New York State secure funding for eviction defense work, he was also successful in bringing millions of dollars to Western New York to address the root causes of these challenges, a mission he continues to prioritize as mayor,” said Bill O’Connell.

“We are excited to recognize both leaders for their partnership with NLS and their effect on our community,” O’Connell added.

NLS will also honor four former employees—Lauren Breen, former Executive Director; Penny Selmonsky, former Supervising Attorney for Public Benefits; John Zonitch, former Supervising Attorney for the Batavia Office; and Jim Morrissey, former Executive Director. They will each receive the Legacy Award for their long, distinguished service and lasting contributions to Neighborhood Legal Services.

Additionally, Janice Jackson, Administrative Assistant, and Grace Andriette, Senior Assistant Supervising Housing Attorney and former Interim Executive Director, will receive the Executive Director Award for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to NLS. Combined, Jackson and Andriette represent over 50 years of service to Neighborhood Legal Services and together represent the hard work and dedication of every employee in our 50-year history.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available and can be purchased at NLS.org.

About Neighborhood Legal Services In 1965, the Legal Aid Services Corporation’s Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo opened four neighborhood-based offices to provide free legal services. In 1975, those four local offices separated from the Legal Aid Bureau and formed Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. (NLS) with a mission to provide free civil legal services to members of our community in Erie County.

Today, NLS is the largest provider of free civil legal services in our five-county service area: Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties. We represent clients facing eviction or food insecurity; veterans and survivors of domestic violence; and individuals with disabilities who are unable to work or seeking to reenter the workforce. Clients served by NLS include low-income working and unemployed individuals, homeowners and renters, veterans, and families with children. We have one office in Batavia, Niagara Falls, and Lockport, and two in downtown Buffalo.

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