Mid-Shore Pro Bono, a nonprofit organization on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that provides free access to legal services to low income community members, has received a $15,000 grant from the Qlarant Foundation to support their child advocacy program.

The program is focused on providing legal representation for caregivers seeking third party custody of children impacted by the opioid crisis.  

“We are grateful for the generous support of the Qlarant Foundation,” said Sandy Brown, Mid-Shore Pro Bono, Executive Director.

“We applaud them for recognizing the legal custody battle over minors in toxic environments is truly a health crisis. These children are unseen and have no voice,” Brown said.

“Our program is committed to providing the means to protect children through legal custody that will give them access to education, healthcare and most importantly, a safe home. This grant will have a direct impact on local families struggling to safeguard the livelihood of these minor children across the Shore.”

“Mid-Shore Pro Bono is one of Qlarant Foundation’s new grantees for FY2021,” said Molly Burgoyne-Brian, Qlarant Foundation Chair.

“We are very pleased to support this organization’s efforts to provide “Kinship Care” to caregivers who are seeking legal custody of a minor child whose parents are unable to care for them as a result of opioid addiction as well as the Covid-19 epidemic,” she said. “These are especially trying times and we are appreciative of their efforts to ensure that these children get the care and support that they need.”

Mid-Shore was one of 16 organizations to be awarded a financial grant by the foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Qlarant, focused on improving access to health care and human services for individuals and communities.

Since 2007, the foundation has given over $5.5 million dollars to Maryland and District of Columbia non-profit organizations.    

Mid-Shore Pro Bono is dedicated to strengthening the communities of Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Dorchester, Talbot and Wicomico counties by ensuring equal access to civil justice through connecting low income individuals and families in need of civil legal help with volunteer attorneys and community resources.