The Volunteer Lawyer Program of Island County last week issued “Letters of Appreciation” to nine attorneys who provided legal services at no cost to low-income individuals and families during the first half of 2012.

Those attorneys are Sara Andrews, Jacob Cohen, Mary Conte, Margaret Delp, Kenneth Manni, Nathan Manni, Anna Thompson, Matthew Walker and Mary Welch.

Founded in 2002, the Volunteer Lawyer Program assists low‐income Island County residents through a panel of local attorneys who volunteer their time to provide free civil legal help.

Delp, an attorney in Langley and coordinator of the Volunteer Lawyer Program, said, “Civil legal aid is a critical service in our community, particularly during these difficult economic times. These services help victims of domestic abuse to protect themselves and their children from violence; assist low‐income renters facing eviction and homelessness; counsel seniors and terminally ill individuals needing estate planning advice.”

In the past year, VLP volunteers have assisted 40 low‐income individuals and families, including child victims of sexual assault, teenage rape survivors, victims of domestic violence, individuals facing eviction, families going through divorce, and many more legal issues. The program gives top priority to cases in which children are at risk of harm.

“This service was life changing for me. I could not have done it on my own,” said a VLP client, who obtained a protection order for herself and her daughter when her husband, who suffered from mental illness, became violent and dangerous, according to a news release from the Volunteer Lawyer Program.