Thirty attorneys have provided 662 hours of pro bono service for the County program Home for Generations – initiated by the County Treasurer Catherine McClary and Probate Judge Julia Owdziej – helping families gain title to their home, returning $1.3 of property wealth. Last week, they received the prestigious Darrow-Harris Award from the Washtenaw County Bar Association and Legal Services of South Central Michigan for their exemplary public service. Chair of the County Board of Commissioners, Sue Shink, was present at the Award ceremony.
Home for Generations assists families living in inherited homes or homes purchased informally during segregation and discriminatory lending. Attorneys and family mediators work pro bono to provide targeted assistance to clear title, establish ownership and create property wealth for families, often for the first time. This exceptional partnership stabilizes housing options; preserves homeownership; and has transferred, to date, over $1.3 million in wealth to families in Washtenaw County.
Catherine McClary, Washtenaw County Treasurer, and Teresa Killeen on behalf of presiding Probate Judge Julia Owdziej, accepted the prestigious Darrow-Harris Award for the Home for Generations program. The award recognizes the generous contributions of 30 local attorneys and family mediators for their extraordinary pro bono work. The Award was presented at the annual Washtenaw County Bench-Bar conference and luncheon on Friday, May 6, 2022. The attorneys provided 662 hours of pro bono service for Home for Generations.