Pisgah Legal Services, a regional nonprofit specializing in equipping those facing poverty with legal aid and the capacity to understand their rights, officially opened their Cashiers office space at the Bazaar Barn. The Cashiers office is located at the former antique shop housed in Church of the Good Shepherd’s Bazaar Barn.
The ribbon cutting signified a long partnership between Pisgah Legal Services and Church of the Good Shepherd. The event featured remarks by Reverend Rob Wood, Pisgah Regional Development Officer Leslie Manning, Pisgah Executive Director Jim Barrett, and staff attorney Patricia Caddell.
Wood said he’s been beyond proud of Pisgah Legal’s growth, and he’s thankful Church of the Good Shepherd has been able to provide an office space for Pisgah Legal.
“We’re really pleased to continue our partnership and we’re excited for what you all have going on here,” Wood said.
Manning thanked the Church for the gift of an office space and said they are all happy to have a location that allows them to more efficiently connect with Cashiers.
Barrett, who has led the organization since 1993 and worked with the organization since 1983, said the organization has “evolved from being just a legal aid program to an anti-poverty program.”
Barrett detailed the ways Pisgah Legal Services works to help those facing poverty. This includes helping others understand why low income people may need legal assistance. He said that on average, low income people need legal representation three times a year. Pisgah Legal helps people get health insurance, file their taxes, claim tax credits, which Barrett said a fourth of those eligible may be unaware of their eligibility, understand their rights as tenants and navigate evictions, escape domestic violence situations, and a wide range of other representative work as needed.
Caddell, a Cashiers native, then relayed some of her personal stories, that while challenging, are reminders of why she does the work she does. Caddell said that just weeks ago she helped a lady navigate a protective order from her abusive husband. That woman has since moved into her own place with custody of her three children and is filing for divorce after their separation.
Caddell and Manning will most frequently be the staff based in the Cashiers office. The Cashiers office is currently open by appointment only. They can be reached at 828-226-2588 or 800-489-6144.
While doing necessary legal advocacy work, Pisgah also relies on the support of their communities.
“My hope is the great people here can help us by volunteering and finding those with means to donate, so we can in turn help more of our fellow people,” Barrett said.
For more information on Pisgah Legal, they can be found at PisgahLegal.org.