Sep. 16, 2011

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County hosted its sixth annual Just Neighbors celebration last Saturday, in the Chandelier Ballroom at Santa Anita Racetrack. This year, the organization honored excellence, leadership and community service in medicine, government and opinion journalism. Among those honored at this year’s event were pediatric surgeon Henri Ford for his humanitarian work in the aftermath of the devestating earthquake in Haiti, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and Los Angeles Times columnist Sandy Banks for providing an important voice for justice for poor and disenfranchised communities. Writer and performer Sandra Tsing Loh hosted the event, which also featured wine tasting, an exhibition of local artists and live entertainment by the Silverlance Band. About NLSLA: NLSLA’s primary mission is to combat the effects of poverty by accessing the judicial system to work toward lasting improvements in the lives of individuals and families and in the community. NLSLA helps people in need of legal representation or advice and education but who cannot afford it. NLSLA provides legal services that lead to improved health, expanded economic opportunities and neighborhood development