Administer Justice receives service award

Submitted by Administer Justice

Administer Justice received the Les Lempke Award for community service at the Club Guadalupano 35th annual Latino Awards Banquet April 28. The award recognizes significant contributions to the local Hispanic community.

Club Guadalupano was formed in 1952 as an extension of St. Joseph Catholic Church as a Hispanic civic, social and cultural organization. The organization annually awards scholarships to outstanding high school seniors in addition to presenting two community service awards.

Federal Judge Manuel Barbosa presented the award to Bruce Strom, executive director of Administer Justice, before a packed banquet hall of community leaders at the Holiday Inn in Elgin.

Judge Barbosa told those gathered, “In a nation of laws, the judicial system is of paramount importance in procuring ‘the blessings of liberty’ for all. Administer Justice, under the capable and selfless leadership of attorney Bruce Strom, has devoted itself to making the system, and thereby justice, available to many in our community who may otherwise be deprived.”

Administer Justice provides free civil legal assistance to thousands of area residents every year through a comprehensive program of educational outreach, legal assistance, government intervention and conflict resolution services.

Headquartered in Elgin, the organization served nearly 6,200 individuals in 2011 with the help of more than 700 volunteer who donated more than 10,000 hours.

“Administer Justice is honored to receive the Les Lemke Memorial Award for Community Service. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the Latino community with Club Guadalupano,” Strom said.

To learn more about how you can make a difference in the fight for justice for all, call (847) 844-1100 or visit www.administerjustice.org.