Conceived by AAJ past president Mark S. Mandell and further developed by past president Richard H. Middleton, Jr., the Keep Our Families Safe campaign is a national, comprehensive and volunteer public education program focusing on child and family rights, safety and health. The campaign includes the Consumer News For Families newspaper column, People's Law School Program, the Lawyers' Challenge for Children, the Bicycle Helmet Safety Program, Family Safety brochures and the Safety for Seniors Program.

The following are just some of the basic programs that make up AAJ's Keep Our Families Safe Campaign. Questions and comments about the following programs should be addressed to AAJ Media Relations at 800-424-2725 x369.

People's Law School (PLS) Programs

The public craves information about the law, the legal system, the courts, judges and lawyers. But unfortunately many Americans do not have a lawyer they can talk to about such issues. The People's Law School attempts to bridge this gap by providing access to real lawyers who can talk about practical topics and answer questions about subjects that are important in citizens' lives. An educated legal consumer is not only a better citizen, but also an ally against those trying to subvert the American legal system. Lawyer-instructors volunteer their time to conduct PLS classes. The student fee for the entire program, which usually consists of six to eight weekly classes, is $5.

Lawyers' Challenge For Children

We bear no greater responsibility than that which we owe to our children -- to raise them wisely and to protect them from harm. AAJ's Lawyers' Challenge for Children seeks to provide pro bono representation to some of the 500,000 children currently in foster care across the United States. With your help, we can give these kids back their childhoods.

The goal of the AAJ Auxiliary Bicycle Helmet Safety Program is to put bike helmets on the heads of thousands of children who, because their families cannot afford them, now ride without protective gear. AAJ and the AAJ Auxiliary is working to expand this program by teaming up with state trial lawyer associations nationwide, and in turn these associations are pairing with children's groups, police departments and other community organizations to make this program a success.

Safety For Seniors Program

The Safety for Seniors Program is being developed to provide information to the public to help protect against physical abuse, physical neglect and consumer scams perpetuated upon the elderly. It also seeks to educate seniors, families and physicians regarding the interface of medicine and law.

Make a Difference - Be a Part of AAJ's
Keep Our Families Safe Campaign!