We are fortunate at the DC Bar Foundation to have loyal donors and volunteers who make our mission possible through their generosity. This month we spoke with Tab Stewart, Senior Vice President of Financial Services Standards at the American Bankers Association. Tab sits on the Foundation's Board of Directors and joined our 77 Society earlier this month. Tab shares what supporting the Foundation means to him below:
You recently joined the Foundation's 77 Society. Why do you feel giving to the Foundation is essential, especially now?
Joining the 77 Society was an easy decision. As a board member, I have witnessed the tremendous impact that DCBF is making on the lives of DC residents. The provision of critical legal aid is a lifeline for low-income families facing civil legal problems, especially in the post-pandemic economic environment.
How has being involved with the Foundation as a member of our Board of Directors impacted you?
I have been involved with DCBF for three years and have served as a board member over the last eighteen months. During this period, I have been deeply impressed by the commitment of the DCBF staff and legal service providers to low-income residents of Washington, DC. The depth and breadth of DCBF's efforts are astounding, including helping families facing a wrongful eviction or foreclosure, people living with disabilities seeking access to Medicaid health insurance benefits, victims of domestic abuse seeking civil protection orders, neglected and abused children harmed by the opioid crisis, individuals from marginalized groups, as well as seniors who have fallen victim to financial exploitation.
What part of the Foundation's work excites you most?
I am most excited about the Landlord-Tenant Legal Assistance Network (LTLAN). LTLAN is critical to DCBF's efforts to curtail housing insecurity and homelessness.
What would you say to anybody considering joining you as a future member of the 77 Society?
If you choose to join the 77 Society, the impact of your donation will bring about meaningful and exponentially significant change to the lives of our less fortunate DC neighbors. There is no doubt that universal access to legal services gives hope to many and enables low-income DC residents to participate meaningfully and fully in society.