News Releases

February 03, 2010

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Feb. 3, 2010) – Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C has named Our House, a comprehensive program for the working homeless in Little Rock, as the firm’s 2010 Take Time To Give primary charity. Our House will receive a $25,000 donation, pro bono legal services and volunteer hours from the attorneys and staff of Mitchell Williams throughout the year.

Mitchell Williams’ Take Time To Give program is the firm’s community service initiative that provides monetary and volunteer support to civic and charitable organizations throughout Arkansas and the region. The program has supported more than 150 organizations since its formal launch in 2004 – more than 50 in 2009 alone.

Our House provides the state’s working homeless, including families, children and adults, with food, shelter, clothing and free child care, in addition to a comprehensive job training program to transition people from homelessness into the workforce and permanent, independent housing.

“During this economic time, there are continuing challenges facing many of our neighbors who struggle to make ends meet,” said Harry Hamlin, Mitchell Williams’ managing director. “Our House doesn’t just provide a place to sleep overnight, it provides a means for families and individuals to reclaim their lives and become successful contributors to the community. The crucial services they provide to Arkansas families made Our House an obvious choice for our Take Time To Give efforts this year.”

As part of the 2010 Take Time To Give charity announcement, Mitchell Williams is also hosting a new website dedicated to statewide nonprofits. The new site – www.TakeTimeToGive.com – will launch Feb. 12 and will feature news and events of the many nonprofits in Arkansas and the region. Visitors can learn about upcoming events on the interactive calendar and read the latest nonprofit advocacy initiatives and headlines in the News section. Additionally, nonprofits that are interested in partnering with Mitchell Williams can apply online for sponsorships and support.

Along with the new website, Mitchell Williams will also provide daily news updates and volunteer opportunities through the firm’s new Twitter account, http://twitter.com/taketimetogive.

“We are excited about this next phase of our Take Time To Give program,” said Hamlin. It’s not just about Mitchell Williams’ charitable citizenship and what we are doing anymore – it’s about taking it to the next level to meet our corporate social responsibility to our communities.”

Our House staff, volunteers and board members, along with representatives from many of the 150 Arkansas nonprofits the law firm has supported over the last five years, will attend an event on Feb. 11 at the Clinton Presidential Library to help celebrate the launch of the 2010 Take Time To Give program.

“We are honored to have been chosen by Mitchell Williams as this year’s Take Time To Give beneficiary,” said Georgia Mjartan, executive director of Our House. “The support of their lawyers and staff is remarkable and comes at such a crucial time.  The need is so great right now.  Every day, we have to turn families and children away because we are out of room in the shelter.  This is a tough time for everyone, including corporate donors.  The fact that Mitchell Williams is increasing their giving at a time like this is just tremendous. Their generosity and desire to serve others makes a real and lasting difference in the lives of thousands of working Arkansans.  We are so thankful for their commitment to the community and the state.”

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About Mitchell Williams

Providing strategic counsel on a variety of sophisticated legal matters since 1954, Mitchell Williams combines decades of diverse professional experience with extensive relationships to offer clients across the United States the most comprehensive services possible. Today, the firm employs 75 attorneys from four offices in Arkansas, Texas and New York. For more information, visit www.MitchellWilliamsLaw.com.

About Our House

Our House operates an 80-bed shelter, two “family houses” providing transitional housing for 13 homeless households, an education and job training center, a free childcare center, after-school and summer youth development programs and a feeding program that serves 77,000 meals per year. Our House also offers additional free services that help people transform their lives. Services include parenting classes, addiction recovery groups, counseling, and job search assistance. Visit www.ourhouseshelter.org to learn more.

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