The Walmart Foundation has awarded a grant of $25,000 to Virginia Legal Aid Society for the Strengthening Families with Children program.

The funds will enable VLAS to provide civil legal aid to vulnerable families in south-central Virginia and the Western Tidewater area in the coming year.

Most commonly, those experiencing economic hardship face a need for legal advice and representation related to family matters, housing and income issues. With support from the Walmart Foundation, VLAS has been able to meet this basic need, assist families in order to overcome difficult challenges and help create a more stable future, officials said in making the announcement.

Each year thousands of people find themselves in need of assistance to navigate the legal system in matters such as housing, employment, divorce, special education services, disability rights, unlawful civil suits, predatory lending and unlawful collections.

VLAS provides vital legal assistance to those people through the generosity of organizations like the Walmart Foundation, officials stated.