Community Legal Aid

What is Community Legal Aid?

Somewhere in our community...

• A family is facing homelessness.
• A senior is living in fear of predatory collectors.
• A child with disabilities is struggling to stay in school.
• A battered woman is stuck in a cycle of violence.
• A veteran is going hungry.

These stories represent our clients, and they happen every day in our community. Most often, these situations arise because our poor populations don't know about our can't get access to the resources they need.

Through Community Legal Aid, these individuals can overcome the chaos brought on by legal troubles. They regain control of and stabilize their lives by securing the benefits they've earned, reducing violence and discrimination, and preserving their dignity and independence.

Our work gives strength and commitment to America's promise of justice for all.

Our Vision

We believe that all individuals, including those who are impoverished, should have the opportunity to control, improve, and enrich their lives and community.

Our Mission

Through legal advocacy, we transform the lives of those in poverty to increase opportunities, fairness, and stability, for a stronger community and justice for all.

Our Values

Diversity: We embrace individuals of diverse cultural, social, and/or economic backgrounds.

Empathy: We take the time to have a deeper understanding of our clients' and team members' experiences, opinions, and personal feelings.

Justice: We pursue the fight for justice for all.

Leadership: We use our values and skills to drive the fight for justice within our communities and staff.

Professionalism: We have an atmosphere of professional behavior with an emphasis on continuous education, internally and externally.

Respect: We demonstrate honesty and integrity while recognizing everyone's inherent dignity.

Transformation: We empower clients to be self-directed so that they feel confident in the face of life's obstacles. In addition, we empower each other to feel collaborative in our clients' choice and solutions through open dialogue and communication.

Services We Offer

• Screening for those seeking legal assistance
• Legal information, advice, and representation for qualifying clients
• Community education on legal issues
• Public advocacy and awareness of the needs of low-income individuals and families
• Continuing legal education workshops and trainings for attorneys, social workers, and other collaborative partners
• Partnership with and training for community organizations who work with the poor so that they may better serve their clients

Our Priorities

Community Legal Aid has several key priorities that we strive to achieve in all we do. These areas of need serve as beacons for our work with clients, in the community, and through advocacy.

Supporting Low-income Families and Special Populations

Central to our work is providing support for low-income individuals and families, as well as for special, vulnerable populations, including the elderly, those with language, cultural, or educational barriers, those with disabilities, and veterans.

Preserving the Home

We prioritize cases that support access to affordable and safe housing, both public and private.

Maintaining Economic Stability

Families and individuals must be economically viable in order to survive. To this end, we work toward prevention of unemployment, resolution to issues with the IRS, protection from predatory lending and unfair sales practices, and income stability for those disabled or otherwise unable to obtain employment.

Ensuring Safety & Health

We prioritize cases that support safety from domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. Additionally, we work to preserve health for individuals and communities through individual representation and policy advocacy.

Protecting Access to Justice

Community Legal Aid places a high priority on activities designed to involve the entire community in ensuring access to justice. We place special attention on pro bono services of the private bar, education of organizations serving low-income clients, advocacy at regional and national levels on our priorities, and responding to the needs of the local communities we serve.