Opening Statement From

CCLA's Executive Director

Dear Friends,

January ushers in a new year, bringing fresh opportunities to deepen our service to the community. As we embark on a new chapter in our journey to provide civil legal aid to those who need it most, I am writing to share an important update about Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida (CCLA).

This year Coast to Coast celebrates our 21st year! We reflect on the incredible journey that brings us to this milestone. CCLA has grown from a staff of 18 to almost 50. As we start this new chapter, CCLA will move out of the Legal Aid Service of Broward County building and into our own office space. We look forward to continuing our long-standing collaborations serving Ryan White eligible clients, our united effort to involve the private bar in our pro bono programs - Broward Lawyers Care and Collier Lawyers Care, and our new Broward County funded Eviction Prevention Program. We remain deeply grateful for the lessons learned and our alliance to serve the most vulnerable in our region.

As Coast to Coast moves forward, we are excited about the opportunity to increase our work, expand our reach, and adapt to the changing needs of the communities we serve. We look forward to sharing updates with you as we continue to grow, and hope you’ll remain by our side as steadfast supporters of Coast to Coast’s mission - to provide equal access to justice to underserved communities through quality and innovative free civil legal aid.

Thank you for your ongoing support and trust as we take this next step forward. Together, we will ensure that justice remains accessible to those who need it most and create a community where everyone has the legal resources to thrive.

With gratitude,

CCLA's Year In Review

Over 59,500 people have accessed

CCLA legal assistance since 2004.

Over 6,000 Broward residents accessed free legal assistance in 2024.

Over 3,000 new cases opened in 2024.

Over 1,720 cases open for seniors in 2024.

Over 3,200 individuals & their children helped with

family law issues in 2024.

Over 165 outreach events throughout the community.

This past year, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida remained committed to delivering direct legal services ensuring access to justice for the most vulnerable in our community.

While the numbers reflect an impressive story of achievement, we remain focused on finding even more effective ways to reach and serve our clients and community. Over the past year, our team at Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida has continued to expand our efforts to connect with and empower our community, leveraging virtual platforms to meet the evolving needs of those we serve. Through our social media channels, we hosted events that brought together experts to address critical issues facing our community. From tenant and homeowner rights to resources for survivors of domestic violence, an advance directive legal clinic with seniors, and guidance on accessing vital programs like Medicaid and food assistance, CCLA has worked tirelessly to ensure that critical information and support reach those who need it most.

These accomplishments are a testament to the remarkable collaboration between our dedicated team of attorneys, paralegals, intake staff, and administrative staff, our valued community partners, and supporters like you, whose generous contributions help advance access to justice in our community.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

This is a time to shed light on the devastating impact of this crime and to strengthen our commitment to supporting survivors. At Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida (CCLA), we are proud to stand at the forefront of this fight, providing critical legal services and advocacy to those who have endured unimaginable trauma. Our work, highlighted in this month’s newsletter, showcases the resilience of survivors and the vital role CCLA plays in helping them rebuild their lives. Together, we can raise awareness, inspire action, and continue to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by human trafficking.

Meet Our Client: Caleb

In the early 1990's Caleb was a victim of labor trafficking. His victimization included being labor trafficked, stabbed, kidnapped, and tortured. He came to CCLA seeking assistance expunging his criminal record which was a direct result of his victimization. His record impacted his life for almost 30 years. It prevented him from attending higher education programs, applying for certain jobs, obtaining housing, and greatly hindered his ability to move forward.

With the assistance of our human trafficking attorney, Victoria Sexton, Caleb and Victoria were able to review his full record, file a Petition to Expunge, and ultimately expunge his criminal record in full. Victoria worked in collaboration with Broward County Assistant State Attorney, Danielle Lennox. Together they ensured the process was trauma informed, and survivor focused.

After nearly 30 years Caleb is able to move on with his life and pursue his dream career. Caleb has a beautiful family now and is ready for his next chapter. We were proud to represent Caleb in taking this monumental step in his life.

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CCLA In The Community

CCLA attended the Broward Victim's Rights Coalition's Annual Holiday Luncheon celebrating victim advocates and supporting the Rebecca Lee Knox Fund. Rebecca was a young and talented staff attorney here at CCLA who represented victims of domestic violence for their Injunction cases. Rebecca’s legacy continues through the Rebecca Lee Knox Crime Victim Assistance Fund. The Fund, created and run by Broward Victim's Rights Coalition, helps victims and survivors of crime with financial assistance. Our attorneys and victim advocates depend on this fund for many of our clients when they are in desperate need of assistance due to their victimization. Each year, our unit has the pleasure of creating baskets to raffle off at the BVRC Annual Luncheon to help replenish the Fund and continue Rebecca’s work. We are honored to continue her legacy.

CCLA supervising attorney Jeffrey Hittleman presented on eviction defense at the Broward Homeless Continuum of Care Meeting to community organizations such as the Broward Sheriff's Office, Salvation Army, United Way of Broward, Broward County Housing Authority, Broward County Commissioners, and others.

CCLA staff are experts in their field and recognize the importance of being at the forefront of issues that impact our clients and community.

As an integral part of this community, we look forward to engaging with all community members and providers as the year continues. If you would like CCLA to attend an event, conduct an outreach, or you have a topic you'd like us to address in an episode of Legal Learning on CCLA's Facebook page and YouTube channel, please contact us at: CCLAInfo@legalaid.org.

Check out our Community Outreach page.

Community Outreach

Holiday Helper Thank You

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida gives our heartfelt thanks to Tori, Erika, Mackenzie, the Jamieson Family, the Santos Family, and everyone else who donated to CCLA's Holiday Helper project this year! Our client families were so appreciative of your thoughtful gifts and beautiful wrapping! You really made it a special holiday for them!