Dear colleague,

During the COVID-19 crisis, New Yorkers are counting on Volunteers of Legal Service for support.

VOLS has nimbly responded to the crisis across all our legal projects. We have relaunched our Unemployed Workers Project and created a COVID-19 Frontline & Healthcare Workers Initiative. And I am proud to support a new statewide pro bono recovery taskforce through the New York State Bar Association.

Your donation to VOLS makes more than double the impact.

Between today and #GivingTuesdayNow on May 5, the first $5,000 in donations to the VOLS' emergency response effort will be matched by FJC - A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds, with an additional $2,500 match by Brooklyn Community Foundation. Will you support VOLS and help us to access these critical funds? Click here to donate.

In this week's newsletter, read about important updates and resources from VOLS, including:

Thank you for being a VOLS partner and supporter. New Yorkers know how to rally together during our most challenging times. We are proud to do so with you by our side.

Best,

Marcia Levy

Executive Director

Volunteers of Legal Service

p.s. Did you complete the 2020 Census? There is still time: click here.

When "New York on Pause" policies were first enacted, low-wage workers and small businesses were hit hard. VOLS immediately re-launched our Unemployed Workers Project, first created in response to the 2008 financial crisis to advise and assist on unemployment claims and appeals. Our new hotline has proven critical to recently displaced workers, one of whom recently reported to a VOLS staff member:

"This is the first time I have spoken to a live person in weeks, after calling many different agencies for support."

The VOLS Unemployed Workers Project is speaking with clients who are in isolation and face unprecedented barriers to navigating the unemployment insurance system. Our role is to provide answers to low-wage workers about unemployment insurance eligibility, the claim filing process and newly enacted laws and regulations. Secondly, we will pair claimants up with a volunteer if and when they may have a hearing. The immediate need is for answers to questions about complex and fast-changing rules and resources. VOLS is part of the New York Unemployment Insurance Coalition and will continue to address new unemployment issues as they emerge. For more information, visit https://volsprobono.org/projects/unemployed-workers/ or call our Unemployed Workers Hotline at (347) 521-5720.

VOLS is keeping track of public and private resources so that New Yorkers whose health, social, or economic well-being is affected by the COVID-19 crisis can access legal support. We have published and will continue to update a special resource guide on our website:

New Yorkers in legal need can contact VOLS for support through our Microenterprise Project, Elderly Project and Veterans Initiative, Immigration Project, Incarcerated Mothers Law Project, Children's Project, and our new Unemployed Workers Project:

And click below to access special VOLS resource guides for small businesses, seniors, older veterans, and immigration clients:

VOLS clients are at the forefront of those impacted by COVID-19. Every day we are evaluating how we and our partners – in the legal community and at neighborhood-based groups – can best respond to the public health, social, and economic crisis: