October is an exciting month for us as we celebrate the incredible work of our pro bono team! Since its initial launch with a grant from Legal Services Corporation, our Pro Bono program has grown to hundreds of attorneys, paralegals, law students, and volunteers, who served over 700 clients and contributed 3,942 hours of service in 2022. | |
“Actively doing pro bono work has enabled me to advocate for individuals [who] normally wouldn’t be able to afford legal services. I’m driven to engage in pro bono work because I see it as both my duty as an attorney and my obligation as a member of my community.” MAP Pro Bono Attorney Fatmeh T. Cheaib, Associate Attorney with Bodman PLC, shared.
Our Pro Bono program has allowed us to broaden our scope of services in all case areas, with significant growth in expungement work. In 2022, MAP’s Expungement Project referred 328 cases to pro bono attorneys and served over 400 clients at seven expungement fairs in partnership with law firms, courts, and local organizations. Through our Legal Navigator Program, non-attorney volunteers assist clients through the burdensome tasks of applying for expungement to increase the number of people who apply for and receive expungements.
We are grateful to our pro bono attorneys, without whom these achievements would not have been possible! If you are not yet involved in pro bono work, we invite you to learn more about our program and how you can participate in this rewarding opportunity by visiting our website.
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month | Our team of dedicated legal professionals proudly works to address critical legal issues for survivors as they take steps toward healing and building stable lives. | |
Last year, we served survivors in a wide array of case types. These included family cases such as divorce, child custody, and personal protection orders, and others such as housing, public benefits, VAWA, and U Visa petitions–to ensure survivors could permanently escape their abusers and secure financial independence. Across all MAP programs, we handled 947 cases, serving 2,376 individuals and their family members.
Observing a gap in legal services for survivors of domestic violence who have a tribal affiliation, the Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project (CVLAP) launched its Tribal Survivors Project in Spring of 2022. This project is a partnership with Uniting Three Fires Against Violence and is currently working to provide free legal assistance for the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. Through this project, Native American survivors can access free, culturally competent, civil legal assistance in contested family matters in state and tribal courts. We are proud to share that the Tribal Survivor Project recently received a three-year $750,000 grant from the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to expand programming and provide critical legal representation to even more survivors.
If you or a loved one is a survivor in need of legal services, visit our website. Learn more about CVLAP and the Tribal Survivors Project here.
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FLS Honored at Bell's Brewery Annual Latinx Celebration!
FLS joined Bell's Brewery for their 3rd annual Brillosa event to celebrate Latinx culture and recognize the contributions of Michigan's immigrant and migrant farmworkers.
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The Michigan Self-Help Center Alliance was launched at a statewide convening at the Hall of Justice in Lansing
The new Michigan Self-Help Center Alliance is a professional network of Michigan's self-help centers working to enhance and expand access to self-help in Michigan. The Alliance is hosted by MLH and is supported by the Michigan Supreme Court Justice for All Commission. The Alliance website will serve as a collaborative hub offering resources for the general public and self-help center staff. Nora Ryan, MLH Supervising Attorney, and Charlie Campbell, MLH Self Help Center Coordinator, spoke at the convening for the official launch.
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MAP launches new Medical-Legal Partnership with the Ypsilanti Health Center
With a grant from U-M Health Community Health Services, MAP will partner with the Ypsilanti Health Center to promote positive health outcomes in Washtenaw County through legal intervention.
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ICYMI: MAP's 2022 Annual Report!
MAP has rapidly expanded in recent years, launching new projects to meet evolving community needs. We're proud to share our 2022 Annual Report to showcase our growth and demonstrate our steadfast commitment to access to justice.
Read the full report
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Interested in Legal Aid Work?
Here are some ways you can make a difference!
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Join Our Team
We are seeking new team members who share our passion for providing access to justice to those who need it most. Visit our employment page for full postings.
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Volunteer
MAP welcomes volunteer attorneys in each of our counties and programs. To volunteer, please complete our Pro Bono Attorney Registration Form.
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Give
Through your contributions, we can provide safety and security to thousands of Michigan families. Visit the link below to make a non-attorney donation, or click here to make an attorney donation.
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Please help us spread the word about these upcoming community events and resources! | |
2023 Washtenaw Family Law Assistance Clinics | |
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Join us for free legal advice for low income unrepresented individuals on issues such as divorce, child custody, personal protection orders (PPO), and more.
Clinic is first come first serve until full.
Find more information here
Are you a family law attorney interested in volunteering? Register here
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Washtenaw County Expungement Fair | |
Saturday, October 28, 2023 - 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Get a clean slate at our upcoming Washtenaw County Expungement Fair at the Learning Resource Center on October 28th.
Hosted in partnership with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office, Washtenaw County Public Defenders, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department, and Michigan Works! Southeast.
Register here
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Seeking Attorney Volunteers - Washtenaw County Expungement Fair | |
Saturday, October 28, 2023 - 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Help your community get a clean slate! We are seeking volunteers for our upcoming Washtenaw County Expungement Fair at the Learning Resource Center on October 28th.
Hosted in partnership with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office, Washtenaw County Public Defenders, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department, and Michigan Works! Southeast.
Register here
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Have you ever owed a debt and had money taken from your bank account? Please complete MPLP's survey to help change debt collection practices in Michigan! | |
Michigan Poverty Law Program, is going to a legislative hearing about debt collection practices in Michigan. They want to hear from people in Michigan who have been impacted by garnishment-- having your car taken or money taken from your bank account because you owed money from a Michigan court case. If you have been in this situation, answering this form will help MPLP share the real-life impact of garnishment with Michigan's legislature.
Take the survey
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Scams rob Michigan elders of millions, but health providers and nonprofits offer help
"Being scammed has a wide range of consequences, from being out a couple hundred dollars to finding yourself being evicted from the home that you have owned for over 50 years," - CVLAP Managing Attorney Emily Miller.
Read more
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New policy makes Michigan a more welcoming — and healthy — place for immigrants
“Many young adults we serve are victims of child abuse and neglect who are on a lawful path towards citizenship but are currently unable to access health care benefits. They also face long wait times when seeking a work permit, which makes earning income to cover the cost of health care a challenge." - Elly Jordan, MIRC Supervising Attorney
Read more
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Michigan dairy farm housing: ‘Invisible’ workers suffer, state looks other way
Anna Hill Galendez, staff attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, said many dairy workers have told her they feel their employers value cows more than workers.
Read more
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