MAP Hosts Roundtable on the Importance of Free Legal Aid | |
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MAP and Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM) proudly co-hosted a roundtable discussion on the importance of free legal aid with the Michigan State Bar and Michigan State Bar Foundation.
The group addressed the need for legal services from various stakeholder perspectives, discussing ways to increase access to justice and educate community members on legal aid options. MAP client and community members shared their stories, recounting how legal services impacted their lives.
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The group heard from legal service providers and other advocates, including U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell and Jamie Raskin, to exchange insight on the current legal aid resources available to Southeast Michigan residents and ideas for serving more clients in need. MAP Executive Director, Ann Routt, shared the following about the discussion: | |
"Within the larger conversation on achieving access to justice for low-income Michiganders, discussions on legal aid that center client voices are key to defining how legal service providers, legislators, judges, and other community stakeholders can best meet the needs of those we serve." | | |
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MAP Board President and Washtenaw County Public Defender Delphia Simpson, Michigan State Bar Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Bentley, State Bar of Michigan President James Heath, Hon. Libby Hines, the former Chief Judge of the 15th Judicial District Court, LSC Emerging Leader Aidan Sova, Ford Motor Company’s Jane Regan, and Honigman’s Khalilah Spencer, also attended the roundtable. | |
We are grateful to all who attended this meaningful conversation promoting increased access to justice! | |
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Expands to a New Detroit Office! | |
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We’re excited to announce that Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) has opened a new Detroit office in the Wellness Plan building in New Center!
Since its inception in 2008, MIRC has grown tremendously, launching new innovative programs to serve additional client communities in need.
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Observing significant gaps in immigration legal services delivery, MIRC began offering services in Detroit in 2018 with its Detroit Front Door Program. These included the need for a staffed intake system that would allow those seeking immigration legal services to consistently reach an advocate for screening and case acceptance or referrals, a network of pro bono attorneys willing to take on immigration cases, and the availability of a free call from immigration detention to a legal services provider. However, due to a lack of resources at the time, this program was staffed out of Ypsilanti. Nevertheless, MIRC’s team worked persistently to address these gaps and improve legal services for immigrants in Detroit and launched its Immigration Court Helpdesk in 2021. | | |
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The Helpdesk provides self-help services, including legal information, resources, and referrals, to immigrants facing arduous deportation proceedings–which often span months or years–on their own. As many as 5,000 Michiganders currently face deportation proceedings in Detroit courts and do not have a right to a court-appointed lawyer. | |
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The Helpdesk has begun to see its first wins for self-represented applicants, serving over 2,350 self-represented individuals in 2022. Now with a local office, MIRC staff can transition to greater in-person intake to build better rapport with clients and assist even more individuals.
For more updates on MIRC’s impactful work serving immigrant communities of Michigan, follow MIRC on social media or visit their website.
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Michigan Elder Justice Initiative (MEJI) Featured in The Measure of Our Age--Navigating Care, Safety, Money, and Meaning Later in Life
M.T. Connolly's new book, "The Measure of Our Age," discusses MEJI and CVLAP's work advocating for long-term care consumers, guardianship reform, and elder abuse.
“Older people and their families navigate legal issues—from housing to benefits, from wills to powers of attorney. For those who can afford a lawyer, there are private elder law attorneys. For those who can’t there are legal services attorneys, like [Alison Hirschel, MEJI Director]. The Older Americans Act envisions that ombudsmen and elder law attorneys work closely together. That doesn’t happen as often as it should. But Alison was determined to provide integrated advocacy through MEJI."
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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! | |
New Washtenaw Family Law Assistance Clinic! | |
Wednesday, September 27, 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. More information coming soon!
Are you a family law attorney interested in volunteering? Register here
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Oakland County Family Law Assistance Project (FLAP) Clinic
Friday, September 8, 2023 - 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Register for a free expungement clinic presented by the Oakland County Bar Association Providing Access to Legal Services (PALS) Committee. Attendees will meet with an attorney to review their criminal history to evaluate their eligibility for a record expungement. Register online at map.tfaforms.net/32.
More information
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Oakland County Family Law Assistance Project (FLAP) Clinic
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Who should attend?
Individuals with low income, who are U.S. Citizens or eligible undocumented immigrants; who need legal services in Oakland Country or live in Oakland County; whose circumstances are related to a domestic Personal Protection Order (PPO), or family law issues such as divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, minor guardianship; etc.; and who are not represented by an attorney.
More information
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Brillosa Annual Latinx Celebration | |
Farmworker Legal Services is honored to join Bell’s Eccentric Cafe for their third annual Brillosa event on September 24th, from 2-6 PM, celebrating Latinx culture and recognizing the contributions of Michigan’s immigrant and migrant farmworker community!
The free, all-ages, event will feature live performances, delicious food, and a special tapping of Bell’s Brillosa beer. Donations can be made to support Farmworker Legal Services here.
Find more information about the event here.
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MSBF 2022 Access to Justice Annual Report
The Michigan State Bar Foundation has released its 2022 Access to Justice Annual Report.
Read more
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Michigan expanding Medicaid eligibility to more children and pregnant people with green cards
“This really represents an incremental step towards, certainly, our goal which is health equity, and health equity, you know, has to include coverage of all Michiganders, regardless of immigration status,” Susan Reed, MIRC Executive Director tells WKAR.
Read more
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If your organization has relevant happenings you would like us to promote in next month's newsletter, send details to: communications@lsscm.org
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