Hello, my name is Tanue David. I am a Chicago native raised in several communities throughout the city, from Rogers Park to Pilsen to Roseland. I started working in social work and community engagement in 2009. I am a huge basketball and football fan, however, that does not mean I will not attend a baseball game!
Why did you decide to work with CARPLS?
As a former CARPLS client, I am a living example of the impactful and life-changing results of CARPLS services. I remember having a tough housing situation, and CARPLS equipped me with the tools that I needed to achieve a desired outcome. Since that time, I have referred several Chicago and Cook County residents to CARPLS' services. This, too, resulted in success stories.
Why do you work in community engagement?
Living in so many diverse communities throughout Chicago has given me a genuine passion for growing and strengthening communities. Community engagement provides an opportunity to bring more legal aid resources to these communities. Through my work, I hope to impact and change individual lives and families.
What were you doing before you joined CARPLS?
Prior to coming to CARPLS, I worked at Chicago Survivors for four years. I helped Chicago families and communities cope with being survivors of a homicide by providing 6-12 months of supportive counseling and wrap-around services.
What is one of your major goals in your first year at CARPLS?
In many Latinx and Black communities, knowledge of free legal services can be very low. My plan is to bring awareness about the diverse services CARPLS can provide to reduce the stress levels of many communities already experiencing societal ills, such as trauma and poverty.
And I am excited to be with CARPLS where I plan to increase outreach and get more people on the road to clearing their cannabis records for the New Leaf Illinois cannabis expungement initiative.