Hotline Number 312-738-9200
February 1, 2022
Tanue David: Our new Sidley Austin LLP Community Engagement Coordinator!
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.
Celebrate and Honor Black History Month
February 1 to March 1
"The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them." 

—Ida B. Wells
“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”

—Dr. Mae Jemison
"If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." 

—Shirley Chisholm
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he
stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

—Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”

—Booker T. Washington
“When we’re talking about diversity, it’s
not a box to check.
It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us.”

—Ava DuVernay
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

—Harriet Tubman
Goodbye and Good Luck to
Development Director Tanya Pietrkowski
Tanya has left CARPLS Legal Aid to venture on her own as a fundraising consultant for small nonprofits and artists. She spent 11 proud years at the organization growing support more deeply among the legal and business community and increasing CARPLS’ recognition.

Read Tanya's "love letter to legal aid":

If not now, when is the premise and how is the question. This idea occurred to me while I was doing the dishes—a gateway to my creative ideas.

With 11 years + one week at CARPLS and five years and seven months at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law out of a 25+ year career in fundraising, I am a member of the legal services tribe.

We are a crew that is committed to removing barriers in the legal system and we often spend our lives committed to the cause. However, the essence of law that creates a system by which all things are judged, measured and considered makes systemic change a slow and arduous process when the system works. The Socratic method, by which lawyers are educated, is detached and logical. So, it’s understandable that people outside of the legal community miss sharing our sense of passion or grasp how we are agents of change. And, we often have a difficult time sharing our mission in a way that is compelling outside of the legal community.
"CARPLS Fought For Me 100%"
"Serena" called CARPLS because she was being sued for credit card debt. CARPLS helped negotiate a settlement and she is very appreciative.

She said, "CARPLS helped me get my life on track! Credit card debt was prohibiting me from financial freedom! CARPLS fought for me 100%."
"Joe" called CARPLS because he had questions about his unemployment benefits request. The CARPLS attorney gave him advice on the situation and how to present himself. Joe was very appreciative of the advice and mentioned that years ago, we helped him gain custody of his child. He wants to "tell others about how great CARPLS is."
CARPLS Media Spotlights!
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