Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) provides free and low-cost legal services to empower the community. CLSEPA helps individuals improve their lives through legal assistance on issues like housing, immigration, and consumer rights. It also conducts educational workshops to build trust in the legal system. CLSEPA relies on donations and pro bono attorneys to serve the diverse community in and around East Palo Alto, helping over 1,500 people annually and providing over 20,000 hours of legal services.
KLS reviews 2017 on a statewide level. KLS illustrates the impact that legal services has on the residents of the State of Kansas. Legal Services Corporation should be proud of the work KLS does to increase access to justice.
The document summarizes a partnership between HomeSight, a community development organization, the Rainier Othello Safety Association (ROSA), and the Seattle Police Department to reduce crime in Southeast Seattle. They used crime mapping to identify hotspots and partnered to make physical improvements like curb installation and bus stop redesign. They also organized community events to engage residents and demonstrate their commitment to improving safety. Through this collaborative approach, drug crime was reduced 20% and residents felt increased confidence in the police and pride in their neighborhood. The partnership showed how diverse groups, by capitalizing on their varied strengths, can work together effectively to address crime through both enforcement and community engagement.
Article about Philadelphia's "ban the box" legislation that fines companies for asking job applicants before their second interview if they have a criminal background. The Pennsylvania Prison Society was part of the coalition that advocated for this change.
This document provides a summary of the activities of the Progressive Caucus from spring 2015. It includes 3 sentences summarizing their policy work passing bills on gender identity, waste equity, worker cooperatives, banning credit checks, fair chance hiring, and more. It also summarizes their events advocating for education funding, bike infrastructure, and housing affordability. Finally it outlines their actions rallying against illegal hotels, advocating for bus rapid transit, calling for a special prosecutor in police killings, and campaigning to eliminate school lunch fees.
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) 2017-18 Annual ReportMarion Fraley
Celebrating "a mission of justice," the 2017-18 LASP Annual Report shares stories of courageous clients and thanks supporters, donors, advocates and volunteers for increasing access to justice.
There are many motivated immigrants who want to start their own businesses or pursue their dreams like becoming a musician. However, the reality of living in the US is often different than expected, with challenges like lack of stability, time constraints, language barriers, and social stigma. Immigrants also live in fear of authorities due to their immigration status. To help immigrants pursue happiness and feel secure, services are needed that provide resources, opportunities, permanent jobs, flexible English classes, and education on local police policies to build trust between immigrants and law enforcement.
KLS reviews 2017 on a statewide level. KLS illustrates the impact that legal services has on the residents of the State of Kansas. Legal Services Corporation should be proud of the work KLS does to increase access to justice.
The document summarizes a partnership between HomeSight, a community development organization, the Rainier Othello Safety Association (ROSA), and the Seattle Police Department to reduce crime in Southeast Seattle. They used crime mapping to identify hotspots and partnered to make physical improvements like curb installation and bus stop redesign. They also organized community events to engage residents and demonstrate their commitment to improving safety. Through this collaborative approach, drug crime was reduced 20% and residents felt increased confidence in the police and pride in their neighborhood. The partnership showed how diverse groups, by capitalizing on their varied strengths, can work together effectively to address crime through both enforcement and community engagement.
Article about Philadelphia's "ban the box" legislation that fines companies for asking job applicants before their second interview if they have a criminal background. The Pennsylvania Prison Society was part of the coalition that advocated for this change.
This document provides a summary of the activities of the Progressive Caucus from spring 2015. It includes 3 sentences summarizing their policy work passing bills on gender identity, waste equity, worker cooperatives, banning credit checks, fair chance hiring, and more. It also summarizes their events advocating for education funding, bike infrastructure, and housing affordability. Finally it outlines their actions rallying against illegal hotels, advocating for bus rapid transit, calling for a special prosecutor in police killings, and campaigning to eliminate school lunch fees.
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) 2017-18 Annual ReportMarion Fraley
Celebrating "a mission of justice," the 2017-18 LASP Annual Report shares stories of courageous clients and thanks supporters, donors, advocates and volunteers for increasing access to justice.
There are many motivated immigrants who want to start their own businesses or pursue their dreams like becoming a musician. However, the reality of living in the US is often different than expected, with challenges like lack of stability, time constraints, language barriers, and social stigma. Immigrants also live in fear of authorities due to their immigration status. To help immigrants pursue happiness and feel secure, services are needed that provide resources, opportunities, permanent jobs, flexible English classes, and education on local police policies to build trust between immigrants and law enforcement.
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) - 2018-19 Annual ReportMarion Fraley
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) provides FRESH STARTS & SECOND CHANCES through civil legal advocacy. In 2018-19, LASP handled 9,745 cases benefiting 21,302 clients and their families, in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The Annual Report thanks our 2018-19 donors, pro bono volunteers, board members, advocacy staff, community partners, and all who contributed their time, talent and/or treasure to increase access to justice and level the playing field in our courts.
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) Annual Report - 2016-17Marion Fraley
The annual report summarizes Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania's (LASP) work from 2016-2017. LASP provides legal services across four counties in Pennsylvania. In 2016-2017, LASP handled over 8,000 cases helping nearly 18,000 clients. Key areas of work included domestic violence, housing, public benefits, and removing barriers to employment. LASP works with partner organizations and volunteers to expand its reach and services. Continued support is needed as demand exceeds available funding.
151012 Jane Campbell interview Professional PlannerJane Campbell
Jane Campbell has a unique perspective on financial planning for injury victims as both a lawyer and certified financial planner. Her legal background includes defending insurance companies against injury claims, which showed her the need for financial support beyond legal settlements. She lobbied for six years to make structured settlements using annuities tax-free in Australia, though these are rarely used today. Instead, Campbell helps clients invest compensation in superannuation for flexible income streams, which she believes is the best global solution. However, she opposes moves away from lump-sum payouts towards state-run no-fault injury schemes.
The C M Legal Issue is a newsletter owned by C Mputhia
Advocates and its vision is to keep you informed. C Mputhia
Advocates' vision is to be a leader of change and growth in the
legal and business environment and this publication is one of the
tools we use to achieve this.
The Volunteer Legal Services Corporation (VLSC) provides legal aid to over 2,000 low-income residents in Alameda County annually who cannot afford legal assistance. VLSC relies on donations from the Alameda County Bar Foundation and volunteer attorneys to operate clinics and connect clients to pro bono legal help with issues like domestic violence, housing, and family law. VLSC aims to ensure all community members can access the legal system regardless of their economic status.
I was hired by Calgary legal Guidance (a not for profit law firm that provides legal assistance, information and support to economically and socially disadvantaged individuals who would not otherwise have access to such services.) to collect, organize company data in order to design this annual report.
The center for human rights and constitutional lawraymondmin
The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law is a non-profit dedicated to protecting civil, constitutional, and human rights of immigrants, refugees, children, and the poor. They provide legal representation for over 130 individuals per year and operate a homeschool for homeless youth. The organization aims to give disadvantaged individuals a fair chance in court and access to education through litigation, advocacy, and social services. Funding and volunteers are needed to continue their important work defending those who cannot otherwise afford legal counsel.
This document profiles Beth Klein, a Colorado lawyer who has taken her commitment to professionalism beyond the courtroom to help solve societal problems. Over three decades, Klein has fought human trafficking through her nonprofit foundation, helping pass new anti-trafficking laws in Colorado. The document describes how Klein recruited other lawyers to help abused children, inspiring them to use their skills for good. It outlines the scope of human trafficking and how Klein's foundation has grown to thousands of volunteers combating the issue through legal and legislative work.
The public image of the Kenyan Judiciary is at test yet again and its a little wonder whether its women that don’t have a place in the Judiciary or is it transparency and honesty itself.It’s only you to find out on www.kenyanlegal.com
This document discusses the importance of protecting whistleblowers in South Africa. It notes that as corruption investigations have progressed, witnesses have faced threats, intimidation, and even death. It specifically mentions the murder of Babita Deokaran, who was a key witness in a corruption investigation. The document calls for reviewing protections for whistleblowers as the fight against corruption intensifies, and strengthening support systems and addressing legal/policy gaps to protect their safety, livelihoods, and reputations. It praises whistleblowers for their brave public service in exposing corruption.
How To Cite A Website In An Essay Harvard StyleSarah Meza
This document provides instructions for fixing a scorched or burned laminate kitchen counter top in 3 different ways:
1. For light burns, create a paste of baking soda and water to scrub the stain and lift it. Buff the area with carnuba wax.
2. For deep burns penetrating the laminate, fill the depression with epoxy and sand smooth before sealing.
3. If the counter is worn, clean and seal the entire surface to blend the repair.
Essay On Climate Change And Global Warming PdfJoanna Gardner
The document provides instructions for requesting writing assistance from HelpWriting.net. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with a password and email. 2) Complete a 10-minute order form providing instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review bids from writers and choose one based on qualifications. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment if pleased. 5) Request revisions until fully satisfied, with a refund option for plagiarized work.
Argumentative Essay Tips And Sa. Online assignment writing service.Lisa Riley
This document provides instructions for using the HelpWriting.net service to have an essay written. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with a password and email. 2) Complete a 10-minute order form providing instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review bids from writers and choose one based on qualifications. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment if satisfied. 5) Request revisions to ensure satisfaction, and the company guarantees original, high-quality work or a full refund.
Write An Essay About What Leads To Success In BusinessNicole Waters
The document provides instructions for writing an essay through an online service. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with personal information. 2) Complete an order form with instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review writer bids and qualifications and select a writer. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment. 5) Request revisions until satisfied with the work. The process aims to ensure high-quality, original content through accountability and revisions.
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) played a significant role in the racial segregation of neighborhoods and unequal access to mortgages in Kansas City and across the United States during much of the 20th century. The FHA promoted policies that encouraged racial segregation and made it difficult for Black families to purchase homes or obtain fair mortgage rates in many neighborhoods. Some key aspects of the FHA's involvement include:
- FHA underwriting manuals from the 1930s warned against making loans in neighborhoods with "inharmonious racial groups" and encouraged racial segregation. This directly contributed to the practice of redlining, where Black neighborhoods were marked as high-risk on maps.
- Loans were rarely given to Black families wanting to purchase
Importance Of School Essay Essay On Importance OfLucy Castillo
The document provides instructions for creating an account on HelpWriting.net to request paper writing assistance. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with a password and email. 2) Complete an order form with instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review bids from writers and choose one. 4) Receive the paper and authorize payment if pleased. 5) Request revisions until satisfied. The service aims to provide original, high-quality content and offers refunds for plagiarized work.
Holly BEnson for Attorney General of FLorida/REPUBLICANjenkan04
Holly Benson on the issues for Attorney General of FLorida
Candidates personal History
Presented by The Highlands Tea Party http://thehighlandsteaparty.com /
Prepared by John Nelson
The document discusses the complex and imperfect nature of justice. It notes that justice requires an unwavering commitment to doing what is right rather than what is easy. When justice breaks down, the disadvantaged are further harmed. The organization exists to help ensure justice is served fully at every stage of the legal process as a defense against cruelty.
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) - 2018-19 Annual ReportMarion Fraley
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) provides FRESH STARTS & SECOND CHANCES through civil legal advocacy. In 2018-19, LASP handled 9,745 cases benefiting 21,302 clients and their families, in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The Annual Report thanks our 2018-19 donors, pro bono volunteers, board members, advocacy staff, community partners, and all who contributed their time, talent and/or treasure to increase access to justice and level the playing field in our courts.
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) Annual Report - 2016-17Marion Fraley
The annual report summarizes Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania's (LASP) work from 2016-2017. LASP provides legal services across four counties in Pennsylvania. In 2016-2017, LASP handled over 8,000 cases helping nearly 18,000 clients. Key areas of work included domestic violence, housing, public benefits, and removing barriers to employment. LASP works with partner organizations and volunteers to expand its reach and services. Continued support is needed as demand exceeds available funding.
151012 Jane Campbell interview Professional PlannerJane Campbell
Jane Campbell has a unique perspective on financial planning for injury victims as both a lawyer and certified financial planner. Her legal background includes defending insurance companies against injury claims, which showed her the need for financial support beyond legal settlements. She lobbied for six years to make structured settlements using annuities tax-free in Australia, though these are rarely used today. Instead, Campbell helps clients invest compensation in superannuation for flexible income streams, which she believes is the best global solution. However, she opposes moves away from lump-sum payouts towards state-run no-fault injury schemes.
The C M Legal Issue is a newsletter owned by C Mputhia
Advocates and its vision is to keep you informed. C Mputhia
Advocates' vision is to be a leader of change and growth in the
legal and business environment and this publication is one of the
tools we use to achieve this.
The Volunteer Legal Services Corporation (VLSC) provides legal aid to over 2,000 low-income residents in Alameda County annually who cannot afford legal assistance. VLSC relies on donations from the Alameda County Bar Foundation and volunteer attorneys to operate clinics and connect clients to pro bono legal help with issues like domestic violence, housing, and family law. VLSC aims to ensure all community members can access the legal system regardless of their economic status.
I was hired by Calgary legal Guidance (a not for profit law firm that provides legal assistance, information and support to economically and socially disadvantaged individuals who would not otherwise have access to such services.) to collect, organize company data in order to design this annual report.
The center for human rights and constitutional lawraymondmin
The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law is a non-profit dedicated to protecting civil, constitutional, and human rights of immigrants, refugees, children, and the poor. They provide legal representation for over 130 individuals per year and operate a homeschool for homeless youth. The organization aims to give disadvantaged individuals a fair chance in court and access to education through litigation, advocacy, and social services. Funding and volunteers are needed to continue their important work defending those who cannot otherwise afford legal counsel.
This document profiles Beth Klein, a Colorado lawyer who has taken her commitment to professionalism beyond the courtroom to help solve societal problems. Over three decades, Klein has fought human trafficking through her nonprofit foundation, helping pass new anti-trafficking laws in Colorado. The document describes how Klein recruited other lawyers to help abused children, inspiring them to use their skills for good. It outlines the scope of human trafficking and how Klein's foundation has grown to thousands of volunteers combating the issue through legal and legislative work.
The public image of the Kenyan Judiciary is at test yet again and its a little wonder whether its women that don’t have a place in the Judiciary or is it transparency and honesty itself.It’s only you to find out on www.kenyanlegal.com
This document discusses the importance of protecting whistleblowers in South Africa. It notes that as corruption investigations have progressed, witnesses have faced threats, intimidation, and even death. It specifically mentions the murder of Babita Deokaran, who was a key witness in a corruption investigation. The document calls for reviewing protections for whistleblowers as the fight against corruption intensifies, and strengthening support systems and addressing legal/policy gaps to protect their safety, livelihoods, and reputations. It praises whistleblowers for their brave public service in exposing corruption.
How To Cite A Website In An Essay Harvard StyleSarah Meza
This document provides instructions for fixing a scorched or burned laminate kitchen counter top in 3 different ways:
1. For light burns, create a paste of baking soda and water to scrub the stain and lift it. Buff the area with carnuba wax.
2. For deep burns penetrating the laminate, fill the depression with epoxy and sand smooth before sealing.
3. If the counter is worn, clean and seal the entire surface to blend the repair.
Essay On Climate Change And Global Warming PdfJoanna Gardner
The document provides instructions for requesting writing assistance from HelpWriting.net. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with a password and email. 2) Complete a 10-minute order form providing instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review bids from writers and choose one based on qualifications. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment if pleased. 5) Request revisions until fully satisfied, with a refund option for plagiarized work.
Argumentative Essay Tips And Sa. Online assignment writing service.Lisa Riley
This document provides instructions for using the HelpWriting.net service to have an essay written. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with a password and email. 2) Complete a 10-minute order form providing instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review bids from writers and choose one based on qualifications. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment if satisfied. 5) Request revisions to ensure satisfaction, and the company guarantees original, high-quality work or a full refund.
Write An Essay About What Leads To Success In BusinessNicole Waters
The document provides instructions for writing an essay through an online service. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with personal information. 2) Complete an order form with instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review writer bids and qualifications and select a writer. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment. 5) Request revisions until satisfied with the work. The process aims to ensure high-quality, original content through accountability and revisions.
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) played a significant role in the racial segregation of neighborhoods and unequal access to mortgages in Kansas City and across the United States during much of the 20th century. The FHA promoted policies that encouraged racial segregation and made it difficult for Black families to purchase homes or obtain fair mortgage rates in many neighborhoods. Some key aspects of the FHA's involvement include:
- FHA underwriting manuals from the 1930s warned against making loans in neighborhoods with "inharmonious racial groups" and encouraged racial segregation. This directly contributed to the practice of redlining, where Black neighborhoods were marked as high-risk on maps.
- Loans were rarely given to Black families wanting to purchase
Importance Of School Essay Essay On Importance OfLucy Castillo
The document provides instructions for creating an account on HelpWriting.net to request paper writing assistance. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with a password and email. 2) Complete an order form with instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review bids from writers and choose one. 4) Receive the paper and authorize payment if pleased. 5) Request revisions until satisfied. The service aims to provide original, high-quality content and offers refunds for plagiarized work.
Holly BEnson for Attorney General of FLorida/REPUBLICANjenkan04
Holly Benson on the issues for Attorney General of FLorida
Candidates personal History
Presented by The Highlands Tea Party http://thehighlandsteaparty.com /
Prepared by John Nelson
The document discusses the complex and imperfect nature of justice. It notes that justice requires an unwavering commitment to doing what is right rather than what is easy. When justice breaks down, the disadvantaged are further harmed. The organization exists to help ensure justice is served fully at every stage of the legal process as a defense against cruelty.
2. Empowering Our Community Through Access to Justice2
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto
(CLSEPA) exists to make the tools of the law avail-
able to everyone.
Our Mission
Too often, and for too many people, the legal system
can be a strange and forbidding world—a maze of
words and rules that is foreign to their everyday lives.
Or, worse, it can be a tool used by those who would
deny them their rights. People in and around East Palo
Alto, in particular, confront an array of challenges
that seriously hinder their ability to make the law work
in their favor.
At CLSEPA, we take the machinery of the law and
transform it into an engine of personal and community
advancement. Through the casework that we do for
individual clients and through our broader outreach
work, we help people to improve their lives and to
achieve their goals. In that way, we also build a sense
of trust among the people we serve—trust in the law
as an institution, trust in the legal profession, trust in
their own ability to meet legal challenges.
In short, we aim to widen access to justice for all
who live in the diverse community that we serve. By
providing free and low-cost legal services, and by
undertaking advocacy and education efforts, we
seek to empower people—to make the law work for
them, and not against them.
Our Organization
Founded in 2002, CLSEPA embarked on its second
decade of service with a renewed commitment to
our core mission. Today, we are a well-established
organization that creatively uses its modest resources
to achieve a not-so-modest impact.
To fund our operations, we rely on grants and
donations from foundations, law firms, and private
companies, as well as individuals. Our staff includes
lawyers who specialize in areas such as housing,
immigration, and consumer rights. Crucially, they are
able to reach clients on a broad scale by working
with an extensive and carefully managed network of
pro bono attorneys.
As our name indicates, CLSEPA is an organization
rooted in East Palo Alto, and in the region that sur-
rounds it. (We serve residents throughout San Mateo
and northern Santa Clara counties.) Many who live
in this region face challenges—ranging from undoc-
umented immigration status to a lack of employment
opportunities—that impede access to justice. East Palo
Alto is located just miles from the campus of Stanford
University and from the office parks of Silicon Valley.
Despite its proximity to those pockets of affluence and
growth, however, our community continues to endure
acute economic hardship.
We strive to address the real-world needs and
aspirations of people in this community—to provide a
Empowerment. Community. Justice.
A senior citizen and his wife, threatened with the loss
of their home, fight off a series of eviction proceedings
and work to claim their rights as tenants
A college student, liberated from worries about her
uncertain legal status, pursues her dream of building
a life in the United States
............
3. Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto 3
lifeline to those who require legal protection. By mak-
ing top-rate legal services available to community
members who have nowhere else to turn, CLSEPA
allows them to gain a voice within our justice system.
True justice, we believe, cannot be bought or sold.
Our Work
CLSEPA serves multiple groups in multiple ways.
To clients, we offer advice and information,
direct legal assistance, and referrals to private
practice attorneys and to social service agencies.
To our community, we offer workshops and
advocacy programs in areas of the law that truly
matter to local residents.
To law firms, and to their partners and associates,
we offer robust experiential and training opportunities.
To the public, and to the legal community as
a whole, we offer policy expertise and thought
leadership in key areas of legal practice.
To our donors, we offer an organizational model
that efficiently leverages every dollar in our budget.
In the pages that follow, you will find stories of
how CLSEPA gives people the power to achieve
direct, meaningful change in their own lives—and
broad-based change in the life of their community.
Taken together, these stories tell the larger story of
our organization.
Hours of legal
services provided
People who received
legal assistance
Legal professionals
who donated time
Hours of pro bono
services provided
Market value of
donated services
Community
members reached
through legal
education efforts
20,000 +
1,500 +
500 +
12,000 +
$3 million +
2,000 +
Our Annual Impact
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A homeowner, after being victimized by predatory loan-
modification services, escapes the imminent threat of
foreclosure and obtains a new, more affordable mortgage
A young corporate lawyer expands his range of
professional experience by helping a woman to
navigate the immigration bureaucracy............
4. “If You Don’t Have a Lawyer, Forget It”
The growing wealth of Silicon Valley casts a big shadow over the less-affluent communities
that surround it. “If you live in this area, and you don’t have that ‘Silicon money,’ then you
almost can’t make it,” says Sani Wadunia, who has lived in East Palo Alto since 1965.
The challenge of securing decent, affordable housing has grown especially difficult. Con-
sider the situation that Sani and his wife, Christel, face. He collects Social Security benefits
and earns money by operating an ice-cream truck. She works as an in-home caregiver. Even
with their combined income, they have struggled to find a suitable apartment to rent.
In 2010, the Wadunias thought that their struggle had ended when an East Palo Alto
woman offered a rental unit to them. But after signing a lease, they learned that the unit
failed to meet the city’s housing code. “I moved in and found out that it had no insulation,”
Sani recalls. “There was no proper ceiling. It started getting real cold.”
Very quickly, the relationship between Sani and his landlady grew contentious. After he
tried to install plastic sheeting to insulate the apartment, she called the police. Then she
issued an eviction notice.
That’s when Sani came to CLSEPA, which assigned a lawyer to his case. Twice, the lawyer
succeeded in obtaining a dismissal of the landlady’s eviction attempts. Later, another CLSEPA
attorney helped the Wadunias to secure a court order that requires the landlady to pay them
back rent (plus interest).
Eventually, the Wadunias left that carport unit, and today they have a stable—and fully
legal—rental arrangement in East Palo Alto. Sani credits CLSEPA with empowering them
to make that move: “The technical aspects of the law are overwhelming. If you don’t have a
lawyer, forget it.”
The aim of CLSEPA’s Housing
Program is to give low-income
residents the tools that they
need to stay in their homes
and to protect their rights as
tenants. Housing scarcity
and high living costs have
led to a critical shortage of
affordable rental units in our
community. As a result, people
often have no alternative to
residing in substandard or even
illegal housing. Our housing
team supports and represents
tenants, empoweing them to
handle problems that range
from unsafe living conditions to
a landlord’s refusal to return a
security deposit.
HOUSING
Empowering Our Community Through Access to Justice4
5. Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto 5
“Knowing That I’m ‘Legal’ Now Has Been Wonderful”
Magali Molina remembers the exact date when it happened: On May 21, 2012, the U.S.
government approved her father’s application for a U visa. The U visa gives her father the
right to live and work in the United States, and it sets him on a path toward permanent-
resident status. “Now he feels safe,” Magali says. Similar rights apply to other members of
the Molina family—including Magali, who became a derivative beneficiary of her father’s
U visa. “It changed my life,” she says.
Previously, Magali was an undocumented immigrant. Her family came to California
from Mexico when she was nine years old. She grew up in Redwood City and graduated
from Sequoia High School, and today she’s a student at UC Santa Cruz.
Magali, in fact, is the one who initiated the U-visa process for her family. Under the
U-visa program, immigrants who are the victim of a serious crime and who then help law-
enforcement authorities to investigate that crime can apply for legal residency. That was the
case with Magali’s father, who was the victim of an assault in 2008. A few years later, Magali
brought his case to the attention of an immigration lawyer at CLSEPA.
“She was always willing to help, and she would remind us about the next step to take,”
Magali says of the CLSEPA attorney who helped her family steer a course through the
immigration bureaucracy. (Magali’s interaction with CLSEPA changed her life in one other
way: It sparked an interest in the law that is academic as well as personal. During her
sophomore year at UCSC, she decided to major in legal studies.)
U-visa status has empowered Magali, enabling her to get a Social Security number and
making her eligible to obtain a driver’s license. “Knowing that I’m ‘legal’ now has been
wonderful,” she says. “It’s opened up a lot of opportunities that I didn’t have before.”
Every year, CLSEPA assists
hundreds of immigrants who
live in and around East Palo
Alto. Our work enables these
immigrants to work legally,
to pursue educational
opportunities, and to keep
their families together. One
focus of our immigration
practice is on supporting
undocumented residents
who have been victims of
domestic violence and other
crimes. Our immigration team
also assists clients who face
the prospect of removal from
the country.
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
6. “I’m Still in My House”
Amid the ongoing housing market crisis, many homeowners have fallen prey to dubious loan
modification schemes. Lupi Langi bitterly recalls her involvement with one group of scam-
mers who claimed that they could help her: “They took money, but they never did their job.”
Indeed, because of that encounter, Lupi came close to losing her home to a foreclosure action.
Lupi and her husband, Motekai, are both natives of Tonga, an island nation in the South
Pacific. They came to the United States in 1982. She worked for many years as an in-home
caregiver, and he earned a living as an aircraft-service worker. In 1989, they pooled their sav-
ings to buy a house in East Palo Alto.
In recent years, health problems have undermined their efforts to make regular mortgage
payments. Motekai suffered kidney failure in 2004, and he has been disabled since then. Lupi,
meanwhile, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2010. Although an operation to remove the
tumor was successful, she has been unable to work full-time.
Acute financial need drove Lupi into the hands of scam artists. Not only did they fail
to help her and her family, but they made matters worse. “The guy told me not to pay my
mortgage until the modification went through,” she recalls. “It mixed me up.” The Langis fell
deeply behind on their loan, and their bank moved to foreclose on them.
Real help came just in time. In mid-2011, CLSEPA lawyers halted a scheduled trustee sale
of the Langis’ home by speedily filing an application the modify their mortgage. Eventually,
the Langis obtained a modification that included very favorable terms.
“I can’t do it by myself,” Lupi says, referring to the support that CLSEPA lawyers
provided to her. “Because of them, I’m still in my house. Every day, I wake up and say,
Thank God for their help.”
CLSEPA’s Anti–Foreclosure
and Predatory Lending (APL)
program protects people
against financial arrange-
ments that are burdensome
or, in some cases, illegal. Our
battle against bad lending
practices happens on three
fronts. First, we provide legal
assistance to homeowners
who face foreclosure and
to tenants who are at risk of
foreclosure-related eviction.
Second, we work to educate
people about their financial
options. And third, we pursue
legislative solutions that will
help to minimize unsound
lending activities.
ANTI–FORECLOSURE AND PREDATORY LENDING
Empowering Our Community Through Access to Justice6
7. Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto 7
“It’s Important to Give Back”
“It’s very satisfying to help someone in such a direct way,” says Chuck Koch, an associate at
Goodwin Procter LLP. He’s referring to pro bono legal assistance that he has provided to
clients through CLSEPA’s Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP).
Chuck, an engineer by training, specializes in patent litigation. He helps companies such
as Citrix, Hewlett-Packard, and NetApp to navigate through complex legal and technical
terrain, and that work offers its own kind of satisfaction. Yet it seldom gives him a chance to
engage face-to-face with clients who benefit personally from his professional expertise.
By contrast, Chuck says, his work for VAP clients “is definitely more real.”
Consider the case of “Mary,” an East Palo Alto woman who faced two major challenges.
(Mary is not her real name.) She was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, and she
was the victim of domestic abuse. In 2010, her husband assaulted her. She reported the
incident to the police, and a court issued a restraining order to protect her. But the fear of
deportation, and of not being able to work legally, remained. Chuck helped Mary to apply
for a U visa—a special legal status that would allow her to live and work in the United States.
Engaging with clients like Mary brings tangible benefits to a young attorney like Chuck.
“You grow professionally,” he says. “You have the opportunity to run your own case.”
In mid-2012, Chuck learned that Mary’s U-visa application had succeeded, and he
immediately shared the news with his client. It was like giving her “a Christmas present,” he
recalls. “She was ecstatic.” Earning U-visa status empowers Mary to come out of the shadow
that legal uncertainty had cast upon her.
About the work that he does on behalf of Mary and other CLSEPA clients, Chuck says:
“It’s important to give back.”
Through VAP, CLSEPA helps
people in our community to
address problems that they
could normally address only
by hiring costly private legal
counsel. VAP work also gives
participating attorneys, many
of whom are junior associates
at local law firms, an oppor-
tunity to stretch themselves
professionally. Thanks to the
pro bono services that these
firms and their attorneys
provide, CLSEPA is able to
maintain an extraordinarily
large caseload despite having
a very modest budget.
VOLUNTARY ATTORNEY PROGRAM
8. Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto
ANTI-PREDATORY LENDING • CONSUMER • HOUSING • ADMINISTRATION [ 1861 BAY ROAD • EAST PALO ALTO, CA 94303 ]
IMMIGRATION [ 2117 (B) UNIVERSITY AVENUE • EAST PALO ALTO, CA 94303 ]
www.clsepa.org | Phone (650)326.6440 | Fax (866)688.5204 | info@clsepa.org
Your support empowers CLSEPA
to empower people throughout the
greater East Palo Alto community.
Join the many Bay Area individuals,
law firms, and philanthropic
foundations that have given their
money, their time, and their passion
to CLSEPA. The commitment that
they have made to our organization
enables us to continue our efforts
to expand access to justice on
multiple fronts.
Donate
Your contribution goes a long way.
Thanks to the financial support that we have received from a
wide range of individual and institutional partners, CLSEPA has
steadily grown in the breadth and depth of the services that we
provide to our community.
Volunteer
Your time and your talent matter.
Our organization thrives because of our wonderful volunteers.
We welcome highly motivated people—from attorneys to law
students to paralegal professionals—who wish to give their time
to support our mission.