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"Transforming People & Communities from the Inside Out."

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published July 19, 2010

Cabrini Green Legal Aid

Breakthrough is happy to announce a new partnership with Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA). East Garfield Park residents will now have access to free legal aid every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Breakthrough Ministry Center, where CGLA has set up an intake site. Community residents who shop at Breakthrough’s Fresh Market as well as guests in the overnight program can call CGLA in advance to set up an appointment with an attorney.

“This partnership is important because many people in our community do not have access to legal services,” says Director of Community Relations, Tony Escobar. “Either they don’t know how to get legal help or it is difficult for them to get to an office in another neighborhood. Regardless, the cost to getting legal advice is often a significant barrier.”

Tony goes on to point out that important legal issues may stand in the way of people being hired or may be a financial drain on their families, both of which make it very difficult for them to experience a quality standard of living. “This kind of stress and financial strain can put even more pressure on existing family situations, so by partnering with CGLA we are able to connect the community with solutions.” CGLA’s mission of creating stability for families and building long-term support aligns with Breakthrough’s own mission of restoring broken networks.

“We handle cases for family and criminal law,” says Dierdre Johnson, a Client Specialist at CGLA. “People come to us with landlord-tenant issues, where perhaps the landlords are not in compliance with regulations. We also see cases like divorce where domestic violence is involved, child custody and visitation, and criminal defense.”

Dierdre adds that CGLA reviews an average of 40 cases per week. “We offer the services of volunteer lawyers and paralegals free of charge for the cases we accept,” she says.

Are you an attorney or legal professional interested volunteering at Breakthrough through Cabrini Green Legal Aid?