The VOLS Unemployed Workers Project (UWP) was first launched following the 2008 financial crisis, lasting a decade until its suspension during a period of strong employment in 2019. When the pandemic hit and social distancing began in March 2020, we immediately re-tooled and re-launched the program to ensure that unemployed workers could access their entitled benefits, especially in an environment of new benefits, fast-changing rules, and government agencies who were not ready for the deluge of requests for assistance.
Today, VOLS is proud to share that we have passed the one million dollar mark.
Since March 2020, VOLS is proud to have provided free legal advice and representation to over 1,700 New Yorkers, helping them to secure $1.24M in access to eligible unemployment-related benefits.
In keeping with the theme of our New York, Together 2021 campaign, this accomplishment was achieved with the support of many partners, most especially including our talented UWP team and network of dozens of VOLS-trained volunteer attorneys from over 25 pro bono partners. We further recognize our on-the-ground community partners who educate their members and provide referrals. And we thank the generous funders who helped to launch and sustain the UWP as part of VOLS’ COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, including Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, New York Community Trust, Robin Hood, Brooklyn Community Foundation, FJC – A Foundation for Philanthropic Funds, and the Elroy & Terry Krumholz Foundation.
The availability of free legal assistance for unemployed workers in New York City is scarce, and VOLS is a leader among a small number of providers offering this service locally. Our pro bono partnership model has allowed us to be nimble in the face of the sudden, widespread, and uncertain economic disruption caused by COVID-19, enabling us to recruit broad support for unemployed workers, including undocumented immigrant workers who are newly eligible for the New York State Excluded Workers Fund benefits. We are increasingly focused on the interconnections between immigration law and workers’ rights, building on the immigration law expertise and strong community relationships of our UWP Director, Stephanie Taylor, the cultural competency of all UWP team members, and internal collaboration with the VOLS Immigration Project.
VOLS Unemployed Workers Project Pro Bono Partners Include:
AIG
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
American Express
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
Bloomberg
Brooklyn Law School
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Citi
Clifford Chance LLP
Covington & Burling LLP
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
CUNY Law School
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Dechert LLP
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Kramer Levin
Latham & Watkins LLP
Morgan Stanley
New York State Bar Association COVID-19 Task Force
One Zero Capital
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Floam LLP
South Asian Bar Association of NY (SABANY)
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Thomson Reuters
Winston & Strawn LLP
UWP Community Partners Include:
Garden of Hope
Jahajee Sisters
La Colmena
New York Public Library
Nido de Esperanza
Mixteca
Voces Latinas
For more information or to get involved, please contact Stephanie Taylor, VOLS Unemployed Workers Project Director, at staylor@volsprobono.org.