Increasing Access for Entrepreneurs: February Newsletter

Yesterday, VOLS was thrilled to officially launch our new partnership with New York City Small Business Service’s Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC) initiative. The BE NYC and VOLS Legal Services Program will provide greater access to free legal services for entrepreneurs on a range of transactional matters. To kick things off, we teamed up with volunteer attorneys from Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP and the team at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation to host a networking breakfast and free Legal Basics for Entrepreneurs workshop at Restoration Plaza. The engaged crowd of small business owners were connected with legal information and business resources, had their questions answered, and were provided with follow-up opportunities. We look forward to working as a team to help this community thrive. It was an impactful way to end Black History Month!

As many know, IOLA funds help VOLS – and so many others – to provide free legal services to those who need it. VOLS was proud to stand with the New York Legal Services Coalition, many of our pro bono and community partners, and our fellow legal services organizations to oppose the Governor’s proposed sweep of $100 million in IOLA Funds to the State’s General Fund. We were glad to see Governor Hochul listen to the legal community about the critical importance of preserving this fund and rescind the proposal. Thank you to this wonderful community for standing up to preserve the integrity of the IOLA Fund! 

Best,

Abja Midha | She/Hers
Executive Director, Volunteers of Legal Service

Launch of the BE NYC and VOLS Legal Services Program at Restoration Plaza.

Pro bono partner Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP presents a legal basics workshop for entrepreneurs.

Attendees gather at Restoration Plaza.

Our Clients

The VOLS Children’s Project helps under-resourced families resolve legal problems that may impact a child’s health and ability to succeed in school. At one downtown school, VOLS supports our pro bono partners at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP in providing individual legal services to students and their families through regularly scheduled on-site legal clinics. MG and her young children had fled their home in South America to seek asylum in the United States. In her home country, MG had experienced physical and mental abuse from her partner and the family also faced discrimination in accessing healthcare and education based on a medical condition. With VOLS’ support, the pro bono team worked diligently to guide this family through a removal hearing and asylum application. We are thrilled to share that this month the New York City Immigration Court granted humanitarian asylum to this resilient family. The family is now living safely in New York City.


VOLS x 2024 TD Five Boro Bike Tour

V OLS is an Official Charity Partner for the 2024 TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Join us! To secure your spot, visit our website at volsprobono.org/vols-x-2024-td-five-boro-bike-tour/.


Panel Discussion

In February, VOLS Legal Director participated in a panel discussion entitled “Pro Bono Evolving: Navigating the Effects of New Workplace Trends and Challenges” hosted by the Public Interest Pro Bono Association (PIPBA).



Project Updates

VOLS Benefits Law Project (BLP) held a February Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE)/ Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) benefits presentation and legal clinic alongside pro bono attorneys from Wells Fargo and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP for members of Hudson Guild Adult Services. The team also held an Unemployment Insurance intake clinic supported by volunteer attorneys from Cisco and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.

VOLS Immigration Project (IP)  held an immigration relief screening clinic, providing support to recent arrival families alongside volunteer attorneys from Jenner & Block LLP and Cboe Global Markets, and a virtual DACA renewal clinic alongside pro bono volunteers from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. VOLS IP also held an immigration screening clinic for students at Brooklyn College, assessing eligibility for all forms of immigration relief.

VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project (IMLP) worked with pro bono attorneys from Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobsen LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and Willkie, Farr & Gallagher LLP to provide education, advocacy, and counsel at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. VOLS IMLP will conduct training for attorneys at DLA Piper on family law issues for incarcerated mothers next week.  

VOLS Microenterprise Project (MEP) conducted a virtual workshop focused on protecting intellectual property, NDAs, and trademarks supported by pro bono partner Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, and hosted by the Black Chamber of Commerce of New York City and NYC Business Solutions.

VOLS Senior Law Project (SLP) aheld legal clinics and educational programs with community partners Covello Older Adult Program, SAGE, Greenwich House, Tilden Houses Senior Center, Riseboro, JASA and Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement. VOLS SLP is proud to share our new guide to help older adults and their caregivers manage someone’s personal and legal affairs after they pass away and our guide to help New Yorkers who need to replace their identification documents in New York City.



New York City Council Testimony

VOLS testified before the New York City Council Committee on Aging, underscoring the need to increase access to Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) benefits for older adults living in New York City and make the application process easier. VOLS highlighted that providing pre-filled applications to eligible residents living in city-supervised Mitchell-Lama housing could ensure that more older adults are aware of their eligibility and increase access to SCRIE benefits. A full copy of the written testimony is available on our website. 

VOLS testified before the New York City Council Committees on Aging and Immigration underscoring the needs of immigrant older adults in New York City. VOLS noted the challenges faced by older adults and the importance of providing language accessible culturally competent services that meet their unique needs. A full copy of the testimony is available on our website. 



VOLS New York, Together 2024 Gala


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