We Keep Moving Forward
These are challenging times for so many of our clients and the communities and community-based partners that VOLS serves. At the very same time, we are not immune from the impact of federal funding cuts. It strikes us that these were the very circumstances under which VOLS was formed – severe federal funding cuts to legal services compelled members of the bar to create VOLS as a solution. While our programs have evolved over the decades, VOLS’ commitment to our clients is steadfast: showing up for them with the highest quality free civil legal services we can provide. This month we were in every borough, advising New Yorkers on how to plan for a more secure future, hosting clinics, and providing legal education critical in a quickly changing landscape. I’m happy to share what we’ve been up to in this month’s newsletter.
Finally, a special thanks to all who reached out asking how they can help VOLS keep moving forward. Your support, partnership, and confidence in our programs are the answer today and in the months ahead.
Best,
Abja Midha | She/Her
Executive Director, Volunteers of Legal Service
VOLS New York, Together 2025 Gala
Join us at VOLS New York, Together 2025 Gala on Tuesday, April 22. Visit our website for ticketing information and to view our generous sponsors. We hope to see you there!
Get To Know Our Team
As part of the VOLS Spotlight Series, we spoke with Sadie Cook, Legal Assistant at VOLS.
What does your role as the Legal Assistant at VOLS involve?
As a Legal Assistant at VOLS, I work with several projects to provide support on both day-to-day operations and long-term projects. I am often a client’s first point of contact at VOLS to determine their eligibility and assess legal needs. I additionally help out at VOLS’ clinics across NYC — working with community partners to organize beforehand, assisting with post-clinic case management, and traveling offering support during. I am constantly learning new things alongside each team’s clients, pro bono and staff attorneys, and differing legal landscapes!
Is there an experience and/or client that you found particularly memorable?
I find attending in-person clinics extremely valuable at VOLS. Whether with the BLP team at an affordable housing development, with IMLP at a NYS prison, or at a Brooklyn-based small business owner convention with the MEP team, getting to interact with clients face to face – and often in their communities – provides meaningful and crucial perspectives which I bring back to other aspects of my role.
Tell us about yourself. What does your ideal weekend in NYC look like?
Having only moved to NYC in the last year, I love to fill my weekends trying new things! Although each weekend varies, I live close to Prospect Park and often take long walks – or bike rides – with friends both within the park or throughout Brooklyn.
Work for VOLS!
Join our team and help close the access to justice gap for low-income New Yorkers. The following positions are currently open:
Project Updates
VOLS Benefits Law Project (BLP) helped New Yorkers maintain housing through our Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) legal services programming. BLP held a legal clinic to help older adults learn about and apply for essential public benefits under the NYC Rent Freeze Program in collaboration with BNP Paribas and Wells Fargo at Knickerbocker Village. The presentation was offered in both English and Mandarin.
VOLS Immigration Project (IP) supported immigrant young people and their families. VOLS IP held a Know Your Rights presentation for recently arrived students at International High School at Washington Irvine with volunteers from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. The team continues to hold screening clinics through our partnership with Trinity Commons, this month supported by pro bono attorneys from Cooley and Fried Frank.
In March, VOLS hosted a CLE entitled “Empathy in Action: Trauma-Informed Advocacy for Pro Bono Attorneys” led by Immigration Project Director Keighly Rector.
VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project (IMLP) supported our incarcerated clients with their family law needs. This month the team held a clinic at Rikers Island’s Rose M. Singer Center alongside pro bono attorneys from Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP, Freshfields, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP and Societe Generale.
VOLS Microenterprise Project (MEP) provided transactional legal services and legal education programming to NYC’s entrepreneurs. This week MEP held a virtual presentation to help small business owners navigate funding options for their business in collaboration with Davis Polk & Wardwell and the Bronx SBDC at Lehman College.
VOLS Senior Law Project (SLP) held legal clinics and educational programs to support older adults and veterans with their life planning needs. VOLS SLP was proud to present at the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Vietnam War Veterans Day Resource Fair and Program hosted by Black Veterans for Social Justice, connecting veterans with resources and legal services available through VOLS. VOLS SLP held an execution clinic for older adults served through Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement alongside pro bono volunteers from Bloomberg and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, and held legal clinics with community partners Greenwich House’s Center on the Square and Westbeth Older Adult Centers.
Recent Testimony
VOLS SLP testified before the NYC Council Committee on Aging Preliminary Budget Hearing on the ongoing need to support access to free legal services for the growing low-income older adult population in New York City. We also testified before the NYC Council Committee on Veterans Preliminary Budget Hearing highlighting the legal needs of New York City’s veteran community, and the critical importance of ensuring continued funding for veteran focused services and programs.
TD Five Boro Bike Tour
Ride for Team VOLS in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour! Join us on Sunday, May 4, for an epic ride through NYC on 40 miles of car-free streets, all while supporting access to justice! Visit our website to learn more and secure your spot.
Support Us While You Shop
Stock up on cards, gifts, and party invitations at Minted and save 20% with our exclusive discount code. Even better – Minted will donate 10% back to us with your purchase. It’s the perfect way to shop and give back at the same time. Use code: FUNDRAISEVOLS.
Join the VOLS Community
- If you are affiliated with a VOLS partner law firm or company and would like to volunteer, please contact your company’s pro bono counsel.
- Make a donation to support VOLS’ free civil legal services: Click here to donate.
- Forward this page and ask your friends to sign up for the VOLS e-newsletter at www.volsprobono.org/join.