VOLS Monthly Newsletter

Pro Bono Month: October News

Happy National Pro Bono Month! This month we honored the VOLS 2026 Pro Bono Dean’s List at a lovely evening reception hosted by pro bono partner Skadden. It was a wonderful way to recognize the outstanding work of our 21 honorees who have made a tremendous impact in helping New Yorkers access justice. Visit our website to meet this year’s honorees and learn how they partner with VOLS to serve New Yorkers.

VOLS is proud to share our FY2026 Impact Report, highlighting our work providing innovative free civil legal services to New Yorkers. Thank you for your support.

Best,

Abja Midha | She/Her
Executive Director


2026 Denison Ray Civil Legal Services Staff Attorney Award

Crystal Giron, Senior Staff Attorney, VOLS Immigration Project, received a 2026 Denison Ray Civil Legal Services Staff Attorney Award presented by the New York State Bar Association for excellence in the civil legal services field. This recognition is a wonderful reflection of the dedication and commitment Crystal brings to our community and partners, and to her clients — resilient young people striving for safety, security, and opportunity.



Get to Know Our Team

As part of the VOLS Spotlight Series, we spoke with Jean Stevens, Director of the VOLS Benefits Law Project.

How does VOLS BLP help New Yorkers with limited resources access vital public benefits? 
The VOLS BLP helps New Yorkers with limited resources to access six types of public benefits: unemployment insurance (“UI”), the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (“SCRIE” and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (“DRIE”), the Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (“FHEPS”), the City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS), and the emergency rent arrears grant (“One-Shot Deal.”) These benefits are offered by New York State or City. They provide financial relief to tenants to help them survive, and in most cases, to keep their homes and avoid homelessness. We meet with New Yorkers in-person and over the phone, evaluate their eligibility for different benefits, and if eligible, we guide them through the application process. For our UI cases, we represent claimants in UI hearings with the state to challenge any denials of their benefits. For our housing-related benefits, we assist with completing the applications, gathering documents, and providing them to the city or state government agency. From there, we directly advocate to the agencies, urging them to approve. The agency may need additional documents or have a question about the applicant’s income, lease, or housing. We answer these questions and work with our clients to obtain whatever else is needed. Many applicants cannot navigate these additional steps without us. In addition, many cannot access benefits because they are wrongfully denied, disqualified, or have problems renewing. For this reason, we help them troubleshoot problems they have had in applying or keeping these benefits. If any of our clients are wrongfully denied, we assist with appeals. 

Is there an experience and/or client that you found particularly memorable?  
So many of my clients have been memorable. The major throughline for all BLP clients is that they’ve had some sort of tragic or extremely challenging circumstance in their life, like the death of a loved one, a severe medical emergency or medical condition, a childhood in and out of the shelter system, or a sudden lost job, causing them to lose income for months, or even years, and they now are desperate for help. Despite these circumstances, they are resilient and doing their best to navigate government systems and avoid catastrophe. I had a recent client who was severely injured in a car accident in July 2020 and, overnight, could no longer work; she had no income. Her adult son had such extreme diabetes that he developed a condition where he could barely walk, which made it impossible to work. She applied for Social Security Disability benefits, a long process, and was approved in 2026. Unfortunately, these benefits weren’t enough to pay the rent. With our help, she was able to get CityFHEPS, which will allow her to afford her rent going forward. Through all of this, she took every step necessary and kept her sense of humor.

Tell us about yourself. What makes a “good weekend” for you?  
A good weekend always includes sleeping in and taking time caring for my rather absurd houseplant collection – watering, repotting, futzing – with Antiques Roadshow or my favorite show of the moment on in the background. I love movies, so on Friday night I might catch one at BAM, my favorite theater. On Saturday, I’d start with bagels and coffee somewhere in the neighborhood or further afield — I’m always on the hunt for the perfect one. Then, since I love hole-in-the-wall thrift shopping and stoop finds, I’ll likely meet up with a friend to make my way to one of my favorites – the Big Reuse in Gowanus, Monk in Williamsburg, or L Train Vintage in Bushwick, or just stroll the streets of Park Slope. Saturday night would be either a friend’s party or a concert or comedy show. On Sunday, I’d try to do some bird watching in Prospect Park or Greenwood, then either head out to Jackson Heights or Sunnyside to see other friends and get Himalayan or Thai food (best in the city). Or I might go on a walk with a friend in the park, admiring the leaves, turtles, and famous swans. On Sunday night, I would help my partner cook an elaborate meal and watch our favorite show, alongside our very goofy cat. 


Testimony

VOLS Benefits Law Project Director Jean Stevens submitted written testimony to the joint Committee on General Welfare and Committee on Veterans hearing encouraging greater Council support for public benefit programs that allow veterans to remain in their homes and communities. A full copy of the written testimony is available on our website.

VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project Staff Attorney Liv Pickard testified before the NYC Council Committee on Women and Gender Equity jointly with the Committee on Criminal Justice supporting Council Member Lee’s proposed Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York regarding mental health protocols for pregnant and post-partum individuals in the custody of the department of correction. A copy of the testimony is available on our website.



Continuing Legal Education

We are proud to help advance the profession’s continued education through CLE presentations. VOLS SLP held a Clinic Training CLE for pro bono attorneys at Cleary Gottlieb and JPMorgan Chase and a CLE on Life Planning Document Execution for attorneys at MetLife. VOLS BLP held a CLE on UI Intake and Advice Clinics for pro bono volunteers at Latham & Watkins.



October Project Highlights

VOLS Benefits Law Project (BLP) held a rent freeze presentation and clinic at University Settlement supported by pro bono volunteers from Latham & Watkins, and at SAGE Harlem alongside pro bono attorneys from Akin, Fried Frank, Kirkland & Ellis, and Morrison & Foerster. BLP published a Housing Court Benefits Initiative Guidance Checklist for pro bono volunteers and continued our regular presence in Manhattan Housing Court with volunteers from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Goodwin

VOLS Immigration Project (IP) held DACA renewal clinics alongside pro bono attorneys from Debevoise & Plimpton and Paul, Weiss, and a screening clinic supported by pro bono attorneys from King & Spalding. The team continues holding weekly briefings on changing immigration law, policy, and trends for volunteer attorneys. 

VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project (IMLP) continued to hold in-person clinics for our incarcerated clients. This month, we held a clinic at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility with pro bono attorneys from A&O Shearman, Dechert, Fried Frank, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher and at Taconic Correctional Facility alongside pro bono attorneys from Bridgewater and Freshfields. The team also held a legal clinic at Rikers Island’s Rose M. Singer Center, supported by pro bono attorneys from Freshfields, Latham & Watkins, and NBC Sports.

VOLS Microenterprise Project (MEP) held a presentation on legal and other considerations for small business owners in collaboration with Societe Generale, Skadden, and NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Black Entrepreneurs NYC initiative. VOLS and Fordham Law’s Entrepreneurial Law Clinic co-hosted the NYC Small Business Pro Bono Forum, featuring a keynote address by Delia Awusi, Mom & Pop Czar, Office of the Mayor of New York City. MEP presented on worker cooperatives at the event. MEP was also on-site at Party on Park 2026 at East Harlem 125th Street Business Improvement District to meet with and provide information to NYC’s small business owners.

VOLS Senior Law Project (SLP) held an execution clinic supported by pro bono volunteers from MetLife, a drafting clinic alongside Cleary Gottlieb and JPMorgan Chase, and an intake and brief assistance clinic with Cardozo Law School and SAGE. SLP also held life planning presentations for older adults at Encore Community Services and for social service staff at Hudson Guild. 

VOLS SLP and pro bono volunteers from Cleary Gottlieb.



Team VOLS x TCS New York City Marathon

Team VOLS takes on the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon this Sunday, November 1. Join us in cheering on our incredible team as they run to help close the access to justice gap for New Yorkers in need of civil legal services. Visit our page to meet our team and make an impact.




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Enjoy 20% off Minted’s stationery and gifts when you shop using our exclusive discount code and Minted will donate 10% back to us. Use code: FUNDRAISEVOLS

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