Impact Stories
Michelle’s Story
A single mother of two children, “Michelle” worked as a personal care assistant, a job that gave her flexibility to…
Crystal’s Story
When Crystal Wells’s name came to the top of the waitlist in Franklin County for a Housing Choice Voucher, she quickly submitted her application.
Natasha’s Story
“When DUA stopped my unemployment benefits, I was under extreme pressure. Thanks to Community Legal Aid for aiding me in…
Hampden County Client Jorge Ortiz-Vazquez
In another powerful impact case, CLA Attorney Uri Strauss won an important victory for Massachusetts tenants in Morse v. Ortiz-Vazquez.…
Offering Second Chances
Criminal records (known in Massachusetts as Criminal Offender Record Information, or “CORI”) can make it hard to find a job…
Tony’s Story
Antonio Rivera, who goes by “Tony,” was referred to Community Legal Aid through our Worcester Medical-Legal Partnership* with UMass Memorial…
Lynda & Ada’s Story
Lynda (left) and Ada (right) with fair housing Attorney Tanya Mamootil Client case: Lynda & Ada’s Story Lynda and Ada have…
Joey’s Story
Client case: Joey’s Story One case DCF referred to CLA’s Family Preservation Project involved a 5-year-old boy, “Joey.” DCF told Joey’s…
Martin’s Story
Client case: Martin’s Story In one case, a doctor at UMass referred a patient, “Martin,” suffering from COPD, asthma, and cancer…
Michael
Community Legal Aid recently won an important case for a disabled worker. A graduate of Anna Maria College with a…
Elizabeth’s Family
A week before Christmas, “Elizabeth” and her two young children were facing an eviction in housing court. Elizabeth had fallen…
Sammy’s Story
CLA’s Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime (CLAVC) Initiative helps victims of crime with civil legal problems related to…
Joel
Joel had a medical insurance problem that was seriously impacting his quality of life. Feeling desperate and taken advantage of, he turned to CLA.
Sasha
Sasha came to CLA in early 2018. A single mother of three children, ages 11, 13, 15, she had recently…
Laurie
Laurie was working two full-time jobs to support her children and make payments on her mortgage. When her home was illegally foreclosed on and sold at auction, she had 48 hours to leave. CLA helped Laurie to overturn the eviction and keep her home.
Mindy
When Mindy’s ex-partner was jailed for abuse, she thought she and her daughter could start afresh. But when he was released from jail two years later, he tracked her down and threatened further abuse. CLA helped Mindy protect her family from the abuser, permanently.
TracyLee
“My stomach dropped when I saw the eviction letter… We didn't do anything wrong, but an eviction just feels so personal. This is where my kids have grown up.” CLA helped TracyLee prevent an illegal eviction and stay in her home.
Manuel
CLA halted the foreclosure process until a decision could be made on Mr. Ramos' disability claim.
Linh’s Story
Linh became aware that she had miscalculated her travel schedule by one day and she had been out of the country for more than the 30 days allowed by Social Security regulations. As a result, Linh’s SSI, her only source of income, was terminated.
Ted
The bank notified Ted that the check he was asked to deposit was fraudulent, his account was overdrawn, and he owed almost $2,000...
Joy’s Home
Community Legal Aid represented “Joy,” a single mother of two young children living in Fitchburg. Joy’s apartment had several major…
Jack’s Story
*Jack uses the gender neutral pronouns “they/them.” During Jack’s service in the U.S. Navy, they survived a number of traumatic…
Fighting Housing Discrimination
The Fair Housing team recently assisted a tenant, “Carol.” The housing authority which administers Carol’s Section 8 rental assistance sent…
Dolores’s Story
“Dolores” was rushed to the emergency room by ambulance and hospitalized with acute pneumonia for more than a week. Despite…
Anna’s Story
“Anna” came to the United States from Poland after meeting her fiancé online. They were married almost immediately after her…
Edward’s Story
In one case handled by CLA’s CLAVC Unit, 83-year-old “Edward” had been the victim of a sophisticated scam in which…
Matthew’s Story
Pictured: Matthew (Left) with Education Law, Staff Attorney Molly Jane Thoms (Right) Last winter, CLA Staff Attorney Molly Jane Thoms…
Jessi’s Story
In one case handled by CLA’s CORI/Re-Entry Unit, Staff Attorney Annie Maurer was able to help a client, “Jessi,” a…
Jim’s Story
“Jim” is an elderly Veteran who served on active duty during the Vietnam war. He was referred to CLA by…
Giving
Spotlight
Antonio Rivera, who goes by “Tony,” was referred to Community Legal Aid through our Worcester …
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