September 15, 2020

Justice Matters: September 2020

BY Community Legal AidiContact

CLA Part of Coalition Defending State’s Moratorium on Evictions

“We believe today’s thoughtful Superior Court order appropriately recognizes that the Moratorium law plays a vital role in Massachusetts’ ongoing and comprehensive effort to defeat the spread of COVID-19 and should remain in place as long as the emergency persists,” the coalition of organizations said in a statement to MassLive. “This is especially critical in the communities hardest hit by the disease – the communities of color and low-income neighborhoods our client groups represent.” Read More

New Coordinator for Worcester Fair Housing Project

Community Legal Aid is pleased to announce that Genesis Valverde has joined the organization as the Worcester Fair Housing Project’s testing coordinator.

A native of Southern California, Ms. Valverde recently returned to the United States after completing two years in the Peace Corps, serving in Armenia as a community development volunteer. Prior to her service in the Peace Corps, Ms. Valverde worked as a case manager at a domestic violence shelter. She is a graduate of Utah State University where she earned a degree in Social Work. Read more

CLA Announces New Pro Bono Partnership with Murphy & Rudolf, LLP

Community Legal Aid (CLA) Pro Bono is proud to announce an exciting partnership with the Worcester-based law firm of Murphy & Rudolf, LLP. Made up of eight attorneys specializing in the areas of criminal defense, civil litigation, and family law, Murphy & Rudolf has committed to taking on pro bono (volunteer) cases amounting to 100 hours over the next year. Their generosity to our local community is commendable and encouraging, especially when the pandemic has exacerbated already thin lines of support for our most vulnerable community members. Read more

Client Spotlight: Michael’s Story

Michael Shulman worked for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections and Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Michael had been plagued by severe depression for years. He underwent electro-convulsive therapy around 2015. Sadly the treatment failed to work, and it left him permanently disabled with short-term memory loss and a brain injury that limits his ability to learn a new trade or job.

After his brain injury, Michael found work as a driver for autistic adults, even as he continued to suffer from severe depression. In February 2020, his doctor recommended a new treatment for his depression. The treatment had a sedative effect that prevented Michael from driving for 24 hours after each treatment. Michael explained to his employer that he would be unable to work two days each week for a few months, due to his treatment. His employer fired Michael, but claimed that he had quit voluntarily. Consequently, the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) denied Michael’s claim for unemployment insurance benefits. Due to the pandemic and his brain injury, Michael could not find another job… Read More

Community Legal Aid Receives Funds for Elder Law

Community Legal Aid wishes to thank Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, Elder Services of Berkshire County, Greater Springfield Senior Services, Highland Valley Elder Services, LifePath, Inc. and WestMass Elder Care, for awarding a total of over $100,000 of supplemental funds to support its work with elders during the COVID-19 emergency. The funding was made possible by the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Read more

Pro Bono Spotlight: Attorney Abra C. Allexenberg

Attorney Abra C. Allexenberg, solo practitioner and owner of Allexenberg Law, helped a UMass Memorial patient obtain necessary and appropriate educational services based on his developmental needs.

The young patient suffers from depression, anxiety and a traumatic childhood. In school, his mood disorder makes it difficult for him to communicate effectively with his teachers and peers. Due to an incident at school, administrators were seeking suspension. The patient’s mother requested assistance to determine available services for her son. Working with CLA’s pro bono project, Attorney Allexenberg stepped in and took the case. She worked with the patient’s mother to obtain a psychiatric evaluation of the patient, a revised 504 education plan addressing the patient’s needs, and assisted the family in connecting with a Vocational Rehabilitation Coordinator for Transition Planning. The patient has had near perfect attendance, and is staying on track with his educational goals… Read more

Save the Date: Pro Bono Month Event

October is Pro Bono Celebration Month! CLA is excited to celebrate the volunteers who make our community great. Follow us on social media to receive updates on the release of the 2020 Pro Bono Honor Roll and the announcement of an exciting event happening the last week in October. Stay tuned! Visit our pro bono calendar

JOIN THE FIGHT

Whether you want to volunteer your services as part of our pro bono program, are interested in joining CLA’s passionate team of staff, or are looking to make a financial contribution to our work, YOU can make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors. Get involved