Utility affordability is a human rights and racial justice issue
People of color are disproportionately burdened by unaffordable utility service. Nationally, Black and Latinx households spend a greater percentage of…
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New SNAP time limit starting April 2020 for Philadelphians aged 18-50 who are not working and not exempt
Starting April 1, 2020, over 35,000 Philadelphians – and over 90,000 Pennsylvanians — will be newly subject to the SNAP…
The Heavy Price for Restoring One’s Name: Court Debt Bars Record Clearing
Contact with the criminal legal system comes with a price tag that a growing number of Americans cannot afford to…
TAKE ACTION: Tell Social Security Not to Create Additional Burdens for People with Disabilities!
NEW: Everything you need to know about this harmful proposed rule The Social Security Administration just announced that it wants…
Right to Counsel Passes Philadelphia City Council!
Right to Counsel passed unanimously in Philadelphia City Council on November 14! This bill guarantees low income tenants an attorney…
The Dangerous Weight of Water Debt
For years, Philadelphia operated an inefficient assistance program for low-income water customers, Philadelphia’s most economically vulnerable households. The program helped…
Data Shows that Our Holistic Parent Representation Helps Kids Too
For decades, the Family Advocacy Unit at Community Legal Services has provided holistic family defense for parents involved in child…
On Belonging
CLS Deputy Director of Operations and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Brenda Marrero on what it means to belong.
SCOTUS Must End Employment Discrimination Against the LGBTQ+ Community
It’s Time for the Supreme Court to End Employment Discrimination Against the LGBTQ+ Community. The following blog post was written by…
Roxanne Jones Fellowship Brings Opportunity, Connections
This summer, Community Legal Services (CLS) was thrilled to establish the Senator Roxanne Jones Fellowship to enable future leaders in…
Family Advocacy: How Holistic Family Defense Helps Children Thrive
The conversation about child welfare is changing, both locally and nationally. While over 440,000 children are in foster care on any given…
Don’t Let USDA Take Food Away from 3.1 Million Americans – Including over 100,000 Pennsylvanians.
Families Should Be Able to Take a Raise, Work More Hours, or Save for a Rainy Day Without Risking Losing their…
CLS Files Lawsuit Challenging Unconstitutional General Assistance Cuts
This afternoon, Community Legal Services (CLS) and Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of almost 12,000 low-income…
CLS BLOG: Automated Sealing in Action
Mr. Amos has a criminal record. Even though the charges against him were dismissed, they still remained on his record…
Clean Slate: Changing Lives by Sealing Criminal Records
In 2018, Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania signed the Clean Slate Act. With its signing, Pennsylvania became the first state
Saving Your Home and Water Service Through TAP
A recent Pew Charitable Trusts article highlighted a growing problem across the country – overdue water bills causing the loss of a…
