On Belonging
CLS Deputy Director of Operations and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Brenda Marrero on what it means to belong.
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Youth Justice Toolkit: Legal Aid Resources for Supporting Transition-aged Youth
This toolkit was researched, written, and created by CLS attorney Kee Tobar, for her project as a Stoneleigh Foundation Emerging…
SCOTUS Must End Employment Discrimination Against the LGBTQ+ Community
Update, June 15, 2020: Great news from the U.S. Supreme Court! The Supreme Court just ruled that that a federal…
Comments on Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Unfair Market Trade Practices
This week, Community Legal Services submitted comments to proposed rules issued by Pennsylvania’s Office of Attorney General. The rules seek…
CLS Submits Amicus Brief in Support of Iowa Legal Aid
CLS filed an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief in the Supreme Court of the United States urging the Court…
SSI: How to Appeal and How to Apply (in 11 languages)
Learn how to apply for SSI and appeal if your application is denied. In 11 languages. English Should I Apply…
Report: Mending the Safety Net – Why Pennsylvania Must Restore Its TANF Program to Protect Its Neediest Families
Today we observe the passage of “welfare reform” on August 22, 1996, which “ended welfare as we know it” and…
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…
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
Youth Justice Project
The Youth Justice Project can connect young people ages 16-24 to free legal help at Community Legal Services and Philadelphia…
Youth Justice: Ensuring Vulnerable Youth Successfully Transition Into Adulthood and out of Poverty
Billie Washington was struggling to make ends meet. A former home care attendant, she was no longer able to work…
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…
Philadelphia Shows Steady Progress Collecting Property Taxes While Also Helping Homeowners
Philadelphia’s tax one-year non-collection rate hit a low of 3.9% in 2017, according to a report out in February from…
Get Ready, Get Set: PA Prepares for Clean Slate Implementation
In 2018, Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania signed the Clean Slate Act. With its signing, Pennsylvania became the first state
