CALA's Sex Workers Activism Law Clinic Offering Online Screening

CALA's Sex Workers Activism Law Clinic, operated with SWOP-Chicago (Sex Workers Rights Project) will immediately start offering online screening for clients. 

In order to offer an effective, convenient method for sex workers to access free legal services, individuals can obtain, or be referred for, consultations about their legal issues, and follow-up appointments, by completing CALA-SWOP's online screening form: 

http://www.calachicago.org/swop-clinic-online-screening

A CALA attorney will respond to the form submission and offer information and advice, and/or arrange an in-person appointment at CALA's SWOP Activism Law Clinic, when additional services may be provided, including free representation. 

CALA's SWOP Community Activism Law Clinic is a free, full-service legal clinic for individuals involved in/affected by sex work, or have experienced sexual exploitation. The clinic is open for intakes of new cases, twice a month, with follow-up appointments as well as trainings and workshops occurring in between intakes sessions. It provides a wide-range of services from advice and community legal education to full representation. As always, all legal services, including full representation, are completely free of charge to clients.

The next clinics are March 15th (3-6pm) and March 16th (6-9pm) at 1700 S Loomis. 

http://www.calachicago.org/swop-clinic-online-screening

 

 

TOUCHING WORDS FROM A FORMER CLIENT

THANK YOU LETTER FROM A CLIENT:

Our Inspiration and Motivation 
 

CALA recently received a moving thank you letter from one of our former clients. She offered some very kind thanks that reminded us of why we do our work, and for which we are extremely grateful. 

Here is the letter, from an undocumented immigrant whose work authorization renewal was delayed. We helped her to negotiate successfully with her employer, and she's happily at work at a great job!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and generous sentiments with us: 

Editor's Note: CALA attorneys routinely stay past scheduled hours to ensure that all clients visiting our intake clinic hours are served. 






CALA to Provide Free Workshops for Expanded DACA/DAPA Applicants

CALA to Host Series of Free Workshops In February and March to Help Eligible Undocumented Immigrants to Apply for Expanded DACA, and to Get Documents Ready for DAPA Applications.

This Wednesday (February 18, 2015), the US government will begin accepting applications for the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program authorized by President Obama's executive actions on immigration. The program provides a temporary reprieve from deportation, along with work authorization, for eligible immigrants who came to the United States before age 16.

Created by the Obama administration in 2012, the eligibility requirements for DACA were expanded by the President last November. At that time, the President also created a comparable “deferred action” program for the parents of citizens and permanent residents: Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA). The government is expected to start accepting DAPA applications in May.

As part of CALA’s commitment to providing support for community organizing and activism, CALA will hold free DACA & DAPA workshops, in collaboration with three of its partners, as part of their respective campaigns on immigration.

CALA’s DACA/DAPA workshop series schedule:

February 18, 2015, 4-8PM (as part of Enlace-Chicago’s IL is Ready Campaign)

            Assistance to complete and file DACA applications (initial and renewals)

            Please contact Enlace at 773.542.9233 for location and to schedule an appointment

March 19, 2015, 4-8PM (as part of Enlace-Chicago’s IL is Ready Campaign)

            Assistance to complete and file DACA applications (initial and renewals)

            Please contact Enlace at 773.542.9233 for location and to schedule an appointment

March 20, 2015, 4-9PM (as part of Centro de Trabajadores Unidos: Immigrant Workers Project’s (CTU) Executive Actions on Immigration Outreach Campaign)

Assistance to complete and file DACA applications (initial and renewals)

            Eligibility review and materials preparation for prospective DAPA applicants

Please contact Raymundo Valdez at 773-349-2806 or rvaldez@ctu-iwp.org for location and to schedule an appointment

March 21, 2015, 9AM-12PM (as part of Centro de Trabajadores Unidos: Immigrant Workers Project’s (CTU) Executive Actions on Immigration Outreach Campaign)

Assistance to complete and file DACA applications (initial and renewals)

            Eligibility review and materials preparation for prospective DAPA applicants

Please contact Raymundo Valdez at 773-349-2806 or rvaldez@ctu-iwp.org for location and to schedule an appointment

April 17, 2015, 4-8PM (as part of Enlace-Chicago’s IL is Ready Campaign) 

            Assistance to complete and file DACA applications (initial and renewals)

            Please contact Enlace at 773.542.9233 for location and to schedule an appointment

April 29, 2015, 4-8PM (as part of Enlace-Chicago’s IL is Ready Campaign) 

            Assistance to complete and file DACA applications (initial and renewals)

            Please contact Enlace at 773.542.9233 for location and to schedule an appointment

For individuals who are not eligible for DACA or DAPA, CALA will provide legal support for workshops hosted by the Organized Communities Against Deportation. For more information about these workshops, get in touch with OCAD: https://www.facebook.com/OCADIL

Stay tuned…once DAPA applications are available, CALA will release our DAPA application completion/submission workshops schedule. 

 

CALLING ALL ACTIVIST-LAWYERS! CALA Is Hiring...

COMMUNITY ACTIVISM LAW ALLIANCE JOB OPENINGS:

STAFF ATTORNEY & TEMPORARY ATTORNEY

The Community Activism Law Alliance (“CALA”) is a new legal services organization in Chicago that uses a “community activism lawyering” philosophy. Our unique model brings free legal services directly into underserved communities by establishing “community activism law clinics” with activist community organizations. Each clinic is developed and operated collaboratively with a partner organization, and supports the organization’s efforts to make systemic changes. Our current clinic partners are Enlace Chicago, Immigrant Youth Justice League/Organized Communities Against Deportations, and Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP) – Chicago. In addition, we offer community legal education and limited legal support to other activist organizations. CALA is looking for two highly motivated attorneys with genuine interest in community lawyering, connecting the law with grassroots activism, and being part of a new legal services model to be a part of our early development.

The attorneys will work directly in communities on the south and west sides of Chicago in need of legal assistance; all client interactions take place in the offices of our community partners. CALA’s clinics provide legal services in several areas of law, including immigration, housing, family, criminal records, labor/employment, and education. Selected candidates will be expected to handle cases in at least two areas and be able to quickly learn basic knowledge of additional areas.  They must also be prepared to work non-traditional hours—some evenings and the occasional weekend day—and in non-traditional, multiple locations; in exchange, they are afforded great flexibility in work schedule.

Preference may be given to applicants who are fluent in Spanish, have experience in immigration law, and/or have experience in community lawyering.

As CALA is a new organization, the starting salary for the staff attorney will be $28,000-$35,000, depending on experience. However, we hope to offer quick salary increases, as it is a fundraising priority for the organization. The salary for the temporary attorney will be determined based upon experience and qualifications, and the position will be for a minimum of six months.

CALA is an equal opportunity workplace and is committed to working closely and effectively with the communities that we serve. Individuals self-identifying as people of color, LGBTQI, working-class or poor, persons with a disability, or as otherwise having backgrounds and experiences underrepresented in the legal profession are highly encouraged to apply.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and salary history to hiring@calachicago.org.

LOOK AT WHAT CALA HAS DONE IN ITS FIRST THREE MONTHS

It’s been an amazing three months for CALA; for a brand-new organization, what we’ve been able to achieve has far surpassed our expectations. Our new volunteer development associate, Theresa Nguyen, put together a 3 month scrapbook to capture CALA's achievements in its first three months. 

 

CHECK OUT THE SCRAPBOOK HERE!

 

We’ve opened three clinics.

Since October 14th, the opening of our Enlace Community Activism Law Clinic, we’ve created three free clinics for undocumented immigrants, day laborers, and sex workers (which just opened mid-December).

We’ve already helped over 200 families.

In slightly over 2 months, CALA has helped over a 100 families. We have provided free legal services to approximately 90 clients through our 3 clinics, and many more through our workshops and trainings.

We’ve developed an amazing board.

With the recent addition of Anthony Borich of Jenner & Block, CALA’s board now has 8 dedicated, passionate members with diverse skills and talents. They’ve put together a development plan for CALA that we’ll be implementing in 2015.

We’ve supported numerous organizations through our recently launched community legal education and activism support initiatives.  

In addition to the cases we have helped through our clinics, we’ve supported Chicago’s most disadvantaged communities through several legal rights education events. We also took on some organizational cases to help improve the activism capacities of our community partners, as well as a few other activist organizations.

Our success could not have happened without your support. Thank you! Thank you!

CALA has several exciting projects planned for 2015, and we are hopeful that we’ll be able to sustain and build upon our initial success.

 

CALA one of four organizations for Harvard Law's Spring Break Pro Bono Trip

Harvard Law Students  Coming to Chicago to Help CALA with DACA/DAPA workshops during their Spring Break

CALA is honored to be one of the four organizations hosting Harvard Law students as part of HLS' Spring Break Trips 2015. Sponsored by the law school's Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs, the trips provides opportunities for students to use their spring breaks to do important pro bono work in Chicago, Alabama, the Mississippi Delta, and South Texas. The trips run from March 14-22, 2015.

Students coming to Chicago will prepare, conduct outreach for, and deliver at least two legal assistance workshops for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications and renewals, along with Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) preparation in Little Village and South Chicago. Using CALA's community activism lawyering model, the students will collaborate with community activist organizations, including Enlace-Chicago and Centro de Trabajadores Unidos-Immigrant Workers Project. In addition, the students will be able to observe and explore community activism lawyering in action at CALA's clinics, in court, and at other community organizing activities. 

Click here for more information about HLS' Spring Break Trips 2015.

 

 

 

 

SWOP-Chicago Community Activism Clinic Launched

To commemorate the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, CALA opened its clinic for sex workers--only the second of its kind in the country--in partnership with SWOP-Chicago. 

CALA launched its third community activism law clinic in partnership with SWOP (Sex Workers Outreach Project)-Chicago on December 14th.  Launched as part of SWOP's week-long commemoration of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, it is only the second clinic dedicated to the legal needs of sex workers in the country. The International Day was started in 2003 as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle. Since then, the day, December 17th, has empowered people from cities around the world to come together and organize against discrimination and remember victims of violence. In addition to launching the clinic, CALA also participated in SWOP's march and vigil. Learn more about SWOP's commemoration events here. 

CALA's SWOP Community Activism Clinic is a free, full-service legal clinic for individuals involved in/affected by sex work, or have experienced sexual exploitation. The clinic is open for intakes of new cases, twice a month, with follow-up appointments as well as trainings and workshops occurring in between intakes sessions. It provides a wide-range of services from advice and community legal education to full representation. As always, all legal services, including full representation, are completely free of charge to clients.

The Inspiring Entry to our SWOP Community Activism Law Clinic

The Inspiring Entry to our SWOP Community Activism Law Clinic

Thomas Alaan, one of our board members, was among the CALA representatives at SWOP's march and vigil.

A New Board Member for the New Year: Anthony Borich

Jenner & Block LLP's Anthony Borich Joins CALA Board

 

CALA is thrilled to start the new year--and CALA's first full year--with our newest board member, Anthony B. Borich. In addition to his commercial litigation skills, he brings with him firsthand experience and knowledge of CALA's unique model: community activism lawyering.  

Anthony is an associate in the Chicago office of Jenner & Block LLP.  Tony represents clients in litigation, mediation, and through corporate counseling.  Tony’s work focuses on contract and fraud litigation, with a focus on outsourcing disputes, licensing disputes, and other technology and services disputes.  Tony also represents clients in patent infringement litigation.  Tony maintains an active pro bono practice, including civil rights litigation, habeas petitions, landlord-tenant disputes, and Clean Water Act cases.

Prior to joining Jenner, Tony served as a Public Interest Law Initiative Fellow at the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing in Chicago.  In law school, Tony worked with community organizers and legal services organizations in Boston implementing the community activism lawyering model.   

Tony graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 2009.  In 2006, He graduated with Honors and Distinction and Phi Beta Kappa from Iowa State University, where he was awarded the Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award.

CALA Seeking Spring and Summer Law Student Interns

Spring & Summer 2015 Law Student Internships with the Community Activism Law Alliance

Community Activism Law Alliance (“CALA”) is a new legal services organization in Chicago that uses a “community activism lawyering” philosophy. Our unique model brings free legal services directly into underserved communities by establishing clinics with activist community organizations. Each clinic is developed and operated collaboratively with a partner organization, and supports the organization’s efforts to make systemic changes to unjust conditions and empower those directly affected by those conditions. Our current clinic partners are Enlace Chicago, Immigrant Youth Justice League/Organized Communities Against Deportations, and Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP) – Chicago. In addition, we offer community legal education and limited legal support to other activist organizations.

CALA is looking for highly motivated and independent law students (2 for the spring, and 3 for the summer) interested in community lawyering to be our interns in the  spring and summer of 2015. Students will participate in all aspects of the community activism legal clinics, including client intake and screening, advising clients, assisting clients to complete legal forms, and legal research. Interns with 711 licenses may appear in court and/or draft pleadings on behalf of clients. Students will be exposed to all areas of civil poverty law, including immigration, housing, criminal records, employment, education, and family law.

Interns will also design and present community legal education workshops, working closely with community partners to assess their needs and provide accessible legal expertise. Interns will also have the unique opportunity to work closely with a large coalition of immigrants’ rights groups to both educate communities on the new administrative relief options available to them and to directly assist clients applying for relief in the Chicagoland area.

Our law students will work directly in the communities most in need of legal assistance in Chicago and must be willing to travel around the city (though a car is not required) and to work non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends. Multilingual students are especially invited to apply. All client interactions take place in the offices of our community partners. Volunteers should commit to a minimum of 10 hours for spring, 35 hours per week for summer, with flexible scheduling available.

CALA is an equal opportunity workplace and is committed to working closely and effectively with the communities that we serve. Individuals self-identifying as people of color, LGBTQI, working-class or poor, persons with a disability, or as otherwise having backgrounds and experiences underrepresented in the legal profession are highly encouraged to apply.

To apply, interested students should send a resume, writing sample, and letter of interest to: Sharlyn@CALAChicago.org.