COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES IN EAST PALO ALTO INC
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Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide transformative legal services that enable diverse communities in East Palo Alto and beyond to achieve a secure and thriving future.
About This Cause
In 2002, seeking to combat historic forces of inequity and discrimination, our community banded with legal advocates to form Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto. Our mission is to provide transformative legal services that enable diverse communities in East Palo Alto and beyond to achieve a secure and thriving future. To that end, we specialize in three legal areas – immigration, housing, and economic advancement – and partner with grassroots community groups, schools, churches, and other local organizations. We've seen how low-income communities and communities of color in East Palo Alto and surrounding areas are subject to the systemic forces of exclusion, inequity, and exploitation. In response, our team of advocates partners with the community to break down systemic barriers and to train and support community members to navigate the legal system and exercise their strength, power, and rights. Our impact is magnified by the support we receive from our impassioned volunteers at law firms, corporations, and law schools and from members of our giving community. Inclusive Communities for Immigrants: CLSEPA’s Immigration Program focuses on helping immigrant survivors of domestic violence and other crimes, refugees and asylum seekers, immigrant youth, and immigrants facing deportation. We also empower our immigrant community through know-your-rights presentations so that all can feel secure and safely interact with law enforcement. We are a founding member of the San Mateo County Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and we engage in local and state advocacy ensure that our community remains a safe space for all. Safe and Secure Housing for All: CLSEPA’s Housing Program works to keep tenants in their homes and ensure that families are living in habitable conditions. When evictions are unavoidable, we help reduce the hardship of moving and mitigate the cost so families can stabilize and recover quickly. Beyond direct services, we also champion affordable housing legislation and tenant protections to create institutional change. To combat the displacement epidemic and where legal representation is not possible, we operate a Rescue Housing Fund to provide rental assistance to tenants who cannot pay due a personal emergency, such as sickness or loss of work. Clearing Barriers on the Pathway to Success: CLSEPA’s Economic Advancement Program (EAP) helps community members maximize their earning potential and access opportunities for their families. We focus on protecting workers from wage theft, scams, and fraud and improving chances for future employment through record clearance for community members who face barriers due to their criminal records. We believe that no one should be barred from economic opportunity, and we aspire to make this a reality. These three programs often work together to tackle intersectional issues.