TZEDEK DC INC
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Mission Statement
Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights of low-income DC residents dealing with often unjust, abusive, and illegal debt collection practices, as well as other consumer protection problems like credit reporting issues, identity theft, and predatory lending. The consequences of adverse court judgments in debt-related cases can be devastating for a family’s well-being and stability. Therefore, drawing upon a central tenet of Jewish teachings – “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice we shall pursue,” – Tzedek DC aims to level the playing field for low-income DC debtors by facilitating access to the civil justice system. By addressing debt-related legal issues before they become irreversible, catastrophic crises, Tzedek DC can enhance the overall stability and financial health of low-income DC families.
About This Cause
Legal Service Debt-related legal crises for low-income residents are a major, persistent problem in DC that, with legal counsel, can be avoided altogether – with success rates above 90% – or settled on terms that protect the client. For example, legal representation can be instrumental in cases involving insufficient proof by the collector, mistaken identity, when the amount claimed is wrong, the debt has already been paid, or the debt is too old to be collected under the governing law. Tzedek DC offers direct legal services at no cost to low-income and working-class DC residents with debt- and consumer-related legal issues. We are able to provide legal assistance free of charge through our partnerships with the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, community groups, and individual lawyers and law firms from the DC private bar. Policy Research and Reform Low-income debtors still face obstacles to fairness posed by various laws and court rules in the District of Columbia. To make the policy environment fairer to low-income and working-class debtors, Tzedek DC identifies and promotes desirable changes to existing laws and practices. This work encompasses legal and policy research, data gathering and analysis, and advocacy focused on the DC government. Community Outreach Tzedek DC’s community outreach is designed to spread preventive education and build trust with client communities. These activities increase the willingness of community members to seek legal assistance when future needs arise, while providing immediate practical education regarding consumer-related rights and responsibilities. Such preventive education helps DC residents proactively address their financial problems. Tzedek DC’s community outreach initiatives include distributing Know Your Rights materials in English and Spanish, in partnership with the United Planning Organization and the Hispanic National Bar Association. In particular, these materials spell out the rights of consumers under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and under DC laws. In addition, we co-teach financial literacy courses in partnership with the United Planning Organization, and offer follow-up legal services for course participants.