CARPLS August News You Can Use

Hotline Number 312-738-9200

August 2016

CARPLS Launche s New Website

You may have noticed that there's been a lot of "out with the old and in with the new" at CARPLS this year. We have new branding that features our updated logo and color palette. We have refreshed our newsletter and social media pages.

In July, we took another big step forward by launching our new and improved website.

"We provide amazing, professional services at CARPLS and we wanted that to be reflected in everything we put our name on," says Harlene Ellin, director of communications. "It is essential that the website looks and works its best. It is where the majority of our clients, volunteers and donors go when seeking information about our organization."

The website has a fresh, clean, contemporary aesthetic that uses visual elements - photography, video, infographics and iconography - to engage visitors.

"People instinctively respond to visuals and no longer have the time or patience to slog


	CARPLS' new website features a variety of visual elements.

through dense blocks of copy to find what they are looking for," Harlene says.

The CARPLS leadership team worked with web designer Barry Kafka of Chicago's Kafka Design to provide a user friendly experience for site visitors. The site is now designed so our clients, volunteers and donors intuitively know where to go when seeking information that is relevant to their particular interests. The site also boasts newly-added features such as a media section, which houses press clippings, a photo gallery, a newsletter library and more.

"The CARPLS website checks all the boxes," Barry says. "Clients in a crisis can get instant help from their phones. Volunteers can begin their training hot off a web search. Supporters can easily donate with a few clicks."

Sheila Pont is the director of programming for the Pro Bono Network, a CARPLS partner organization. Sheila believes the new website will be a helpful resource for PBN clients.

"In my job at Pro Bono Network, I work with men and women everyday who have legal questions that go beyond the scope of what we do and it is so helpful to know that I can refer them to CARPLS instead of just turning them away," Sheila says. "And now with the updated website, I will be able to not only give them the hotline number, but also the website, where they can sign up for a scheduled appointment if that works better for them."

To check out the new website, please visit carpls.org.

Our ED Takes Off to the Great White North

CARPLS' Executive Director Al Schwartz journeyed to Canada in July to offer our neighbors to the north his expertise and insights on modeling CARPLS success in delivering free legal services and improving access to justice for those in need.

"Pro Bono Ontario is one of the primary legal aid providers in the province of Ontario and they are exploring the possibility of implementing a CARPLS-style central hotline system," says Al, who was invited to meet with the Toronto-based organization's board of directors and staff. "No such system currently exists in the province."

Al discussed the specifics of the CARPLS model - including our central hotline system, custom case management software and knowledge management capabilities. He also made the case for how such a model could increase access to justice for low income families in Ontario.

Lynn Burns, PBO's executive director, says the organization extended their invitation to Al because "[w]e think CARPLS represents the gold standard for telephone advice."

"Pro Bono Ontario is committed to making our services as accessible and user friendly as possible. We offer court-based self-help centers and remote services, but are always looking for ways to improve."

Burns says PBO benefitted from Al's input and advice during his two-day visit.

"We are grateful to Al for coming to Toronto and sharing his expertise," she says. "[He] really helped us think about how we can implement this service and increase access to justice in Ontario."

Al says he enjoyed meeting the PBO team and appreciated the opportunity to engage with them.

"It is clear that PBO is doing great work in Ontario, and it is impressive that they want to expand their services, so more people will be able to find their way through their justice system."

A Fond Farewell

We want to thank Aleida Lozano-Netzel for her service to CARPLS and our clients! Aleida was a staff attorney with CARPLS for more than 21 years. We wish her all the best as she starts a new chapter in her life in sunny California. She will be missed!

What our Clients are Saying

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Please contact Harlene Ellin, Director of Communications, at [email protected].