A Look Back at a Momentous Year for MAP | |
In this newsletter, we’re pleased to share more about our achievements and challenges in providing access to justice last year. | |
Across all of the programs that we administer–including Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Farmworker Legal Services, Michigan Poverty Law Program, Michigan Elder Justice Initiative, Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project, Family Law Project, and Michigan Immigrant Rights Center–we closed over 8,000 cases in 2022.
We served over 17,800 people–assisting them in gaining housing stability, family safety, and financial security.
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3,964 cases were housing-related, including eviction and foreclosure prevention, promoting safe and stable housing for families.
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2,268 were individual rights cases, including 552 expungements, providing individuals with better opportunities for stable jobs and affordable housing.
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723 were family cases, including custody matters, divorces, and Personal Protection Orders, to secure safety for survivors of domestic violence. | |
Beyond that, we closed 173 consumer protection cases, 130 employment cases, and 280 income maintenance cases. We continued to offer specialized outreach to particularly vulnerable communities, including older adults, farmworkers, victims of crime, and immigrant communities. | |
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2022 came with its fair share of obstacles, as the housing crisis brought on by the 2020 economic recession and ongoing pandemic continued to impact our clients. The effects of this were evident in the significant number of housing cases we closed last year–nearly half of all our cases. However, our staff rose to the challenge, closing almost 4,000 cases and providing housing stability to hundreds of families.
In addition to the direct representation at our programs, Michigan Legal Help continued assisting thousands of self-represented clients in navigating the post-COVID legal landscape. MLH also facilitated the transition of case-handling software for all of the legal service providers in Michigan to improve service delivery state-wide.
Last year marked the 25th Anniversary of Farmworker Legal Services and Michigan Poverty Law Program and the 10th Anniversary of Michigan Legal Help. We proudly celebrated our time-honored programs and continued to develop new legal aid possibilities. In 2023, we look forward to our Legal Navigator Program's debut and further expanding our services to those in need.
We do this work to advance the safety, independence, and economic stability of those most affected by poverty, racism, and other structurally oppressive systems–and you help to make it possible. Because of our supporters, we can continue to increase access to justice and work toward systemic solutions, and we are incredibly grateful.
Please consider donating today to support our continued effort to make justice a reality for all Michiganders.
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Interested in Legal Aid Work?
Here are some ways you can make a difference!
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Join Our Team
We are seeking new team members who share our passion for providing access to justice to those who need it most. Visit our employment page for full postings.
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Volunteer
MAP welcomes volunteer attorneys in each of our counties and programs. To volunteer, please complete our Pro Bono Attorney Registration Form.
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Give
Through your contributions, we can provide safety and security to thousands of Michigan families. Visit the link below to make a non-attorney donation, or click here to make an attorney donation.
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Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our colleague, Eva Alvarez. Eva served as the Public Policy Coordinator and DOJ Accredited Representative for MIRC. Eva was unwavering in her commitment to fighting for farmworker and immigrant rights, as reflected by this message she shared for a post in June 2022:
There are days I wake up and ask myself, "Am I living my purpose?”
It is particular memories I hold dear to my heart that remind me of my purpose. I do this work because it is the right thing to do. We live in a world where we are still fighting so many years of injustice and tackling one case, one client, and one issue at a time. We are battling years of exploitation, poverty, and inhumane treatment of certain groups of people.
I held the hand of one of my beloved clients for the last time--not just as a client, but as a living person. He was an immigrant from Honduras with so many aspirations in life. He worked at an egg farm from sunrise to sundown to help provide for his family.
He was comatose following severe injuries that were sustained when he was hit by a truck while driving an all-terrain vehicle. He was denied medical care due to limitations on his medical coverage. He had no immediate family in the U.S.
When a family member contacted MIRC, we stepped in to ensure that he received the treatment he critically needed, but more than anything, for him to be seen as a human and not as a profit. He is one of many, and the real answer is a systemic change that will only occur through a collective movement–and that is why I do what I do.
Eva’s passion for fighting injustice and creating change inspires all of us at MAP. We mourn her loss but celebrate her life.
Rest in peace, Eva.
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MAP IT and MLH at LSC Technology Conference
MAP IT and Michigan Legal Help traveled to LSC's Innovations in Technology Conference in Arizona at the end of January.
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I do this work because...
We are excited to share more responses to the prompt "I do this work because..." from our team:
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Onshonta Gavin, HR Specialist at MAP, on her inspiration for working in legal aid:
"I do this work because I come from the communities that MAP serves, and I have witnessed firsthand the disparities that exist within the legal system. I'm thankful to be able to contribute by helping to provide legal representation for those who would otherwise lack the necessary resources but need them most."
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Alison Hirschel, MEJI Managing Attorney, shares why she works in legal aid:
"I do this work because there is enormous joy and satisfaction in fighting injustice and helping others and no better way to use my skills or time. My conviction that if one can help achieve justice, one must, is a legacy I gained from my parents' Holocaust history and a goal I tried to pass on to my children. Even after 37 years, the work continues to be compelling, intriguing, challenging, and rewarding. I am so proud of my capable, compassionate colleagues and the elder justice network we are building together. I am deeply grateful for MAP's clear vision and wise and supportive leadership. I feel so lucky that the work I do and the place I work are the perfect matches for the life I want to lead!"
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Please help us spread the word about these upcoming community events and resources. | |
Changes to Food Assistance Program (FAP) Benefits | |
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Families receiving food assistance through SNAP should prepare for the end of the increase in benefits that helped address food insecurity during the pandemic due to recent federal legislation. In March, the additional benefits won't be issued.
More information
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Family Law Assistance Project (FLAP) Clinic
March 8, 2023, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Oakland County Friend of the Court building
230 Elizabeth Lake Road
Pontiac, MI 48341
Who should attend?
Individuals with low income, who are U.S. Citizens or eligible undocumented immigrants; who need legal services in Oakland Country or live in Oakland County; whose circumstances are related to a domestic Personal Protection Order (PPO), or family law issues such as divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, minor guardianship; etc.; and who are not represented by an attorney.
Clinic intake form
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New MDHHS Bilingual Hotline for Migrant workers
The MDHHS Office of Migrant Affairs has launched a bilingual hotline to help migrant workers & their families get info about the COVID-19 vaccine & other health-related matters. The toll-free number is
1-833-SIAYUDA (1-833-742-9832).
For more info, visit https://bit.ly/3xIQrf6
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Free Legal Clinic: Wexford/Missaukee Friend of the Court
March 14, 2023, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Wexford County Lake Street Building
401 N. Lake Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Do you need help with a legal matter but can't afford an attorney?
- Volunteer attorneys are available to assist you and answer questions.
- You may attend for questions you have about any legal matter.
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Guardian and Conservator Training
March 14, 2023, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Oakland County Friend of the Court building
230 Elizabeth Lake Road
Pontiac, MI 48341
Who should attend?
Guardians and conservators that are looking for training material to assist them in their fiduciary duties.
Participants can join by Zoom at:
835 5174 3934
Please pre-register by emailing probate@montcounty.org
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UIA Modernization Workgroup Identifies Goals that Benefit Workers, Employers
“As MPLP’s public benefits attorney, I have firsthand knowledge of the challenges jobless Michigan workers have experienced when attempting to file for and receive unemployment benefits," said Lisa Ruby. “When payments are delayed or denied due to technology, dire consequences can ensue, including utility shutoffs, lack of medical care, hunger, and homelessness. I am looking forward to working with other stakeholders to modernize and simplify the user experience so that an inability to navigate a website is not an obstacle to receiving benefits."
Read more
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Former MAP staff attorney Alicia Moon named Michigan Supreme Court General Counsel
As a staff attorney with the Michigan Advocacy Program, [Moon] provided legal services to survivors of domestic violence and conducted community education programs on elder abuse prevention.
“I am ready to get to work for the Court by providing advice on complex and sensitive issues, building relationships, and finding solutions that serve the people who interact with Michigan’s judiciary,” said Moon.
Read more
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