DC Access to Justice Commission

The proposed 86% reduction to the Access to Justice Initiative will strip access to legal help from an estimated 40,000 DC residents. These are not DC values and the Council must prioritize this program to reverse. Learn more below.

2/2 cc: @anitabondsdc, @robertwhite_dc, @CMCHenderson, @donicrawford, @brianneknadeau, @CMBrookePinto, @CMFrumin, @CMLewisGeorgeW4, @CMZParker5, @charlesallen, @CMWendellFelder, @trayonwhite

1/2 Last week, 60+ witnesses came to support the ATJ Initiative. Our summary and video clips are on our resource page, dcaccesstojustice.org/access-public-… cc: @councilofdc @chmnmendelson @dccouncilbudget

So glad you were there to support access to justice! instagram.com/p/DYBD6URFcYB/…

Great to hear about how @SJP_DC helps young people start on a stronger life path.

"Legal Aid restored my faith in the justice system." -- C.S., @LegalAidDC client. This is what the ATJ Initiative is all about. @CMBrookePinto

Thanks to DC Consortium of Legal Services Providers co-chair Su Sie Ju for describing how critical civil legal aid is to our District safety net. @dcbarfoundation

The DC Consortium of Legal Services Providers speaks for 36 organizations that offer critical legal help. Thanks to Su Sie Ju, Co-Chair, for adding its voice to the hearing and pointing out how devastating it would be for our civil justice system.

Many clients have waited all day to testify about the importance of having access to legal help. Thank you for adding your voice to this important hearing. @LegalAidDC

Big, huge kudos to Maria from @AJEInc for being our LAST in-person witness today. The commitment of our colleagues to demonstrate support for Access to Justice is inspiring! VIRTUAL starting now!

S.C. offered compelling testimony about how @rising4justice helped her protect her housing and how eviction can happen to anyone one job loss away from a crisis. @DCBarFoundation @CMBrookePinto

Providers use data to ensure they continue to strengthen their outreach and effectiveness @dc_jwj

@EmpowerDC Learn more about the Initiative's housing work at dcaccesstojustice.org/wp-content/upl…

Giving tenants education about the eviction process makes them more likely to participate in their court case and resolve their case w/out facing eviction. @EmpowerDC

The Council heard a lot about rising need today. Here is just a small snapshot of what the community is experiencing.

We are so grateful to @LegalAidDC and all the individuals who came out today to talk about the importance of access to civil legal aid!

It was exciting to hear about @dcrbridge - a transformative ATJ Initiative investment that offers a single point of entry to access legal help - thanks to @DCBarFoundation and @LegalAidDC for your work in building this (and @NLSP_DC before them!)

It is inspiring to hear from @supportKIND about the critical value of legal help and what it can help young people accomplish. @CMBrookePinto @DCBarFoundation

What an inspiration to hear from a D.C. resident who stepped up to care for his 4 younger siblings who may have otherwise been placed in foster care. Legal help made this a reality. @DcKincare @CMBrookePinto

We admire the many clients who bravely told their stories today about how legal help changed their life. Your voice is powerful. @LegalAidDC @DCAffordableLaw @DCBarProBono @opencityadv @DCCADV @DcKincare @EmpowerDC @BreadfortheCity @CMBrookePinto @OVSJG_DC