Be the change. My decision to work with VLP.
Lesson: Be the change. My decision to work with VLP.
Hi everyone! My name is Senovia Cuevas and I will be working with the Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) for the next semester as a Pro Bono Scholar. After one week with VLP, I have been fortunate enough to sit in on court proceedings, attend an outreach event, and assist in a planning meeting with the Pro Bono group. In this short time, it has become clear that VLP’s services are essential to helping our clients and our community prosper.
Through this blog, I hope to share what I learn during my time here in a way that is helpful and relevant to you!
- If you are having legal trouble, I hope this blog will encourage you to take action and call VLP for resources.
- If you are an attorney, I hope this blog will inspire you to volunteer your time on a case or two.
- If you are a community member, I hope this blog helps you recognize and appreciate the essential service that VLP provides to our community.
VLP is a legal services organization providing free legal services to low income people in Western New York. VLP provides legal services through staff attorneys as well as hundreds of private attorneys who volunteer their time to take VLP cases pro bono, at no cost to the client. I encourage you to look through the website at the wide variety of legal services provided through VLP.
There is a significantly high need for legal representation in our court system. Unfortunately, many individuals simply do not have the means to afford it and end up navigating the complex system on their own. VLP works to rectify this problem by providing our clients with free legal representation in civil cases.
In an effort to reach even more people, VLP also has the following in person legal clinics in the community: Attorney of the Morning where clients receive same day representation for eviction defense in Buffalo City Court; the Family Court Help Desk for advice on Family Court matters; the Pro Se Assistance Program for legal advice regarding Federal Court litigation; and the Say Yes to Education Legal Clinics where clients with children in the Buffalo Schools can get walk in advice about any civil legal matter. Additionally, VLP runs a Housing Helpline (716-828-8460), which assist low income pro se litigants facing eviction outside of the city of Buffalo.
I am excited to be part of VLP team and work to improve the lives of those living in our community!
