Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

??Event: SOCIAL SECURITY OVERPAYMENT CHANGES ??Location: Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA) & Streamed Live on YouTube ?Wednesday, March 26, 2025 ??Event Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Doors Open: 3:00 PM) Panelists: Brian Hogan – Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) Nicholas Parr – Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA) Cassidy Estes-Rogers – Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA) Dr. John Scherr – Retired Physician (Medicare) ??Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/eJJCbcWy

One month ago, a sold-out crowd came together for the revitalized Access to Justice Breakfast, raising an incredible $575,000+ for civil legal services in our community! Your support helps Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and Legal Aid of NC-Charlotte fight for justice for those who need it most. Missed the event? You can still make a difference. Please make a gift towards Access to Justice today: https://lnkd.in/euzhY9rV

"If a child is not represented, they’re approximately 90% more likely to be denied and receive a removal order," Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy's Cristina Ceron said. Learn more about the impact of funding cuts to the Unaccompanied Children Program: https://lnkd.in/gV6RDRPX Tell your members of Congress to defend legal services for unaccompanied children: tinyurl.com/protect-kids

The Charlotte Observer highlighted the critical work of Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy—and the urgent challenges we face. Federal funding cuts threaten our ability to provide life-changing legal assistance. “We still have relationships with these clients,” said Alex Castle, who serves on the Advocacy Center’s Board. “We still have their files. These cases may be open and ongoing. They don’t just go away… It’s not a cut and dry, clean break-type scenario for anyone that’s affected by the loss of these services. This is about the clients. Our clients are our mission.” Learn more about what's at stake: https://lnkd.in/ehUUg6wC Together, we can build a just community: https://lnkd.in/euzhY9rV

?? Our Justice Lives Here newsletter was emailed out this week! ?? ?? Read it now: https://conta.cc/3DhYq9w ?? Get future updates delivered to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/e2DPcRFJ

A few weeks ago, a stop work order on the Unaccompanied Children Program impacted the ability for our advocates to serve their clients. Thanks to community pressure, it was lifted after a few days—but funding is still at risk. While the work is continuing for now, the government could still cut funding for the program when the contract is up for renewal at the end of this month. It is virtually impossible for a child to understand their legal options or successfully navigate complex legal proceedings alone, without specialized immigration advocates. Our clients range from a few months old to 17 years old. Immigration judges were almost 100 times less likely to grant relief to unaccompanied children without counsel than unaccompanied children with counsel. ?? Learn more: Our Immigrant Justice Program Co-Directors, Cristina Cerón and Ruth Santana, spoke to WCNC about the impact of funding cuts to the Unaccompanied Children Program: https://lnkd.in/euQwU__w ?? Take action now! Tell your members of Congress to defend legal services for unaccompanied children ?? tinyurl.com/protect-kids

Cassidy Estes-Rogers, Advocacy Center Interim COO and Family Support and Health Care Program Director, and Nicholas Riggs, Director of the NC Navigator Consortium, spoke to WCNC about the impact of funding cuts to Medicaid and the Navigator program. Last month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a 90% funding cut to the Affordable Care Act Navigator program. The NC Navigator Consortium, which includes Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, provided assistance to more than 100,000 North Carolinians last year. Additionally, the House of Representatives’ budget proposal passed last week includes unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and SNAP funding, threatening access to essential health care and nutrition assistance. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gJ9xCNKm

Last Thursday’s Access to Justice Breakfast, hosted by Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and Legal Aid of North Carolina – Charlotte, left us so inspired! Despite the snowy morning, hundreds of legal professionals gathered to champion building a more just community. The morning featured stories of impact, showcasing the life-changing work made possible by our legal advocates and pro bono partners. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the event sponsors. Together, we are making access to justice a reality for more North Carolinians!

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Children who arrive in the U.S. unaccompanied, without their parents or legal guardians, often have survived targeted violence, abuse, abandonment or trafficking. It is virtually impossible for a child to successfully navigate a complex legal system alone, without a specialized children’s rights attorney. ?? Help restore legal services for unaccompanied children by contacting your members of Congress today ?? tinyurl.com/SaveUCP