Empire Justice Center

Our offices are closed today in recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We will open on Tuesday, October 15. To honor the day, we want to share a few resources with you. Learn more about present-day and dispossessed locations of Indigenous Nations here: https://lnkd.in/gE52iKHZ New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation relationship with Indian Nations: https://lnkd.in/gsUBfZve

This week, we joined other nonprofit leaders from across the state at Camp Finance, to learn about the latest trends in nonprofit management. One of the most common trends discussed was state contract execution and the delay in payment. Below, Megan Allen from New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON) speaks with our President and CEO, Kristin Brown. Nonprofits can submit stories to @NYLSCoalition about their experiences with nonprofit contracting. This will come —with other actions—via email from New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON) #campfinance https://lnkd.in/gv3AH6HH

Our advocates accomplish so much. Here's what we did last year - get ready to be inspired ??????

We are excited to share a look back at Empire Justice Center’s work on behalf of client communities in 2023, during which we used our 360 degree approach to systems change – teaching, practicing and changing the law - to guide our expansion into multiple new areas. Our incredible advocates trained over 10,000 individuals to support the provision of high quality legal services, worked with co-counsel to pursue litigation and in coalition to pass laws that support New York’s social and economic safety nets. And we opened a second office on Long Island to be better able to work with our colleagues and clients in Nassau County. Empire Justice Center’s mission is to make the law work for all New Yorkers – we won’t stop until we get there together! Happy reading! https://lnkd.in/g9DF4fJf

At this year’s Partnership Conference, our Language Justice team reviewed language justice concepts, legal mandates, and opportunities for state and local-level advocacy. We were joined by Director Margarita Larios of New York State’s Office of Language Access, who operates the language access program across the state. Empire Justice Center applauds NYS Office of Language Access for their tremendous work in language justice. In the two years this program operated, New York has become leader for language access.

The New York Legal Services Coalition recently submitted a letter urging Governor Hochul to sign S.7297C (Kavanagh)/A.7636C (Solages) into law, which will codify the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP), New York’s only statewide foreclosure program. https://lnkd.in/euTcE32Y

The New York Legal Services Coalition recently submitted a letter urging Governor Hochul to sign S.7297C (Kavanagh)/A.7636C (Solages) into law, which will codify the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP), New York’s only statewide foreclosure program. https://lnkd.in/euTcE32Y

??EBT Scam Alert!?? Stolen SNAP and Temporary Assistance benefits can now be replaced through December 20, 2024. If your benefits were stolen, and you need to submit an application, you may apply for replacement benefits.

Working families struggle with the high cost of living, child care, and transportation, coupled with wages that disqualify them for programs that could help put food on the table along with other basic necessities. The Working Families Tax Credit could help put dollars back into these households, lifting families out of poverty.

Critical COVID-era protections for federal student loan borrowers ended on Monday September 30, 2024. Beginning on Tuesday October 1, 2024, the federal government will recommence credit reporting and collection efforts for borrowers who miss payments or are in default on their student loans. EDCAP Supervising Attorney Sandy Budd spoke with Spectrum News about the issue (https://lnkd.in/g-hF8fuS). We will be holding a student loan clinic at the Brunswick Public Library on November 1, 2024 for anyone with questions about their student loans.