Organization: Gulfcoast Legal Services Inc
Mission: To serve the legal needs of vulnerable individuals, families & communities.
Activities: Legal Assistance for Human Trafficking & Human Rights: The Immigration & Human Rights unit provided assistance to 351 immigrant victims of crime with T and U visas as well as obtaining citizenship or documented status to assure their ability to live and work in the US. Advocates also referred clients to counseling, language centers, public benefits, and education programs. The unit also assisted 154 victims (domestic and immigrant) of human trafficking. These services are supported largely by grants from the US Department of Justice.
Legal Services for Families/Domestic Violence: The Family Law unit provided services to 1,100 clients and closed 807 cases of protective injunctions, personal safety, custody, divorce, child support, visitation, and paternity. Casework is holistic in nature as these clients may also receive legal assistance with housing matters, public income maintenance benefits for which they are eligible. This assistance gives survivors of violence the tools they need to become independent and self-sufficient and to create a new beginning for themselves and their children. These services are supported by funding from the US Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, Pinellas County, the Florida Office of the Attorney General, and the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Financial Stability & Housing Legal Services: Financial stability and housing attorneys and support staff provided legal services to help residents obtain or maintain stable income and/or housing. Services included assistance with credit matters; tax controversies; fraud; scams; debt collections; landlord/tenant disputes; foreclosure modification or representation; addressing violations of the Fair Housing Act; etc. Housing staff assisted 722 clients to help them avoid homelessness. Housing services were supported primarily by funding from Pinellas and Manatee Counties and various local municipalities via their HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The Financial Stability team assisted 1,310 clients with financial matters and were supported by funding from the Florida Bar Foundation, local foundations, and the IRS Low Income Taxpayer Clinic program.
NTEE category: Crime & Legal-Related