Organization: URBAN JUSTICE CENTER
Mission: THE URBAN JUSTICE CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED TO ENGAGE IN LEGAL ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF THE HOMELESS, INDIGENT, DISENFRANCHISED, AND THOSE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF CIVIL AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS IN THE NEW YORK CITY METROPOLITAN AREA.
Activities: THE SAFETY NET PROJECT (SNP) PROVIDED DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 2,600 CLIENTS THIS YEAR. SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDED BENEFITS ASSISTANCE, EVICTION DEFENSE LITIGATION, AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION IN HOUSING MATTERS, HOMELESSNESS ADVOCACY, AND ADVOCATING TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS OTHER VITAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS. ALONG WITH CONDUCTING MANY KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOPS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, TRAININGS, AND MEDIA CAMPAIGNS, SNP ALSO PUBLISHED A REPORT ON THE CHALLENGES NEW YORKERS FACE AS THEY ATTEMPT TO ACCESS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. ADDITIONALLY, SNP HELD A PRESS RALLY AND TESTIFIED AT CITY HALL ON THESE SPECIFIC CHALLENGES AND ACHIEVED CONCRETE CHANGES TO PUBLIC POLICY AS A RESULT.
THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT (DVP), WHICH WORKS WITH VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE CITY-WIDE, IRRESPECTIVE OF GENDER, SEXUALITY, RACE, RELIGION, OR CITIZENSHIP STATUS, CLOSED APPROXIMATELY 2,100 CASES. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT (DVP) THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WITH A LOCAL STUDENT RUN MEDICAL CLINIC, HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING FREE MEDICAL EXAMS PERFORMED AND CERTIFIED BY A USCIS APPROVED CIVIL SURGEON FOR LPR APPLICATIONS. DVP HAS ALSO ALIGNED THEMSELVES WITH A ROBUST GROUP FOR SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE TO ADDRESS ISSUES AS IDENTIFIED BY THE GROUP OF SURVIVORS WITH AN ADDITIONAL GOAL OF CREATING PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT AMONG THE SURVIVORS. THEY HAVE ALSO CREATED A STRONG LINKAGE WITH HOSTOS TO PROVIDE ADVANCEMENT AND ULTIMATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SURVIVORS TO OBTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND ABILITY TO CREATE A LIFE DEFINED BY THEM.
THE SEX WORKERS PROJECT (SWP) PROVIDES CLIENT-CENTERED LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ENGAGE IN SEX WORK BY CHOICE, CIRCUMSTANCE, OR COERCION. SWP PROVIDES DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES AND ENGAGES IN POLICY AND MEDIA ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTATION, WORKING TO CREATE A WORLD THAT IS SAFE FOR SEX WORKERS AND WHERE HUMAN TRAFFICKING DOES NOT EXIST. THE PRINCIPAL LEGAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION SERVICES; LEGAL ADVICE, REPRESENTATION AND REFERRALS; "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" TRAININGS FOR SEX WORKERS AND VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING; VACATING CONVICTIONS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAFFICKED IN NY, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAININGS FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
NTEE category: Crime & Legal-Related
Secondary category: Human Services