GBLS uses a number of legal approaches to address both individual client needs as well as systemic problems, including individual client assistance ranging from legal advice to full representation as well as community legal education and outreach, class action litigation, and legislative and administrative advocacy. Our staff is divided into units of legal expertise to best address the problems faced by the people in our service area living in poverty. The Asian Outreach Unit offers legal services to Asians in GBLS service area in all areas of law GBLS handles. Dow Memorial Legal Assistance Fund student interns speak Vietnamese.
Services are available to clients speaking other languages through interpreters.
The Unit is also focusing on the problems experienced by elderly legal immigrants who are losing their SSI and food stamp benefits. The Employment Unit helps people who have been wrongfully denied unemployment benefits, victims of discrimination in training opportunities or employment, and people who are not receiving minimum wage or the overtime pay to which they are entitled. Advocates help clients to obtain or retain assistance from Transitional AFDC, Emergency Assistance for the Elderly, Disabled and Children, Food Stamps, and Emergency Assistance programs. The Family Law Unit represents victims of domestic violence in securing their own safety and well-being and that of their children. Advocates assist these clients and others in obtaining custody and visitation orders and child support through divorce and paternity actions.