Our mission is to uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed in New York. We bring free legal services directly to community members at host non-profit organizations throughout the city. We break down the legal barriers to their success, enabling them to flourish and embody the full persons they are intended to be.
Civil legal aid can be life-changing. It can help people remain in their homes, apply for work, obtain subsistence income, access health care and more. But for those who need it most, legal help can be hard to find. Rather than wait for low-income and homeless New Yorkers to find us, we take our services directly to soup kitchens and shelters, overcoming the obstacles of lack of information, geographic location, and health and mobility concerns.
Civil legal aid can be life-changing. It can help people remain in their homes, apply for work, obtain subsistence income, access health care and more. But for those who need it most, legal help can be hard to find. Rather than wait for low-income and homeless New Yorkers to find us, we take our services directly to soup kitchens and shelters, overcoming the obstacles of lack of information, geographic location, and health and mobility concerns.
Services
About Us
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Our mission is to uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed in New York City. We bring free legal services directly to community members at host non-profit organizations throughout the city. We break down the legal barriers to their success, enabling individuals to flourish and embody the full persons they are intended to be.
How To Get Help
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Anyone can come to one of our mobile legal aid desks for advice or counsel on any civil legal matter. Clients in need of assistance can continue to call our main number at 917-379-0705, Monday through Friday from 9:30AM to 5:30PM. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message. An attorney will promptly return your call.
The Civil Legal Aid Crisis
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More than 2.3 million low-income New Yorkers fighting to obtain or keep the essentials of life-including home, job, benefits and family-face the complexities of the civil justice system without legal counsel. They are five to 10 times more likely to lose. Our legal system is built on the premise that you have a lawyer.
Give
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Please include your name, address and email address so that we may acknowledge and receipt your gift. Increase the impact of your gift by asking your employer if they match charitable contributions. For other ways to give, including rallying your family and friends for a cause you care about and raising money through marathons, birthday celebrations, weddings and more, please email info@openhandslegalservices.org.
Volunteer
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We are always looking for people who want to dedicate their time and talent to ensure justice for all in New York City. Attorney Volunteers attend our legal aid desks at host non-profit organizations to conduct intake interviews with people in need.
In conjunction with and under the supervision of OHLS attorneys, Attorney Volunteers provide legal information, advice, and/or referrals to clients on a variety of legal issues, including housing, family, immigration, and public benefits.No specific legal expertise is required, although we encourage volunteers to attend Experienced Volunteer Trainings throughout the year.
In conjunction with and under the supervision of OHLS attorneys, Attorney Volunteers provide legal information, advice, and/or referrals to clients on a variety of legal issues, including housing, family, immigration, and public benefits.No specific legal expertise is required, although we encourage volunteers to attend Experienced Volunteer Trainings throughout the year.
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