Brooklyn VLP: News

  1. Summer 2023: Meeting Neighbors Where They Are!

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    From free homeowner workshops in East New York to street fairs in Park Slope and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, our staff and volunteers have been busy providing quality legal services and education to our neighbors borough-wide.

    We kicked off the summer season with The Dream Squad and The Arthur Project’s Carnival Resource Fair at the Meyer Levin School for the Performing Arts on Saturday, June 3rd, where we got to enjoy live performances from the The Meyer Levin Steel Orchestra, dance performances, and more.

    On Wednesday, June 7th, Access Justice Brooklyn and City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse hosted a Homeowner Help Workshop in partnership with NHS Brooklyn. Despite the air quality advisory in New York City that day, we were able to assist nearly 20 homeowners with late-stage foreclosure and Department of Building violations and complaints. Read more about the event here.

    The following week, we celebrated Pride Month by participating in the Brooklyn Pride Festival & Parade held in Park Slope on Saturday, June 10th. We also attended the Brooklyn Community Board 2 & Friends of Commodore Barry Park Health Fair also held that same weekend near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

    On Friday, August 11th, we helped neighbors gearing up for back to school at the NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, East New York Resource Fair and Back to School Giveaway. Neighbors received free school supplies while Access Justice Brooklyn and other participating organizations shared valuable resources with families in Ozone Park.

    Through our continued partnership with NHS Brooklyn and Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, we held our second event Homeowner Help Workshop on Thursday, August 17th at her district office. Over 30 homeowners were able to meet one-on-one with housing counselors and attorneys for help with foreclosure, Department of Buildings violations, and other homeowner concerns.

    We closed out the summer vacation with two Back to School events hosted by Councilmember Sandy Nurse held on Saturday, August 19th at Thomas Boyland Park and Sunday, August 27th at Highland Park.

    Before we officially say goodbye to summer, we will be participating once again in Senator Roxanne Persaud’s Annual Senate District 19 Senior Resource Fair to be held on Thursday, September 7th at her district office! This annual event provides seniors with information about health care, mental health and wellness resources, City and State agencies, community organizations and more.

    Click here to view our calendar for more upcoming events!

  2. Highlighting Access Justice Brooklyn’s Summer Interns on National Intern Day

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    National Intern Day is July 27, 2023, and to celebrate we are delighted to introduce, highlight, and celebrate Access Justice Brooklyn’s Summer Interns! As an organization operating with a full-time program staff of fourteen, our interns play an especially critical role in our day-to-day work and impact.

    Sarah Genchanok, Rising 2L, Brooklyn Law School, NYSBA Catalyst Public Service Fellowship Recipient 
    “I was interested in interning at Access Justice Brooklyn because of the opportunity to provide direct assistance to the Brooklyn community for a variety of legal matters. So far, I’ve gained hands-on experience on how to best assist and advocate for clients by appearing on the record on behalf of pro se litigants in Civil Court and learned how to discuss potential resolutions and settlements with opposing counsel. I am incredibly grateful to the organization’s staff and our supervising attorneys for their guidance!”

    Sydney Korman, Rising 2L, Brooklyn Law School, NYSBA Catalyst Public Service Fellowship Recipient 
    “I was drawn to interning with Access Justice Brooklyn due to its mission of promoting a fair and accessible legal system. This opportunity has been immensely valuable, providing me with practical legal skills that can only be learned through hands-on experience. Moreover, I’ve gained a profound understanding of what it means to ardently advocate for clients.”

    Caroline Strauss, Rising 2L, Brooklyn Law School, NYSBA Catalyst Public Service Fellowship Recipient 
    “I was interested in interning with Access Justice Brooklyn because of their commitment to ensuring a more accessible legal system. I have had the opportunity to learn how to best advocate for my clients by doing hands-on work in real time including writing discovery orders and order of dismissals, taking part in settlement negotiations, and writing settlement stipulations, and arguing motions in front of the presiding judge.” I’ve gained a lot of confidence thus far, and I look forward to learning even more in these last weeks of my summer internship.”

    From conducting intake to staffing legal clinics and representing clients on civil legal matters, our interns are making a long-lasting difference in the lives of those who are often overlooked and underserved.

    We are incredibly grateful and proud of their compassion and dedication to Access Justice Brooklyn and those we serve! For more information about volunteering with Access Justice Brooklyn, visit: www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org/take-action

  3. Unclaimed Funds: Find lost money at the New York State Comptroller’s Office

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    Every day New York State returns $1.5 million to those who file claims with the Office of the New York State Comptroller.

    Banks, insurance companies, corporations, and the courts are required by law to report dormant or inactive accounts to the State Comptroller’s Office. Companies and organizations must attempt to notify you by mail and publish the information in newspapers if you have money in these accounts. Despite these efforts, billions of dollars remain unclaimed and are turned over to the State Comptroller’s Office.

    There is a total of $955,603,433 in unclaimed funds in Kings County – is any yours?

    Types of Unclaimed Funds Accounts

    • – Bank Accounts – savings, checking, and/or certificate of deposit (CDs)
    • – Court Funds – settlements
    • – Dividends – corporate profits to shareholders
    • – Estate Proceeds – wills and trusts
    • – Insurance Benefits and Policies
    • – Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds – investment funds
    • – Telephone, Utility, and Security Deposits

    Search for Lost Money

    Visit www.osc.state.ny.us/unclaimed-funds to begin your search. Enter your last and first name or organization name. If you find a match, select the Name or Address for more information about the item you wish to claim. You can submit a claim online or mail-in a claim form. For more information about the process and available resources, click here.

    AVOID UNCLAIMED MONEY SCAMS!

    Beware of people who pretend to be the government and offer to send you unclaimed money in exchange for a fee or the exchange of confidential personal information. The State Comptroller’s Office never charges a fee to return unclaimed funds. This practice is called phishing – a criminal activity using various techniques to trick you into providing personal or financial information through an email request or through a link to a fraudulent Web site. For more information on phishing, please visit the New York Department of State, Division of Consumer Protection.

  4. Access Justice Brooklyn and City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse Host Homeowner Help Workshop

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    On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Access Justice Brooklyn, and City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse hosted a Homeowner Help Workshop in partnership with NHS Brooklyn. The event was held at Councilwoman Narcisse’s District Office located at 5827 Flatlands Avenue, Brooklyn and helped homeowners address foreclosure and building violation concerns.

    Access Justice Brooklyn Supervising Attorney, Peter S. White II, spearheaded the event. Peter shared the following:

    “Many of our clients live in Eastern Brooklyn and are unable to commute downtown to obtain assistance due to work and accessibility limitations. This event marked an occasion in which we collectively saw a need in the community to provide essential housing and legal services to homeowners where they live.”

    Despite the air quality advisory in New York City that day, Access Justice Brooklyn, and our partners were able to assist nearly 20 homeowners with late-stage foreclosure and Department of Building violations and complaints.

    Thank you to Councilwoman Narcisse for hosting Access Justice Brooklyn at her district office allowing us to meet with homeowners in their community to provide free legal assistance and education where they live.

    Access Justice Brooklyn’s Homeowner Assistance program also provides weekly foreclosure intervention and prevention services at the Kings County Supreme Court to support Brooklyn homeowners through the Foreclosure Legal Assistance Group program held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the Friend of the Court program held on Thursdays. We also provide representation in the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) cases brought by the New York City Department of Buildings, helping individuals resolve or reduce the debt burden from violations.  To learn more about the services we provide through our Homeowners Assistance program, click here.

  5. Access Justice Brooklyn Partners with AXA XL on Annual Global Day of Giving

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    We are thrilled to partner once again with volunteers at AXA XL in celebration of their Annual Global Day of Giving. The AXA XL Global Day of Giving allows AXA XL staff the opportunity to donate their time and skills to organizations in the communities they work and live in.

    On June 7, 2023, Access Justice Brooklyn hosted an in-person clinic for eight AXA XL volunteers and two interns who generously donated their time in support of our Family Stabilization services. Under the mentorship of staff, volunteers assisted five of our clients to prepare and file their initial divorce papers with the Kings County Clerk.

    Thank you to Rachel Alt-Simmons, Head of Global Claims Innovation & Optimization, Claims Strategy & Transformation, Jason Atkinson, Senior Claim Specialist, Design Professional, Liesel Carvajal, General Counsel US Insurance, Kimberly Landgrover, Legal Counsel, Matthew Murabito, General Counsel, Investments, David Ralls, Associate General Counsel, Thomas Vargo, Claims Manager – Aerospace, North America,  and Lian Phua, Head of Americas, Political Risk, Credit and Bond, Jean-Gabriel Pierre, Head of Global Investment Strategy, for their participation last week.

    A special thank you to event organizer Dana Rosenbaum, Senior Legal Counsel, Investments and Pro Bono Committee Chair!

    For more information about pro bono partnership opportunities with Access Justice Brooklyn, please contact Anne O’Grady, Pro Bono Director.

    For a list of our current Pro Bono Partners, click here.

  6. Access Justice Brooklyn co-sponsors CUNY Citizenship Now! Citizenship Subway Series

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    On Saturday, May 20, 2023, Access Justice Brooklyn co-sponsored the CUNY Citizenship Now! Citizenship Subway Series hosted by our partners, CUNY Citizenship Now!, Dominicanos USA and Univision Nueva York at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. We are thrilled to report 450 people registered for the event surpassing the collective goal to assist 250 green card holders with their applications for US citizenship and fee waivers for qualifying low-income applicants.

    We are so grateful to all the volunteers who participated, including our pro bono partnering law firm Fried Frank.

    For more information about pro bono partnership opportunities with Access Justice Brooklyn, please contact Anne O’Grady, Pro Bono Director.

    For a list of our current Pro Bono Partners, click here.

  7. Access Justice Brooklyn partners with Goodwin and Bloomberg for Financial Institution Pro Bono Day

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    We are excited to once again have partnered with volunteers at Goodwin Procter LLP and Bloomberg LP for Financial Institution Pro Bono Day (FIPBD). FIPBD is an annual event that serves to spotlight the severe gap in legal services for underserved individuals and promote in-house pro bono engagement and collaboration with law firms and legal services organizations.

    On April 27, 2023, Access Justice Brooklyn hosted a virtual Pro Se Uncontested Divorce clinic for ten Goodwin and Bloomberg volunteers who generously donated their time in support of our Family Stabilization services. Under the mentorship of staff, volunteers assisted five of our clients in need of help preparing and filing for an uncontested divorce from their spouse.

    The Goodwin Pro Bono Team had this to share, “It was a pleasure working with Access Justice Brooklyn on a Pro Se Divorce Clinic in connection with Financial Institution Pro Bono Day. They provided a clear, structured, and thorough training prior to the client meetings, which allowed our attorneys to feel confident, well-supported, and prepared, even if they did not have prior experience or expertise with this area of law. The clinic could not have been as successful as it was without the outstanding guidance and mentorship provided by Access Justice Brooklyn.”

    A special thank you to event organizers Carolyn D. Rosenthal, Director of Pro Bono, Rena Kramer, Attorney, and Kesley Lee, Pro Bono Specialist at Goodwin Procter LLP; as well as Kim Rutan, Global Head of Legal & Compliance Pro Bono, at Bloomberg LP.

    For more information about pro bono partnership opportunities with Access Justice Brooklyn, please contact Anne O’Grady, Pro Bono Director.

    For a list of our current Pro Bono Partners, click here.

  8. Homeowners: Are you behind on your utility bills? You are not alone!

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    On May 1, 2023, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the extension of the water bill amnesty program through May 31st. So far, 86,000 customers have participated and saved money!

    The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) launched a temporary water bill amnesty program to help New Yorkers save up to $150 million of interest when they pay their overdue water bills.

    DEP is offering a limited one-time amnesty with up to 100% interest forgiveness for all customers with an outstanding balance. If you owe water and wastewater charges, you may be eligible for this amnesty offer.

    For customers with a balance of more than $1,000 for over a year, DEP will offer three amnesty options: 

    • – If 100% of the principal bill is paid, 100% of interest will be forgiven; 
    • – If 50% of the principal bill is paid, 75% of interest will be forgiven; or 
    • – If 25% of the principal bill is paid, 50% of interest will be forgiven. 

    Customers who owe less than $1,000 are still eligible to receive amnesty on 100% of their interest if they pay their total bill. All customers who participate in the water amnesty program and leave a remaining outstanding balance will be required to enter into a payment agreement with DEP.

    For customers that already participate in New York State’s Low Income Homeowner Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), DEP is offering up to an additional $30 million to assist these homeowners with forgiveness of up to $5,000 of their remaining balances. 

    The program ends on April 30, 2023 May 31, 2023. Click here to view your options!

    Do you need help paying other utilities? The NYS Energy Affordability Program/Low-Income Bill Discount Program provides income-eligible customers with a discount on their monthly electric and/or gas bills.

    You may be enrolled automatically if you receive benefits from a government assistance program. For more information visit Con Edison – Payment Plans and Assistance and National Grid – Bill Help to see what assistance may be available for you.

    Do you or someone you know need legal help? Begin an online intake here. If you prefer to speak with staff directly, our intake hours are Monday through Thursday between 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please call (718) 624-3894 or email us at help@accessjusticebk.org.

  9. Our Legal Services Team is Expanding

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    We are excited to introduce two new Access Justice Brooklyn legal assistants – Bella Nunes, who we welcomed to the team in November 2022, and Delilah Hernandez, who we welcomed to the team in January 2023.

    Bella is a graduate of American University where she majored in International Studies and minored in Justice and Law. She has prior experience as an immigration paralegal and has worked on legal policy issues at the National Juvenile Justice Network.

    Bella Nunes, Legal Assistant
    “I was interested in joining Access Justice Brooklyn because the mission of the organization aligns very closely with my personal and professional values. I have always been a champion for justice, and I wanted to be part of an organization that genuinely advocates for marginalized communities in my neighborhood. Justice should be a fundamental right to everyone; however, the harsh reality is that many individuals don’t have access to adequate resources to successfully navigate the complex US legal system. Access Justice Brooklyn helps bridge that gap to ensure that Brooklynites have the tools necessary to achieve justice. I’m beyond excited and proud to join the team here at Access Justice Brooklyn and I look forward to helping the organization further advance its mission across the borough.”

    Delilah is a graduate of Cornell University where she majored in Development Sociology and minored in Law and Society. She has prior experience as an intake volunteer at the Ithaca Tenant’s Legal Hotline, a Community Basic Needs Project Coordinator at the Center for Transformative Action, and a Student Advocate at Cornell’s Student Assembly Office of Student Advocate.

    Delilah Hernandez, Legal Assistant
    “The mission of improving the lives and experiences of people from marginalized communities has guided me throughout my undergraduate career and in forging my path as a recent graduate. I’m excited to join Access Justice Brooklyn as it’s an organization that meets people directly where they are at in life. From seeing first-hand how CLARO (our in-person consumer-debt clinic) operates to provide Brooklyn community members with on-demand access to attorneys, I see the impact that the services have on the livelihoods of our community members facing upcoming court challenges. I look forward to serving as a Legal Assistant at Access Justice Brooklyn by connecting our clients to the appropriate resources and guiding them through our services to ease the process of attaining help.”

    As Legal Assistants for Access Justice Brooklyn, Bella and Delilah will conduct intakes with prospective clients and staff, providing information and/or referrals to clients seeking legal assistance as well as support our Legal Services team in foreclosure, consumer debt, bankruptcy, family law, and other practice areas. To learn more about the services we provide, click here.

  10. Access Justice Brooklyn hosts Foreclosure Answer-a-thon at Brooklyn Borough Hall

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    On Friday, January 20, 2023, Access Justice Brooklyn hosted a Foreclosure Answer-a-thon in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Legal Services, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A), NHS Brooklyn, and New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). The event was held at Brooklyn Borough Hall and helped homeowners facing foreclosure draft an answer to their foreclosure summons and/or complaint.

    Access Justice Brooklyn Supervising Attorney, Peter S. White II, spearheaded the event. Peter shared the following:

    “Deed fraud and foreclosure numbers are on the rise and Brooklyn homeowners are in critical need of free legal help with drafting foreclosure legal documents. By hosting the Answer-a-thon, Access Justice Brooklyn and participating partners reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that homeowners in foreclosure timely invoke every foreclosure defense available to them.”

    The lingering effects of the pandemic, rapid gentrification, and rise of housing scams continue to impact Brooklyn residents – threatening to displace homeowners and increase the burden of debt for individuals and families. Last month, Access Justice Brooklyn and our partners were able to assist 23 homeowners in danger of losing their homes. Although drafting an answer is only the first step, our neighbors can rest assured they will not lose their home due to a default judgement.

    Opportunities to partner with peer-organizations to provide free legal assistance and community education allows us to not only help far more of our neighbors than we could alone, but also offer an expansive array of services and expertise. In addition to our homeowner focused community events, Access Justice Brooklyn also provides weekly foreclosure intervention and prevention services at the Kings County Supreme Court to support Brooklyn homeowners through the Foreclosure Legal Assistance Group program held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the Friend of the Court program held on Thursdays.  Access Justice Brooklyn also provides representation in Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) cases brought by the New York City Department of Buildings, helping individuals resolve or reduce the debt burden from violations.

     To learn more about the services we provide through our Homeowners Assistance program, click here.