From the Director’s Desk

Unlike criminal representation, access to legal representation in civil cases is not guaranteed. This severely limits poor people’s access to justice when confronted with life crises including eviction, employment discrimination, mounting medical bills, the need for an order of protection, or to

Sample from the Bandana Project

(The Bandana Project Continued from page 1)

Immigrant Women’s Legal Initiative of the Southern Poverty Law Center in April of 2007 as a part of its national initiative to raise awareness about sexual violence against farm worker women in the workplace. In solidarity, farm worker community members, advocates and other individuals decorate white bandanas to honor those who have taken action to hold the perpetrators and their employers responsible for this violence. These bandanas are also a show of support to victims whose shame and fear prevents them from taking action. May they be fortified and empowered so that they will no longer have to suffer in silence.

 

Lew Papenfuse

 

 

challenge an inappropriate denial of unemployment, disability or Social Security benefits. Here in New York, the right to food, shelter, and safety—basic human needs--is all too often compromised by this lack of access to justice. Furthermore, this lack of access to justice falls even harder on migrant farm workers, the poorest of poor and the least endowed with any political power or rights protected under the law.

At last census count, 2.8 million New Yorkers—14.9% of our state’s population—were living in poverty. In 2005, the Legal Services Corporation estimated that nationally, 80% of the civil legal needs of low-income individuals went unmet on an annual basis due to inadequate program funding. Upon completion of the 2007-2008 New York State budget process, the civil legal services community rejoiced – funding  was established that more than doubled previous years’ allotment and increased the state funding per poor person from $2.54 to $5.89 – still an abysmal record, but at least significantly improving New York’s investment in justice.   Unfortunately the 2008-09 enacted budget brings funding levels back to where they were in 2006, wiping out last year’s gains and providing 50% or $8 million less than last year.

The staff and I wish to thank all of you, our contributors, for your generous support. As you can see from the articles in this newsletter, we continue to fight for the rights of migrant and seasonal farm workers throughout New York State and the country. We are pleased that you have chosen to make this your fight as well.