Press Release
Grand Opening of Highland Park-Highwood
Legal Aid Clinic May 1 at 7:30 AM
Contact: Karyn Davidman, Executive Director, at 847-571-7287 (cell) or at kdavidman@hphlegalaid.org
Highland Park, IL: The Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic will be having its grand opening on Friday morning, May 1, at 7:30 AM. The Clinic is located at 1830 Green Bay Road, Highland Park, in the Firehouse Youth Services building. At the ribbon cutting, Mayor Nancy Rotering, Honorary Chair and Founder of the Clinic, will announce the names of the founding sponsors that enabled the clinic to open its doors.
“As a community, it is our responsibility to meet the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors, particularly our senior, economically challenged and immigrant populations. The support of the Clinic will help us advocate for the health, safety and security of our residents and their families.” Mayor Nancy Rotering stated. “This collaborative effort across our community confirms that working together, we find solutions and can meet the needs and achieve the hopes of our community.” said Mayor Rotering.
The clinic was formed after a 2013 needs assessment study by the Human Services Task Force identified the need for quality and affordable legal services in the areas of immigration, domestic violence and housing. The clinic will serve those who live in Highland Park or Highwood who meet financial eligibility for services in these areas. The income level for services has been set at 250% of the federal poverty level for a family of four (about $60,000).
“I’m especially gratified to see the response from our legal community” said Kathryn Vanden Berk, the organization’s Chair and Managing Attorney. “We have over 30 attorneys who have already signed up to provide their professional services on a pro bono basis.” Non-attorney volunteers are also welcome to assist with paralegal and non-legal administrative work. Bilingual volunteers are also being sought.
“A new program in Illinois allows attorneys who are on inactive or retired status with the ARDC to practice under our auspices as a pro bono legal aid clinic,” continued Vanden Berk. “This is new, and it will be interesting for us to see how many attorneys decide to take advantage of the program. All attorneys will be supervised by those who are experienced in their fields.”
Refreshments will be served at the opening ceremony by students from Highland Park High School.
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Clinic will open with a DACA workshop (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), from 9AM to noon, for young people who qualify for this immigration benefit.
Regular clinic hours will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9AM-12 noon, with monthly clinics and workshops on Saturdays through June 30. Hours will expand after July 1 to better meet the needs of the community, with evening hours being planned. For up to date information on hours and services, please visit our website at www.hphlegalaid.org
