SOUTH WARD PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM
If you are looking for free legal help in New Jersey for a community member of Newark’s South Ward, please click here.
The South Ward Promise Neighborhood (SWPN) was created by the U.S. Department of Education to help improve the educational and developmental outcomes of children in communities experiencing poverty. SWPN consists of 25+ community organizations and schools collaborating to provide resources and a strong support system to families in Newark’s South Ward so that children can thrive in school, college, and career.
In addition to other supportive services being provided through SWPN, VLJ and its volunteer attorneys provide critical holistic legal services to families who live in Newark’s South Ward. Many residents who contact VLJ are struggling to stay in their homes, struggling to get the proper services for their child with special education needs, seeking to expunge an old criminal record, need to restore their driver’s license privileges so they can get to work, and more. For South Ward families, gaining access to free civil legal assistance can help eliminate these barriers and help them achieve greater stability and success.
Court/Docket: Varies; an array of legal issues are screened through this program and referred to volunteer attorneys
Format: Virtual/phone legal consultations, document review, and/or remote full-scope representation
Time Commitment: Varies on case type and scope of pro bono involvement
Experience NOT Required: While we welcome attorneys with experience in any of the key practice areas faced by South Ward families, no previous experience is required. You will be required to review VLJ’s training materials before accepting a case if it is your first time handling that case type.
Training Available: VLJ has training materials (written & video) on expungement, driver’s license restoration, child support, divorce, estate planning, landlord/tenant, consumer debt and bankruptcy, and other legal issues South Ward families commonly need assistance with.
Mentoring: A VLJ staff attorney is present to provide assistance and support to all volunteers. VLJ will also try to secure a mentor for volunteer attorneys handling their first pro bono case with VLJ.
How to sign up?
Complete VLJ’s Volunteer Form (Click or tap the button below).
To learn more about this program or available opportunities, please contact Eilleen Ingram-Willis, SWPN Managing Attorney, at eingramwillis@vljnj.org.