Community Initiatives
Youth Homelessness Prevention Project
LASEV’s Disability Rights Unit/Homeless Outreach Project (DRU/HOP) has been awarded a grant from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation for our Youth Homelessness Prevention Project. This Project has expanded our youth outreach initiatives and provides essential legal advocacy, support services, and connection to resources tailored specifically to the unique needs of homeless and at-risk youth. We are deeply grateful to the Hampton Roads Community Foundation for their partnership and commitment to creating a brighter future for youth in our community.
Eviction Expungement Program
LASEV’s Legal Services Corporation Pro Bono Innovation Fund Project grant funds an attorney and paralegal for our Eviction Expungement Project. This project engages volunteer attorneys to help address the eviction crisis in our service area, focusing on clearing up tenant rental and credit histories to reduce barriers to obtaining affordable housing. Our project staff coordinate volunteer clinics at docket days in General District Courts and other locations throughout our service area to assist tenants with eviction expungements and provide additional holistic advice and assistance in addressing barriers to housing.
Legal Services for Homeless Veterans
Our Veterans Justice Team, funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk For Homelessness grant, focuses on the needs of homeless and at-risk veterans throughout our heavily military populated service area. Pursuant to this grant, our Team assists veterans with a variety of civil legal needs to obtain stability, including accessing government benefits and health care, housing, employment, consumer, and family law matters, criminal defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness, and requests for an upgrade to the character of discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.
Student Disability Rights Project
Supported by the Virginia Law Foundation, our Student Disability Rights Project is dedicated to special education advocacy, as well as student discipline, bullying, and truancy cases involving disabled students. This Project expands our outreach and educational events focused on helping parents understand and advocate for their children’s rights – promoting greater equity and access in education across our community.
