How can I volunteer to help clients through Closing the Gap?
I don’t know much about housing or debt collection. Will there be a training?
Do I need any special equipment or software to use Closing the Gap?
How can I find out more about a housing law or consumer law question?
After my volunteer service, how can I get comments or suggestions to you?
How am I helping to close the justice gap for rural clients?
If you are located in the Capital District, please contact Mallory Gibson, mgibson@lasnny.org, at the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, if you’re interested in volunteering.
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Closing the Gap volunteers assist clients with consumer debt and eviction cases. When you sign up with Closing the Gap, you can indicate which type of case you would like to volunteer for.
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Trainings were previously held on April 15, 2016 in Albany and on April 19, 2016 in Rochester. These trainings were recorded and are available along with other training materials. They are free to any attorney who volunteers to represent Closing the Gap clients. Additional training will be held in Spring 2021. This recording will also be recorded, and will be available to any attorney who volunteers. These trainings can be found at [insert link].
Yes. Keep track of your hours and fill out the necessary forms, which will be provided to you at the conclusion of your services, to report the service you provided and the time it took. One CLE credit is given for every two hours of pro bono service rendered.
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Yes! Legal Aid would appreciate your volunteering to be on call for a given day, date, or week to handle emergency evictions that come in that week. You can schedule this far in advance, and you will be reminded by PAI staff of your dates of responsibility.
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No, you can help a client through Closing the Gap from your home, your office or a computer at Legal Aid.
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If you want to use the video chat feature, you will need to have a webcam and a microphone on your computer. No other special equipment or software is required.
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As a registered volunteer with Closing the Gap, you will have access to resource materials and guided interactive interviews developed by the Legal Aid Society. The interactive interview questions will guide the development of a comprehensive response to the eviction or consumer case. If you have questions about your client’s case, please contact Mallory Gibson, mgibson@lasnny.org, at the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (Albany area volunteers).
Every attorney is asked to fill out the Attorney Satisfaction Questionnaire after their Closing the Gap session.
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By volunteering your time to help a client who has been served in an eviction case or a debt collection case, you are helping them develop a pro se pleading. Without your help, this client would not have received this brief and invaluable service.
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