Equal Justice Works is seeking highly organized legal aid organizations and organizations with strong legal services programs that have established ties to community organizations serving low-income veterans to apply to host between one (1) and four (4) AmeriCorps Legal Fellows in the 2012-2013 program year.

Selected organizations will act as a host to Fellows providing direct legal services to underserved active duty military, veterans and their families. Proposals will be accepted on other topics, but work with veterans is highly favored for this proposal.

Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellows have made significant strides in improving legal services to veterans. In the 2010-2011 program year, Fellows served 1,933 veterans in the veteran-heavy populations of Los Angeles, Seattle and West Virginia.

Qualified candidates will propose innovative and sustainable project descriptions that demonstrate experience and success at having served veterans in the past. Organizations with existing relationships or co-location with VA facilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Veterans-specific proposals include but are not limited to:

• Securing and coordinating public benefits.
• Eliminating legal barriers to housing, resolving landlord tenant issues.
• Preventing foreclosures and evictions.
• Providing employment law advice.
• Recruiting and coordinating pro bono attorneys and law students to aid in implementation of veterans projects.

Proposals can include projects that aim to author manuals, make connections with non-legal veteran serving individuals and organizations, and/or provide brief advice, direct representation, or legal clinics. Lobbying cannot be a part of proposals.

Proposals must be submitted by March 15, 2012 to receive consideration. Organizations will be notified of their standing by April 16, 2012. Selected sites will be notified of their acceptance by June 1, 2012; however we will work with our grantor to provide a final decision earlier.

Fellows begin their term of service between August 1 and September 17, 2012. Staff from awarded host sites will be required to attend training in Washington, D.C. in July or October, with travel costs covered by the award.

More Information from Equal Justice Works
AmeriCorps Concept Proposal 2012-2013 - AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship Program