Mission, Vision, Values and Milestones
Mission
Community Legal Advocates of New York is a private, non-profit organization that is dedicated to closing the social justice gap; by advancing the rights of low and moderate income clients. Consistent with the vision of its founders, CLA provides free or low cost holistic civil, legal and advocacy services to residents of Long Island and New York City.
Vision
Values
Black Lives Matter
No Human Is Illegal
Love is Love
Science is Real
Women’s Rights are Human Rights
Kindness Counts
Milestones
Samuel Wachtel
Berlotte Antoine, LMSW
January 2021
CLA expands its Board of Directors by adding Berlotte Antoine and Samuel Wachtel.
June 2020
CLA adapts its service model to include teleservice to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
June 2019
CLA expands and begins operating from Suites 202 and 205 in our office at 38 Old Country Road.
November 2018
CLA is awarded its first AmeriCorps VISTA by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC). CLA is thrilled to have renewed ever since.
Joel Bencosme, CPA
Rosemary Ventura-Muñoz, LMSW
January 2018
CLA expands its Board of Directors, adding Joel Bencosme, CPA, and Rosemary Ventura-Muñoz, LMSW.
November 2017
CLA receives a grant from the New York Immigration Coalition in support of the Coverage 4 All campaign. We’re proud to work with the New York Immigration Coalition and organizations across the state on the fight for health care coverage for all New Yorkers!
November 2018
The grant is renewed. The work continues.
March 18, 2017
Community Legal Advocates holds its launch party and first ever fundraiser. It was a great success and we thank everyone who showed up to support and encourage us!
March 1, 2017
CLA moves into its new office at 38 Old Country Road, Garden City, Nassau County.
February 13, 2017
Community Legal Advocates receives notification from the IRS that is has been approved as a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. CLA’s tax exempt status is retroactive to August 16, 2016.
January 2017
Community Legal Advocates begins operations.
August 2016
Community Legal Advocates of New York Inc. is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of New York State.
Summer 2016
Keiko and Ann conceive of creating a new non-profit law firm that will serve clients regardless of their ability to pay fees, providing low cost services to middle income clients, as well as free services to low income clients.