H.E.L.P. (Homeless Experience Legal Protection) www .... Keynote Address-H.E.L.P-Judge...The Office...

H.E.L.P.(Homeless Experience Legal Protection)

www.homelesslegalprotection.org

TABLE OF CONTENTSI. Introduction to our Homeless Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

II. Schedule of Law Firms Providing Legal Consultation Services. . . . . . . . . . . . 4

III. Schedule of Notary Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

IV. Referral Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

V. VIA Link/United Way 211 Call Center - Social Service Assistance .. . . . . . . 7

VI. Procedure to be applied if a person does not have a certified copy of identification on file at a homeless center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

VII. Obtaining a Birth Certificate When a Person Has No Identification. . . . . . . . . 8

VIII. Cover Letter to Authorize Staff Member of Homeless Center to Obtain Client's Birth Certificate .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

IX. Transportation to the Office of Motor Vehicles to ObtainIdentification Cards .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

X. New Orleans Homeless Court Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

XI. HELP Program to Assist Homeless Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

XII. TB Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

XIII. Sample Issues Being Addressed at Homeless Centers.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

XIV. Law Student Volunteers.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

XV. Reflections By One of Our Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

XVI. Ciara Community Services for the Adult with Chronic Mental Illness . . . . .. 14

XVII. Pro Bono Project Intake form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

XVIII. Frequently Asked Questions About Obtaining Food Stamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

XIX. National Legal Assistance to the Homeless Contact People . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

ATTACHMENTS

1. Homeless Veterans Questionnaire

I. Introduction to our Homeless Program

Thank you for participating in our effort to provide legal consultation services and notaryservices for the homeless in our community. The following is what we are presently doing:

WHO WE ARE:

Homeless Experience Legal Protection (HELP) is a volunteer program involvingattorneys, law students, and law firm secretaries and paralegals in cities across thecountry. HELP volunteers provide legal assistance, help with benefit applications, andnotary services to homeless clients.

History. HELP began in New Orleans in early 2004, when a newly appointedfederal district court judge, Jay Zainey, accompanied his fellow judges to serve a meal ata local shelter. While serving the meal, Judge Zainey began to think how much more anattorney could do for the shelter clients, and how that kind of service could changepeople's lives. With that simple but electrifying thought, HELP was born. Judge Zaineybegan to round up volunteer lawyers to staff a weekly clinic at the shelter, and had moresuccess than he had ever imagined. Soon he had hundreds of lawyers, clinics in morethan one shelter, and the desire to do even more. HELP began to expand to other cities,helped along by law firms who were volunteering in New Orleans but also had offices inother cities. Today, HELP volunteers are providing free legal services to the homeless inover 21 cities, and the list continues to grow.

Service Providers. In cities throughout the country, there are amazingorganizations dedicated to helping the homeless every single day. They provide shelterand food, of course. They also provide so much more: job training and placementservices, clothing, counseling, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, transportation to work orschool, schooling and child care. They provide a lifeline of security in a harsh and oftenunfriendly world. The individuals who operate these organizations are not justadministrators. They are friends, counselors, parents, protectors and encouragers. HELPsalutes their selfless dedication, and is grateful for their partnership with us. Please clickon the city links to learn more about the service providers with whom we work.

WHAT WE DO.

HELP partners with providers of other services to the homeless population in eachof its locations. Working with a local shelter, HELP establishes a regularly scheduledclinic to offer free legal services to homeless individuals. These services are provided byvolunteer attorneys from firms around the city. HELP clients may have many of the sametypes of legal problems and issues that any other individual might encounter, but lackedaccess to the justice system simply because they had no attorney to advocate for them. Inmany cases, the problem that was preventing the homeless individual from applying for ajob, seeking benefits to which he or she was entitled, or obtaining housing is something

that a lawyer is able to resolve in a matter of hours, or by making a few simple telephonecalls. Other cases are more complicated and require follow up representation, but in mostinstances the individual's legal problem is resolved, and what had been a major obstaclein their lives is no longer a problem.

In addition to legal representation, HELP involves law students, paralegals, andlaw firm secretaries who volunteer their time, skills, and services to assist the homeless. Law students assist clients in applying for social security or veteran's benefits, helpingthem to complete the application forms, obtaining required medical records and otherdocuments, and accompanying the client to the agency office to complete the process. Paralegals and secretaries not only assist the volunteer attorneys, but also provide notaryservices to certify copies of driver licenses, identification cards, and other importantdocuments. These services are vital, because the loss of a license or identification cardcan prevent the client from even being allowed to spend the night in a shelter, andobtaining a replacement can be a difficult and lengthy process when the person does nothave other proof of his or her identity. Certified copies are maintained at the shelter sothat when the original is lost, a certified copy is readily available.

1. Legal consultation services:

Office hours: Mondays 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Rebuild Center, 1802 Tulane Avenue Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Ozanam Inn, 843 Camp Street andthe Rebuild Center, 1802 Tulane Avenue.

Attorneys are consulting with anywhere from 4 - 15 people at each center each day. Usually,no follow up legal representation is required. However, if it is necessary, the attorney whoinitially consulted with the client will follow-up. If the attorney doesn't know how to helpwith the particular legal issue, we have a list of attorneys who have agreed to answerquestions and/or represent the person on a pro bono basis in particular areas of the law suchas Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits, criminal law, etc. If all else fails, the volunteercan refer the person to the Pro Bono Project, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, or theAdvocacy Center. The program began in May 2004. We ask that you bring your notary seal,as well as some of your letterhead stationary.

2. Notary services: One of the major problems facing the homeless is when they losetheir identification cards. Without an ID card, they can not spend the night in a homelessshelter, and they can't cash their SS or VA checks. It takes approximately thirty days for aperson who loses his ID card to obtain substantiating documentation so that person canreceive a replacement identification card. The Office of Motor Vehicles is now acceptingas substantiating documentation, a certified copy of the person's ID card to replace lost IDs1.As a result, lawyers and notaries are notarizing copies of the homeless centers' guestsidentification cards. The certified copies are then kept on file at the particular center where

1See House Concurrent Resolution filed by Representative Patrick Connick, and signedby Governor Bobby Jindal.

they were made, and if a person loses his ID card, he merely returns to the center, obtains thecertified copy of his ID, and presents it to the OMV. The OMV will then issue the person areplacement ID card.

The contact people at each of the centers are:

The Rebuild Center: Fr. Harry Tompson Center: Vicki Judice [email protected] St. Joseph's Center: Sr. Vera Butler [email protected] 522-3186 ext. 25

Ozanam Inn: Deacon G. [email protected] Adams [email protected] 523-1184

The Salvation Army: Karen Jackson [email protected] 330-3598

We have compiled this information to assist you in better serving the needs of our homelessbrothers and sisters. If you have any questions whatsoever, please feel free to call or e-mail meanytime. You can reach me at 589-7590 (office) or 236-4785 (cell). My e-mail address [email protected] .

II. Schedule of Law Firms Providing Legal Consultation Services

MONDAYS (Rebuild Center): WEDNESDAYS (Rebuild Cnt. and Ozanam Inn):

JANUARY:Chaffe McCall Staines & Eppling( Loretta Hoskins 585-7000) (Tony Staines 838-0019)

FEBRUARY:Montgomery Barnett Stone Pigman(Joe Tynan 585-7902) (Steve Bullock 581-3200)

MARCHBerrigan Litchfield Baldwin Haspel Burke and Mayer(Carey Daste 568-0541) (David Carrigee 569-2900)

APRILKing, Krebs and Jurgens Jones Swanson Huddell and Garrison(Lindsey Larson 666-1273) ( Lynn Swanson 523-2500)

MAYChopin Wagar Baker Donelson(Dick Chopin 830-3838) (Sherry Dolan 566-5292)

mailto:[email protected]




JUNEMcGlinchey Jones Walker(Erin Parkinson 586-1200) (Mark Cunningham 582-8000)

JULYDeutsch Kerrigan Phelps Dunbar(Tré Roux 593-0792) (Chris Ralston 584-9358)

AUGUSTLeake & Anderson Adams and Reese(Dean Arruebarrena 585-7500) (Mark Surprenant 585-0213)

SEPTEMBERBradley Murchison Barrasso Usdin(Ricky Crisler 596-6308 (Kristi Beckman 589-9700)

OCTOBERProskauer Rose Christovich and Kearney (Nici Eichberger 310-4088) (Nick Arnold 593-4258)

NOVEMBERKean Miller Liskow and Lewis(Julie Siebert 585-6050) (Todd Wallace 299-6116)

DECEMBERGainsburg Benjamin Gordon Arata(Gerry Meunier 522-2304) (Sara Mouledoux 582-1111)

We also have the following firms and associations on standby:

Schoenkas Evans McGoey & McEachinHamilton Law FirmHoutaling Law FirmSt. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers AssociationLouis Martinet SocietyKevin Christensen & Associates (Kevin Christensen 528-8878)

III. Schedule of Notary Services

The following are dates and times for the provision of Notary services at the variouscenters:

Monday 1:30 p.m. Ozanam InnTuesday 12:15 p.m. Rebuild Center (St. Joseph’s/Fr. Harry Tompson Center)

Wednesday 8:30 a.m. Salvation Army12:15 p.m. Rebuild Center ( St. Joseph’s/Fr. Harry Tompson Center)

Thursday 12:30 p.m. Rebuild Center (St. Joseph’s/Fr. Harry Tompson Center) 1:30 p.m. Ozanam Inn

IV. Referral Services

To assist you when you consult with your clients at the various centers we will be providingyou with a brochure prepared by the Unity for the Homeless which is a compilation of servicesavailable to the homeless population in New Orleans. Additionally, the following attorneys areready, willing and able to assist you with various problems which face our homeless brothers andsisters. Please feel free to call or e-mail these attorneys on any question that you may have in theirparticular field of expertise. The referral attorney will be more than happy to answer any questionsthat you may have, and will also be willing to provide pro bono legal representation for the clientin the event that you are unable to do so. Please feel free to call the people listed below, or givetheir name and phone number to your clients. Be sure to have your clients inform referral counselthat they received the attorney's name from the HELP volunteer lawyer.

VETERANS BENEFITS and related issues dealing with veteransDuke Williams (800) 256-1533 [email protected]

David LaCerte, Secretary of the Louisiana Department ofVeterans Affairs (225) 219-5590 or [email protected]

CRIMINAL DEFENSE REPRESENTATION (at New Orleans MunicipalCourt) Norman Pettingill 821-9142 [email protected]

Anita McCrossen [email protected]

CRIMINAL DEFENSE REPRESENTATIONKevin J. Christensen 309-6400 [email protected]

William L. Crull, III 581-7700

SOCIAL SECURITY, EMPLOYMENT LAW, FOOD STAMPS and related issues...Robert Moffett 282-2222 [email protected]

Erica Lee [email protected]

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY and projects to help serve the legal interestof indigents in the community access justice

Idela Wilson 862-8848Public Law Center a joint program with Tulane and Loyola

EVICTIONS, PRISONER'S RIGHTS, and other legal issues related to the homeless










Michael F. Vitt 568-1990 x 121 [email protected]

V. VIA Link/United Way 211 Call Center - Social Service Assistance

Below is a brief description of the information available to assist volunteer attorneys withsocial services issues they may run into while counseling clients at the homeless center clinics fromthe VIA Link Community Resources Directory and the information and referral services availablefrom the counselors at the VIA Link/United Way 211 call center. The call center has been alertedthat there may be calls coming in from volunteers and clients in this program. If anyone has furtherquestions about the VIA Link, please call Mary Beth Meyer. Mary Beth can be reached as follows:

Mary Beth MeyerChristovich & Kearney, L.L.P.Pan American Life Center, Suite2300 601 Poydras Street NewOrleans, LA 70130-6078 DID: (504)593-4324 FAX: (504) [email protected]

In order to assist clients with their social service needs that are not strictly of a legal nature,as described by clinic volunteers, copies of the VIA Link Community Resource Directory, acomprehensive listing of numerous social service resources in the New Orleans area, have beenprovided at each of the clinics. The online version of this directory is at WWW.vialink.org. Theonline directory is continually updated and contains the most current information on availableprograms and contacts.

211 is the nationally designated number for easy access to community resources. The ViaLink/United Way 211 call center is a valuable community service that is available to help youhelp your homeless clients get assistance with their non-legal, social service needs. By dialing211, you or your client will reach counselors who can provide information and referrals for socialservices, including the basics of food, utility assistance, child care, etc. and numerous other socialservices that are available in the New Orleans metropolitan area. It is important to note that if youor your clients are using a cell phone or calling from one of the office buildings with phonesystems that are not programmed for 211calls, you will need to call 269-2673 (COPE) for thisservice (1-800-749-2673 toll free if outside the 504 calling area). Printed cards with thesenumbers will be available for you to distribute to your clients at each of the centers.

In addition to information and referral services,the VIA Link call center also provides suicideprevention and crisis intervention counseling 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The early morninghours when the law clinics are open are among the busiest times at the call center. The counselorsare answering calls on a priority basis as promptly as possible with the resources available, however,you may have to wait to speak to a counselor; if so, your patience will be appreciated. Of course, thecounselors’ ability to help clients obtain utilities assistance, or to place clients in substance abuseprograms, for example, will be limited by the availability of funds or services in the community atany given time. Sadly, in too many situations, the safety net is not there.


VI. Procedure to be applied if a person does not have a certified copy of identificationon file at a homeless center.

Ozanam Inn and the Rebuild Center have a procedure to aid the homeless with obtaining newidentification cards. The client merely brings a copy of his/her birth certificate to Ozanam Inn duringregular business hours, and asks one of the staff members to complete an 'Assistance Request' form. Ozanam Inn's regular business hours are 8am - 4pm.

VII. Obtaining a Birth Certificate When a Person Has No Identification

According to Ms. Valerie Helmstetter with the Bureau of Vital Statistics, there are three waysin which a person can obtain a birth certificate without having identification:

1. If the person was in jail, he merely needs to present a copy of his prison releasepapers or prison identification card to the Bureau of Vital Statistics;

2. AN ATTORNEY (such as our volunteer attorneys) can request the birth certificateif the attorney writes a letter on his/her letterhead stationary, and states that he/she representsthe person for purposes of obtaining a birth certificate. (See R.S. 40:41, as amended). Theattorney will have to personally submit the letter, OR, the attorney, on his/her letterhead, canauthorize someone (i.e. the director of the homeless center) to obtain the birth certificate onbehalf of the person. There is a fee of $9 for a birth card, and $15 for a birth certificate.

3. Birth certificates can now be ordered on-line at www.vitalchek.com. Ms. Helmstetteradvised me that other documents (such as an application to register to vote, or Social Securitycard) can be used by the person to obtain his/her birth certificate. Remember, a person needsa birth certificate in order to apply for a Louisiana state identification card for the first time.For more information on identification cards, see IX. on Page 9.

State residents are able to order copies of birth and death certificates by using the followingwebsite: www.vitalchek.com.

VIII. Cover Letter to Authorize Staff Member of Homeless Center to Obtain Client's BirthCertificate

This is a sample of the cover letter that you can use when you request the Bureau of VitalStatistics to allow Vicki Judice, Sr. Vera, Deacon G, Clarence Adams or their designee, to obtainthe person's birth certificate [see Section VIII(2)]. This should also be typed on your letterhead.

Dear Sirs:

Attached to this cover letter is a request that you issue a birth certificate to myclient (name). This letter further authorizes (Sr. Vera, Vicki Judice, etc.) to obtainfrom the Bureau of Vital Statistics my client (name)'s birth certificate.

Thanking you for your cooperation, I am

Very truly yours,

http://www.vitalchek.com



A staff member will prepare this cover letter on your stationary, and this will be included with yourletter of representation which will enable the staff member, or designee to pick up your client's birthcertificate.

IX. Obtaining a Louisiana State Identification Card

In order to apply for a Louisiana state ID for the first time, a birth certificate (or passportor DD214) is required, plus two other documents, such as a Social Security card/printout, amedical card or an out-of-state ID. The complete list of acceptable documents can be viewed atwww.expresslane.org.

There are two agencies which assist homeless people in getting their state ID., both of whichrequire a letter of homelessness.

Rebuild Center: Get in line to sign up any Tuesday morning at 7:30 am. Transportation tothe Office of Motor Vehicles leaves every Tuesday at 10:00 am.

Ozanam Inn: Sign up any day Monday-Wednesday from 9 am to 4 pm. Transportation tothe Office of Motor Vehicles leaves every Thursday at 10:00 am.

X. New Orleans Homeless Court Program

The New Orleans Homeless Court (NOHC) started in May of 2010. The NOHC convenesonce a month on the third Wednesday of every month in Orleans Parish Municipal Court,Courtroom A. Judge Paul Sens, Chief Judge of Municipal Court, presides.

A significant percentage of the Orleans Parish Municipal Court docket consists ofhomeless men and women, many of whom find themselves on the Municipal Court docket on aregular basis. NOHC offers assistance to these defendants in two ways. The Court recognizes thatthese defendants are best served by treatment, not punishment. NOHC is designed to assist thehomeless receive much needed treatment and services. When the docket convenes on the thirdWednesday of every month, present in Court are a number of homeless service providers,including UNITY of New Orleans, an umbrella group of providers that works to find suitablehousing; Veterans Justice Outreach; Metropolitan Human Services District, and local homelessshelters. Many of these providers are already case workers for the defendants in Court. For thosewithout a case worker, an assessment can be done and services identified. NOHC also aims tohelp those individuals ready to move on with their lives to clear their record of legal offensesrelated to their homeless condition and which pose an impediment to placement in housingand/or employment.

Success stories of the NOHC are like the story of one man referred by the SalvationArmy. Working with the Salvation Army, he was housed through its rapid housing project andtemporarily employed as a construction worker. This gentleman then worked to clear his recordof several municipal offenses. He has now been able to successfully secure gainful full time

employment. He even has plans to marry his girlfriend in the near future.

NOHC Contact Information:

Sherry Dolan; (504) 566.5292 (o); [email protected] (email)

Paul Colomb; (504) 566.8671 (o); [email protected] (email)

You can also get information about NOHC through the HELP clinics at Ozanam Inn,Harry Tompson Center, The New Orleans Mission, and The Salvation Army.

XI. HELP Program to Assist Homeless Veterans

With the assistance of Lilia Valdez-Lindsley, Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist withthe Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System we will be starting a program which wehope will be of great benefit to homeless veterans, and with little effort on the part of ourvolunteers.

When our HELP volunteers are at the homeless shelters providing legal consultation andnotary services, please ask the person with whom you are meeting if he or she served in theUnited States Military. If so, please complete the attached questionnaire and give the completedquestionnaire to the director of the homeless shelter where you are providing services. Thedirectors of the centers will then follow up with Lilia.

Of course, please also continue to identify people who have an outstanding attachment sothat they can be assisted by the Homeless Court.

Again, many thanks to Lilia and the Veterans Administration, and to all of our HELPvolunteers for your assistance.

XII. TB Tests

When the homeless are incarcerated they are administered a TB test. They have to be givena TB test in order to get into the shelters. Dr. Richard Ingles, an Orleans Parish Prison physician, hasagreed to send a copy of the TB test to the staff members of the centers upon receipt of a form thathe has prepared for them to complete. This cuts down on the cost of having the clients get anothertest. Additionally, this helps speed up their ability to get into homeless shelters and prevents the threeday delay of getting another TB test - three days in which the homeless would otherwise be living"on the streets".

In the event that you meet with an individual who has recently been released from jail andwho needs his TB test results, inform Sister Vera or Vicki Judice at the Rebuild Center, or DeaconG at Ozanam Inn. They will complete the appropriate form and fax it to the prison, and they willreceive the test results to give to the client.

XIII. Sample Issues Being Addressed at Homeless Centers

A number of volunteers have asked about issues being addressed at the homeless centers. Thefollowing is an excerpt from a message I received from Brad Belsome, a member of Lemle Kelleher,who, along with other members of his firm, provided volunteer consultation during our first monthwith the homeless program. It provides a great summary of issues that were addressed:

“Below please find my comments/suggestions to your questions regarding the homelesslegal consultation program.”

(1) What issues were presented to you?

Most of the clients I have dealt with have had a problem with SSI benefits being denied ordiscontinued and require help with / advice regarding the appeal process. This was far and away themost presented issue to me. I had one individual with a problem regarding VA health benefits dueto a discharge from the army prior to the required two year period of service. One client had aproblem with traffic tickets and a suspended drivers license, which prevented him from obtainingre-employment as a truck driver after time served in jail. An individual needed assistance incompleting SSI forms due to illiteracy. A few individuals were seeking financial assistance forvarious reasons. One client could not afford required prescription medication. Finally, a few of thepeople I have dealt with related stories of mass conspiracies against them; medical malpracticecommitted against them (based on the outrageous account delivered, I believe this story wasprompted by my initially answering the question, "what type of lawyer are you"); a family fraudrelating to the exact nature of a testamentary disposition contained in a parent's will for which asuccession was opened in St. Mary Parish in the mid 1970's and until now he did not care that he wasfraudulently induced into signing away his actual inheritance and only receiving roughly half of hisclaimed entitlement; and an individual who claimed to have been run over by an alcoholic doctorin Eugene Oregon only six months ago resulting in a coma which lasted until roughly the weekbefore he consulted me.

(2) The approximate number of people with whom each of you spoke:

The first time I was there, I spoke with four individuals and the second time I spoke with six.

(3) How much time did you have to spend "away from your normal daily functions"?

Including walking to the center from the office, seeing clients, returning from the center andpreparing a summarization email, I would say that I have spent roughly four hours (2 hours per dayof counseling) thus far.

(4) Suggestions:

As I indicated to you in previous correspondence, I believe that just a lawyer's presence inthe center to allow individuals to be able to voice their stories helps out. SSI and other benefitprograms are definitely issues that continue to come up at the center, so volunteers withexperience in these matters is a good idea. You have provided a list of contacts for these areas ofconcern, so that will help tremendously. Other "issues" (as described above) can be helpedsimply by lending an ear. Finally, the ability to keep the clients on track must be stressed to allfuture volunteers. If you allow the clients to ramble, they will.

XIV. Law Student Volunteers

We are coordinating a program with Loyola Law School and Tulane Law School studentsin which they will assist the homeless apply for Social Security benefits. The law students will meetat the Centers with homeless people who are interested in applying for Social Security benefits.Copies of the application, as well as Social Security approved medical release forms will be availableat the center so that the students can assist the homeless in completing the application, and so thatthe students, with the executed medical release forms, can obtain copies of the applicants’ medicalrecords.

Once the student has the completed application and the medical records, he will meet theperson he is assisting at the Social Security office to meet with the Social Security staff member,submit the application and determine if the staff member needs any further information. Since accessto transportation is very limited, plans are underway to set aside a particular day of the week (bi-weekly) for the homeless and their law student volunteer to meet with the staff members to formallysubmit their applications and medical records. Transportation for the applicant can be provided fromthe homeless center to the Social Security office.

This procedure benefits the applicant because it expedites processing his application sincehe will be submitting his medical records with his application. This procedure benefits the SocialSecurity office because it decreases the amount of time a staff person takes in assisting a person inapplying for benefits, as well as the time in requesting medical records and following up to makesure that the records are received. Another advantage is that those people who fit the criteria ofbeing in dire need will be able to receive benefits to which they are entitled in an expeditiousmanner.

Law students also assist homeless veterans by working with them to complete questionnairesthat they submit to the the Veterans Administrator to determine if a veteran is eligible for benefits.

XV. Reflections By One of Our Volunteers

Webster's defines ignorance as "the absence of knowledge." Several weeks ago I wrote toyou regarding the "eye opening" experiences I had encountered as part and parcel of participatingin your program to help the homeless. I know that you are extremely busy, and certainly apologizefor intruding on your day, but I am compelled to share with you another poignant example of justhow wrong, and ignorant, my preconceived notions of "the homeless" have proven to be. Before I

joined your program, the "homeless" were, in my mind's eye, this mass of humanity with neithershelter nor gainful employment, and all OBVIOUSLY due to lack of ambition, laziness, etc. Afterall, anyone can get a job somewhere, right? McDonald's is always hiring, isn't it ? Certainly anyonewith even the slightest bit of desire can get a job washing dishes, hauling garbage, digging ditches,or something, right? Well, I have learned that is not only not always the case, it can be the norm ina surprisingly large number of homeless cases. Circumstance can strike in such a manner that,despite one's best efforts, a roof over one's head, and/or a job, are impossible to attain, or maintain.Case in point: A gentleman seeking help this past Wednesday presented with the following facts:I'll call him "Benjamin." Benjamin is a 35 year old gentleman of African-American descent who,until 5 weeks ago, had never been homeless in his life. Benjamin worked 2 part time jobs to providefor himself, i.e., he worked 3-4 days/week washing dishes and busing tables at a local cafeteria, and1 day a week for a local construction company. Benjamin never received public assistance of anykind., i.e., no food stamps, welfare, disability, etc. The income from both jobs, while not exorbitantby any means, nonetheless provided for his sustenance. In June, Benjamin was working hisconstruction job when a pipe broke, covering him in commercial grade cement. Apparently,commercial grade concrete contains various chemical compounds/hardeners/etc. that can causesevere chemical burns. Benjamin sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns of his chest, stomach, andarms. Because of his burns, Benjamin was unable to work washing dishes or busing tables at thecafeteria, and was fired. Hold on, you might say: What about worker's compensation? Benjaminwas certainly hurt on the job and hence is entitled to W.C. benefits. True, but since Benjamin wasinjured on the job where he only worked an average of 1 day per week, the law mandates that hisemployer only has to pay him 66 & 2/3rds % of his average weekly wage; which in Benjamin's caseamounts to 2/3rds of 1 day's wages of $56, i.e., W.C. benefits of less than $38/week. At $38/week,Benjamin knew he could not pay his rent. Benjamin asked his landlord to bear with him until hecould get back to work; his landlord evicted him. Benjamin is now homeless, without either job ,and"earning" the total sum of $38/week. It is Benjamin's fervent desire to return to work as soon ashumanly possible. His burns, however, will prevent him from doing so for at least another 4-6weeks. Without a permanent address, Benjamin is worried that employers will not hire him oncehe is fit to return to work. Even if successful in securing employment, it will take him months tosave enough money for the required damage deposit, and first month's rent, even for a modest onebedroom apartment. In the interim, Benjamin reports that he has never been more scared in his life.The "streets", he reports, are a dangerous place. Most nights he has been successful in securing aroom at the Ozanam Inn or other homeless shelter; some nights he has not been so lucky, beingrelegated to sleeping in the bushes or in public parks, on top of his remaining belongings to preventtheir theft. Benjamin reports that the police have stopped and questioned him 3 times in the pastweek. So far, he has avoided being arrested and charged with "obstructing a public passage" forstanding on the sidewalk, or "criminal trespass" for sitting on the steps of One Shell Square or otherdowntown hi-rise buildings. Many of his fellow homeless have not been so lucky, having spentmany nights in Central Lock-up. Naturally, Benjamin fears that his days as a "free" man may benumbered. Sooner or later he believes that he too will be arrested, essentially for being homeless.An arrest record will undoubtedly further hamper his efforts to secure employment. I volunteeredto help the homeless program to help the disadvantaged. At this moment I fervently believe that Ihave benefitted much more than those I was, and am, seeking to help. At the very least, my

"ignorance" of the plight of the homeless has been eradicated.

XVI. Ciara Community Services

Ciara Community ServicesMonday -Friday 8:30 a.m. -5:30 p.m.1131 St. Andrew Street, New Orleans, LA70130 Telephone: 524-8394

No person is excluded from servicebecause of race, color, sex, sexualorientation, age, religion, national origin, orphysical handicap.

For the Adult with Chronic Mental Illness

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, through Ciara Community Services, offersresidential and supportive services for persons in the greater New Orleans area with chronic mentalillness.

Independant Living

Ciara Independent Living Program provides supportive living services to adults in thegreater New Orleans area who are recovering from mental illness. Clients appropriate to thisprogram have either successfully completed a group home placement or demonstrated a capacityfor independent living. They may work, receive Supplementary Security Income (SSI), SocialSecurity Disability Income (SSD), or be financially supported by family. The clients of theIndependent Living Program work, go to day programs, or provide volunteer services during theday. Ciara bases its services on the concept of normalization, providing the least intrusiveprofessional assistance needed. Rent, utilities, and supportive living fees are based on a slidingscale. Fees for services in private apartments depend on the cost of the apartment, supervisionneeds, and the income of the client.

XVII. Pro Bono Project Intake Form

If you have a case which will take extensive time, please contact the Pro Bono ProjectExecutive Director Rachel Piercey at 581-4043 to request the Pro Bono Project Intake Form.

XVIII. Frequently Asked Questions About Obtaining Food Stamps

HOMELESS AND HUNGRY: GETTING FOOD STAMPS WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE AHOME - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Produced May, 2005 by Homeless Legal Advocacy Project,

New Orleans Legal Assistance (an office of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services)1010 Common,Ste. 1400 AnnexNew Orleans, LA70112504-529-1000

I’M HOMELESS AND HUNGRY. WHAT HELP IS OUT THERE FOR ME?

In Louisiana, you should be able to get food stamps if you:

KLive in Louisiana;KHaven’t just finished serving time for a felony;KDon’t have any warrants; and KHave a lowenough income.

HOW DO I GET FOOD STAMPS?

Apply at any Office of Family Support. The one closest to downtown New Orleans is at 1661 CanalSt. (near South Claiborne). You do not need an appointment, but be prepared to have to wait in line. You may apply and then be asked to come back again later, as well. If you are asked to come back,be sure to leave a signed application, however. If you get SSI, you can also apply at any SocialSecurity office.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME TO APPLY?

If you have it, you should bring proof of how much money you have coming in. But, even if youdon’t have any papers, go ahead and apply. The state will help you get what you need if you askthem for help and can’t get it yourself.

DO I NEED A PHOTO ID TO APPLY FOR FOOD STAMPS?

NO. You do need some form of identification, but a letter from a homeless shelter or other serviceprovider will do. If told that you need photo ID to apply, please get in touch with New Orleans LegalAssistance right away.

DO I NEED AN ADDRESS TO APPLY FOR FOOD STAMPS?

You need to have some place where they can send you mail. This can be a shelter or day center,though. You do not need a home address.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET MY FOOD STAMPS?

The state has certain time limits for how long they can take to give you food stamps. If you are reallybroke, however, and have less than $100 in monthly income and less than $150 in cash or otherassets, you should be eligible for expedited food stamps. You should get those within a week. Youneed to make sure to tell the worker that you want expedited food stamps if you fall into thiscategory. Even if you can’t get expedited food stamps, the state must still make a decision in 60

days.

I WORK A LITTLE BIT WHEN I CAN; CAN I STILL GET FOOD STAMPS?

If you have a low enough income, you can get food stamps even if you have money coming in. Howmuch you can be earning depends on how large your family is and what sort of expenses you have. It is always best to apply even if you are not sure you will qualify.

HOW MUCH WILL I GET?

This also varies with how much money you have coming in and how large your family is. If youhave income but still qualify, it could be as little as $10. If you have a large family, it could behundreds of dollars. The state has to send you a letter saying how they figured out how much you’regetting. If you would like to make sure that you’re getting everything that you should, contact NewOrleans Legal Assistance or Southeast La. Legal Services for help.

I’M ON THE STREETS AND DON’T HAVE A KITCHEN OR A FRIDGE. WHAT GOODARE FOOD STAMPS TO ME?

Food stamps can be used at some homeless shelters for meals. Also, you can buy food like breador peanut butter which you can eat without needing a fridge or a kitchen. You cannot usually usefood stamps to get pre-prepared foods, though. THE STATE DENIED MY FOOD STAMPS OR ISN’T GIVING ME ALL THAT I SHOULDGET. WHAT CAN I DO?

Appeal any decision that the food stamps office makes that you think is wrong. You get 90 days toappeal their decision from the day that they send it to you. Appeal by either going to any Office ofFamily Support and asking or getting legal help to file an appeal. If you appeal within 10 days, youcan keep getting your food stamps while you are waiting on your hearing. But, if you lose, you willhave to pay them back.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I APPEAL?

You will get a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. These hearings are held at the Office ofFamily Support. The state will explain why they did what they did. You can ask questions andexplain why you think that they were wrong. You have a right to have someone help you with yourhearing. You can get this help by contacting New Orleans Legal Assistance.

This brochure is for information only and is not legal advice. Legal advice depends on the specificfacts of each case. This information cannot be guaranteed to be up-to-date, as laws change. Talkwith a lawyer if you have a legal problem. Information in this brochure cannot replace the adviceof a lawyer.

FREE LEGAL SERVICES SoutheastLa. Legal Services New Orleans andJeffersonNew Orleans Legal Assistance(an office of SLLS) 1010

Common, Ste. 1400 Annex NewOrleans, LA 70112504-529-1000(call ext. 252 or 254 for Homeless Legal Advocacy Project, or come in on the first or thirdWednesday of any month from 1-3 p.m). For food stamps emergencies or deadlines, come inanytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Hammond1200 Derek Drive, Ste.100 Hammond, LA70403 985-345-2130

Covington2100 N. Highway 190, Ste. BCovington, LA 70434985-893-0076

XIX. National Legal Assistance to the Homeless Contact People

National Alliance to End Homelessness Nan Roman [email protected]

National Law Center on Homelessness and PovertyMaria Foscarinis [email protected] Atlanta, GA:•Atlanta, GA H.E.L.P. ProgramContacts: Henry Levi [email protected]

Clint Crosby [email protected]

•Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless477 Peachtree StreetAtlanta, GA 30308www.homelesstaskforce.org404-230-5000Contact: Seth Clark [email protected]

Anita Beaty [email protected]

Baton Rouge, LA:Thirst for Justice/HELP Program Contact: Ann Scarle [email protected]

Birmingham, ALBirmingham, AL H.E.L.P. ProgramContact: Lisa Borden [email protected]







Old Firehouse Shelter1501 Third Avenue NorthP.O. Box 11722Birmingham, AL 35202205-252-9571Contact: Steve Freeman [email protected]

First Light Shelter2230 Fourth Avenue NorthBirmingham, AL 35203205-323-4277Contact: Sherry Webb [email protected]

Bloomington, INBloomington, IN Shalom H.E.L.P. Program

Forrest GilmoreExecutive Director, Shalom Community [email protected]

Chicago, IL:Chicago Coalition to End HomelessnessContact: Laurene [email protected]

REST941 W. Lawrence Avenue 4th floorContact: Kathleen [email protected](773) 784-0909

Deborah's Place Center1530-32 N. Sedgwick (Brown Line Sedgewick Stop)Contact: Kim [email protected](312) 944-0909

Colombia, SC:Columbia, SC H.E.L.P. ProgramContacts: Will Dillard [email protected]


Catholic Charities of the Midlands1529 Assembly StreetColumbia, SC 29202For appointments, please call 803-254-9776

Transitions Center2025 Main StreetColumbia, SC 29201For appointments, sign up sheets are periodically posted at the Transitions Center

Denver, CO:Colorado Lawyers CommitteeConnie Talmage [email protected]

Detroit, MIContats: Susan Kornfield [email protected]. Peter and Paul Warming Center438 Antoine StreetDetroit, MI 48226Lydia Maola [email protected]

El Paso, TXSandra Lewis [email protected] Salome-Smith [email protected]

Greenville, NCSouth Carolina Legal Services701 S. Main StreetGreenville, NC 29601Thomas Bruce 864-679-3252 [email protected]

Hartford, CT:Contact: Bob Kettle [email protected] Housing & Shelter118 Main St.Hartford, CT 06106

House of Bread27 Chestnut StreetHartford, CT 06120

Participating Law Firms and Bar Associations: June, 2011•Bracewell & Giuliani


•Brown Rudnick•Connecticut Bar Association's Young Lawyers Section•Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association•Day Pitney LLP•Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge•George W. Crawford Bar Association•Krutick Craig Law LLP•Murtha Cullina LLP•Kenny, O'Keefe & Usseglio. P.C.

Jackson, MS:Jackson, MS H.E.L.P. ProgramContact: Ryan Beckett, Esq. (Firms Coordinator)

[email protected] Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers [email protected] (601) 960-9577

Stewpot Community Services1100 West Capitol StreetJackson, MS 39203-2635(601) 353-2759

Lafayette, LA:Susan Holliday [email protected]

Los Angeles, CA:HELP-LADiana Fakhrai [email protected]

St. Vincent's Cardinal Manning Center231 Winston StreetLos Angeles, CA 90013

Lubbock, TX:Larry Spain [email protected]

Memphis, TN:Memphis, TN H.E.L.P. ProgramContact: Lori Hackleman Patterson [email protected]

Hospitality Hub146 Jefferson AvenueMemphis, TN 38103

Nashville, TN:Nashville, TN H.E.L.P. ProgramContacts: Jill Suwanski (www.bakerdonelson.com) [email protected]

Lisa Borden [email protected]

Room In The Inn's Campus for Human Development532 8th Avenue SouthNashville, TN 37203www.roomintheinn.com615-251-9791Shannon Wagner [email protected] Stevens [email protected]

New Orleans, LA: Jay C. Zainey [email protected]

New York City, NY : New York City, NY (H.E.L.P. Program): Feerick Center for Social Justice and Dispute ResolutionContacts: Dean John Feerick [email protected]

Dora Galacatos [email protected] Bisdale [email protected] Haggerty [email protected]

Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)32 Broadway, 15th FloorNew York, NY 10004212-422-4855www.ceoworks.org

Project Renewal - Third Street Men's Shelterwww.projectrenewal.org

Urban Pathways - The Open Door402 West 41st Street

New York, NY 10036212-465-0975www.urbanpathways.org

Urban Pathways - The Antonio G. Olivieri Center257 West 30th StreetNew York, NY 10001212-947-3211www.urbanpathways.org

Norfolk/Virginia Beach, VA : Contact: Linda Jones [email protected] Union Mission Ministries130 Brooke Ave.P.O. Box 3203Norfolk, VA 23514www.unionmissionministries.org757-427-1500

Pittsburgh, PA:Pittsburgh HELP ProgramContacts: Lisa Pampena [email protected]

Pamela Lynn Dalton-Arlotti [email protected] K. Albert [email protected]

Operation Safety NetLinda Sheets [email protected]

San Francisco, CA:Homeless Advocacy Project, Bar Association of San Francisco Teresa Friend [email protected]

Savannah, GA:Jennifer Dickinson [email protected]

Shreveport, LA :Patti Guin [email protected] Ruth Moore [email protected]

Washington, D.C.Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless Patty Fugere [email protected]

Revised: 09/03/2013



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