September Change for Good Partner: Center for NonProfit Legal Services

September's Change for Good Partner is

Center for NonProfit Legal Services

The Center for NonProfit Legal Services has provided free/low-cost civil legal assistance to low-income persons and seniors residing in Jackson County since 1972.

Clients include individuals or families living at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level and/or are over 60, who struggle with problems stemming from poor health care, inadequate education, a lack of food, a scarcity of jobs, domestic violence, and other life-and death survival issues. 

 

A private, non-profit law firm serving Jackson county, their mission is

"To secure justice for and protect the rights of needy persons residing in Jackson County so that such persons shall not by reason of being in financial need be denied equal protection under the law."  

Their Immigration Law Project concentrates on finding pathways to secure status by focusing on citizenship. Their housing unit has increased their outreach and legal education for fair housing and tenants' rights/responsibilities. 

The Immigration Law Project strives to uplift and support the local immigrant community, including filing petitions for DACistas, vulnerable youth, and survivors of violence. When CNPLS clients receive a deserved benefit from the Department of Homeland security, they can then access work authorization and feel empowered to participate civically in our community- a direct benefit to us all.

 

CNPLS and the members of the Jackson County Bar are some of the leading contributors of the Campaign for Equal Justice (CEJ). Established by Oregon lawyers in 1991, CEJ has the mission of making equal access to justice a reality for all Oregonians, and is the support organization for Oregon's legal aid program. 

Support  for CEJ, makes a difference for low-income and elderly Oregonians all across the state. Legal aid programs serve people with the most critical legal needs—food, shelter, medical care, income maintenance, and physical safety. 

Statewide there are approximately 750,000 low-income and elderly Oregonians eligible for legal aid services. The need has increased under pressure from the Covid pandemic and wildfires. Oregon legal aid programs served about 39,000 families and individuals last year, and helped an additional 122,000 people through advocacy on benefits and programs that affect low-income people. Despite the tremendous efforts of CEJ volunteers and contributors, legal aid still meets just 15% of the legal needs of Oregon’s low-income. 

 

The only service of its kind in the county, CNPLS has resolved over 36,000 cases since its incorporation in 1972.

 

Round up at the register through the month of September to raise funds to support legal services for those in need in Jackson County.

 

To learn more about this local organization and other ways to support their work, visit cnpls.org

 

What is Change for Good?

The AFC Gives committee focuses on ways that the Co-op community can support local organizations and groups doing important work in the Rogue Valley.
2020 was the first year of Change for Good, a register round-up program to benefit a slate of ten organizations, voted on by Co-op owners, through the cumulative donations of shoppers choosing to round-up their shopping total to the nearest dollar.
From one cent to 99 cents, it all adds up to feeling good about supporting the community.