Greetings!
 Welcome to the first issue of the CHLAP Newsletter. In the community service world, resources and up-to-the-minute knowledge are key to volunteers in helping the people who come to them for advice and assistance. This newsletter was conceived by CHLAP leaders as a way to help keep you informed. Look to your inbox at the beginning of every month for updates, calendar events, and other news of note. As always, thank you for your commitment to Cleveland's homeless and at-risk community.
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Upcoming clinics & events
Note for your clients
 Fugitive Safe Surrender - Sept. 22-25
American citizens and legal residents who are wanted in Cuyahoga County can surrender in safety at the Mt. Zion Church in Oakwood Village Sept. 22-25 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Click here for more information, or call (877) 64-SURRENDER.
Cleveland Lawyers Initiative on Re-Entry
Sept. 27 at Thompson Hine
3900 Key Center, 127 Public Sq.
Please join area attorneys in an organizational meeting around reentry issues. RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 22 by emailing Cynthia.Cain@ThompsonHine.com. Click here for more information.
NEW Legal Intake at Cosgrove Center
Volunteers will staff a legal intake at Bishop Cosgrove Center,
1736 Superior Ave., on Wednesday, Sept. 29, to gauge interest in holding
regular intakes onsite.
CHLAP CLE Presentation - FREE for volunteers
Oct. 27 - Pro Bono Week3.5 hr. CLE - FREE for CHLAP volunteers
"Common
Issues and Resources for Homeless or At-Risk Individuals" - Lawyers' Guide to Intake at CHLAP Clinics
- Criminal Law Update
- Juvenile Court Update
- Update on Debtor/Consumer Law, inc.
The
Bankruptcy Bypass Program
Click here to register. |
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In the News
Movement Growing to Ban Inquiry into Past
Convictions in Employment, Housing
On Aug. 16, the Washington Times reported that the movement by ex-felons and their
advocates to limit questions about past convictions in employment and housing
applications has been gaining traction.
Proponents of the so-called "Ban the Box" movement have been asking
lawmakers to limit or bar the box applicants commonly must check asking if they
have ever been convicted of a crime, claiming the question leads them to be
rejected out of hand and thus makes it difficult even for reformed ex-criminals
to re-establish their lives and integrate into society. As a pending class action discrimination
lawsuit in San Francisco
shows, some groups argue that Hispanics, blacks, and other minorities are
unfairly targeted by employers who perform background and credit checks. Critics, however, note that felon status
isn't a protected class, and say that background and credit checks are
legitimate hiring tools to promote a safe workplace environment.
Click here for the full article.
Ohio Bill Seeks to Erase Records for
Multiple Offenders
On Aug. 18, the Columbus Dispatch reported that six state
senators have proposed a bill that would allow nonviolent offenders with
multiple convictions to seal off court and police records from public view
after five years of clean conduct. The
legislation, introduced by Sen. Shirley Smith of Cleveland, would also require individuals,
private businesses, and news media to destroy old records or articles they hold
about the convictions of those who win expungement orders. Under the bill, employers
would also be forbidden to run criminal background checks except where required
by law, and would be prohibited from denying jobs to applicants based solely on
their past convictions.
Click here for the full article.
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Find out more
For the most current list of community events and resources, check out the CHLAP page of the CMBA website by clicking here.
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Volunteer Spotlight
In future issues, we would like to showcase volunteers through a shared
experience or helpful tip. If you have ideas for a future issue,
please email Jessica Paine at jpaine@clemetrobar.org.
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