Open Hands Legal Services is a Christian non-profit organization that provides free legal aid, advocacy, and spiritual support to the poor and disenfranchised of New York City.
Cause Areas
Boroughs
About
Open Hands Legal Services is a Christian non-profit organization.
Recognizing that the law is one of the most powerful anti-poverty tools available, we put it in the hands of New York's most vulnerable by conducting mobile legal aid desks and "Know Your Rights" seminars at soup kitchens and shelters across New York City. We mobilize volunteers to conduct intake and identify and remove the barriers to success that are legal in nature. Using the law, we can help the homeless obtain housing, the unemployed obtain a fair chance to work, re-entering citizens to move beyond crippling debt, and more.
Volunteers also help provide translation services, both virtual and in-person, during the week as well as at weekend Legal Aid Desks.
Mission
Our mission is to uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed in New York. We bring free legal services directly to community members at host non-profit organizations throughout the city. We break down the legal barriers to their success, enabling them to flourish and embody the full persons they are intended to be.
How we support them
How We Serve Together
Our volunteer attorneys serve at all of Open Hands' programs: Legal Aid Desks and Know Your Rights Workshops.
What We Help Fund
Our grants support program supplies for Open Hands' programs at twelve HFNY Affiliates to bring free legal aid services to existing community-based organizations.
How We Equip Them
We supported Open Hands' construction of a three-year strategic plan, which required the services of a consultant. This plan guided OHLS' growth from one Legal Aid Desk in 2011 to three programs at six HFNY affiliates in 2014.
