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Celebrating a New Partnership with NAACP Equal Justice Works Fellow, Martina Tiku

…ku, an Equal Justice Works Fellow at the Atlanta NAACP. Martina Tiku Equal Justice Works Fellow Martina Tiku is dedicated to helping advance housing justice in Atlanta, and we couldn’t be more excited for this news partnership through the NAACP. Martina’s Equal Justice Works Fellowship project focuses on “improving housing stability in Atlanta by using grassroots advocacy, client-driven affirmative litigation, and tenant education to redress housi…

PurSHOEing Justice Welcoming Remarks

Every nine seconds – every nine seconds – a woman in the US is the victim of domestic violence. Every nine seconds. One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. One in four. Good evening. My name is Michael Lucas and I have the privilege of being the Deputy Director of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. Our Safe Families Office is the place where A…

Board Member Spotlight: Ashley Heintz

…curities litigation. In addition to serving on AVLF’s Junior Board and the PurSHOEing Justice planning committee, I also serve on the Board of Reading Is Essential For All People (REAP) and the Board of the Make-A-Wish of Georgia Atlanta Young Professionals. How did you get involved with Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation? In the fall of 2014, my mentor and AVLF Board Member Walt Davis, knowing I was passionate about public service, the access t…

Letter from the Leadership: So Much More Than Shoes

…that make me want to throw back my head and scream until I lose my voice. PurSHOEing Justice was the brainchild of Elizabeth Finn Johnson and Jennifer Jackson, who wanted to get more women involved with AVLF. Jennifer knew a guy who bought fancy shoes for a department store – why not invite him to bring his wares to party, where female lawyers could sip cocktails, shop, and learn about the Safe Families Office? It was, frankly, brilliant. The res…

One Step Toward Justice

…t froze her account. With strong legal representation, Mrs. Thomas got the garnishment dismissed and recovered all of her frozen funds. I came to work for Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation so that I can help low income people like Mrs. Thomas take a small step in the direction of justice. As AVLF’s new director of housing and consumer programs, I ask you to take that step with me. A single good lawyer with an ounce of compassion can change a li…

9 Ways to Get Involved for National Housing Week of Action

…rassroots affordable housing activism! You can learn all about the Housing Justice League on their website. The Housing Justice League empowers renters and homeowners to self-organize and defend their right to remain. They fight to preserve affordable housing, prevent gentrification, and build neighborhood power for an Atlanta-wide housing justice movement. 4. Learn about the NPU Initiative. Do you know that if you’re over 18 and living in Atlanta…

Board Member Spotlight: Elizabeth Finn Johnson

…ur favorite AVLF moment? I have to say that getting our newest fundraiser, PurSHOEing Justice, off the ground to bring women together to support other women while shopping for great shoes is my fave AVLF moment! What are you proudest of professionally? I am proud that I have been able to pursue my passion for increasing access to justice for the underserved and disenfranchised in our community, and that I have been able to inspire others to do the…

Letter From Leadership: Taking Time for Gratitude

…l manifestations. But mostly, AVLF is the idea that, inspired to fight for justice and led by the lawyers of our community, together we can create safe and stable families and homes. AVLF is the recognition that real justice demands unlimited access to it; AVLF is the presumption that everyone with a Bar license understands that license for the weapon that it is and will use it to promote the common good. We appreciate every single thing you do th…

Elizabeth Finn Johnson Found Her Passion for Pro Bono at AVLF

…privilege to represent in taking a stand against that violence. Access to justice for all is the responsibility of all of us, but especially of lawyers. Lawyers have a unique opportunity to ensure that everyone is entitled to equal protection under the law and equal access to justice, and I believe that lawyers MUST do this work. But my involvement in AVLF has been more than having the opportunity to volunteer. I joined the Board in 2009, served…

3 Reasons Why Housing Justice is an LGBTQ Issue

…e particularly vulnerable to housing instability. As advocates for housing justice, it’s critical for us to recognize this and understand the reasons why. 1. LGBTQ people are disproportionately living in poverty, and therefore are more likely to need affordable housing. A recent study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that 21.6% of LGBTQ people in the United States experience poverty, compared to 15.7% of cisgender* straight pe…

Community, Teamwork, and Housing Justice: Not Your Average Internship

…are forced to live in, it is difficult to imagine how even the smallest injustices can destabilize their lives.” However, it was the interactions with clients that stole my heart. I visited several clients in their homes, some of whom were elderly and disabled, and interviewed them about the poor conditions they were facing. I took photographs of their apartments and heard stories about landlord neglect. Until you actually speak to the clients fa…