DESCRIPTION
Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia is one of the leading legal services programs in the country. At CLS, our mission is to fight poverty, challenge systems that perpetuate injustice, and change lives through cutting-edge advocacy and exceptional legal representation. CLS serves a diverse client community with issues that impact all aspects of life. One of CLS’s practice areas is centered on home ownership preservation.
CLS seeks an AmeriCorps VISTA Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator for the Homeownership and Consumer Rights Unit to provide critical outreach to Philadelphia neighborhoods in key areas and provide some legal advocacy on clients’ behalf. This is a full-time five days per week position to be located at CLS’s North Philadelphia Law Center. This is a one-year AmeriCorps VISTA position. An overview of VISTA benefits for 2018, including living allowance and health benefits can be found on our website.
POSITION SUMMARY
The goal of this project is to connect underserved neighborhoods with legal resources to save their homes from mortgage and property tax foreclosures. The Outreach Coordinator will work closely with community organizations and neighborhood-based staff of elected officials. In addition, the person will organize outreach efforts, including training sessions, and will conduct intake interviews with homeowners seeking assistance from CLS. The Outreach Coordinator will also develop stand-alone self-help documents, at appropriate reading levels, to assist low- income Philadelphians with homeownership and consumer rights issues. Additionally, the Outreach Coordinator will perform limited legal advocacy on homeowners’ behalf under attorney supervision. This project is an exciting opportunity to tackle poverty issues in Philadelphia, amplify CLS’s work and advocacy in homeownership issues, and develop resources aimed at educating and informing clients of their rights and legal options to preserve a basic life necessity—their housing.