fbpx
Search
Close this search box.

In times of crisis, act

RESPONDING TO COVID-19: NYLAG ANNUAL REPORT 2020

“I never thought in my lifetime that I would need legal advice and not have the funds to pay for it myself. When this COVID-19 nightmare began and I lost my job, I was panic-stricken. A friend referred me to NYLAG and since our first session, you have been my angel.”

COVID-19 CHANGED OUR WORLD.

NYLAG QUICKLY RESPONDED WITH CRITICAL SERVICES.

A long line of people wearing face masks

89,160

adults and children impacted by NYLAG’s services in FY20

3,250

tenants represented by NYLAG who were facing eviction, displacement, and homelessness

Image of a mother kissing her young daughter in the kitchen.

220

family offense petitions filed by NYLAG during COVID-19 for domestic violence survivors. 

4,570

public benefits cases handled so seniors, families, and children could access food and resources to survive

  • Created online COVID-19 resource center
  • Filed federal habeas lawsuits for immigrant detainees infected with COVID-19
  • Drafted an Executive Order (EO) to ensure frontline hospital workers may designate a standby guardian for their child
  • Played critical role in new EO that temporarily allowed remote witnessing of health care proxies
  • Got DHS to move vulnerable adults in shelter to isolation beds as a proactive measure
  • Advocated successfully for new law that prevents unpaid rent that accrued during COVID from being the basis for an eviction
  • Operated a dedicated legal hotline for patients in hospitals
  • Launched the NY COVID-19 Legal Resource Hotline for NYC residents

4,800

people helped by NYLAG’s NY COVID-19 Legal Resource Hotline and a dedicated hotline for patients in hospitals and medical facilities (March-Sept 2020)

"They are at the end of their rope, but we’re able to offer hope."

- Sirrah Harris, Supervising Attorney in charge of the NY COVID-19 Legal Resource Hotline

“SHE FELT GREAT PEACE THAT SHE HAD A VIEW OF THE HUDSON RIVER DURING HER FINAL WEEK.”
During the height of the COVID-19 crisis, NYLAG assisted ”Latricia” with a complicated remote financial and medical Power of Attorney (POA) that required hours of work and navigating many channels at the hospital caring for her. Latricia wanted to be transferred out of a hospital in Westchester to a care facility that was in her hometown. However, the hospital would not allow the friend to facilitate the transfer without a POA, because the friend was not a family member. With the POA, Latricia was quickly and smoothly transferred to her hometown to live out her final days surrounded by loved ones and in an environment that brought her peace.
Standing up for a domestic violence survivor wrongfully terminated from her job
NYLAG represented “Lisa,” a supermarket employee who took two sick days to care for herself after her longtime abuser attacked her physically and had her falsely arrested on charges that were later dismissed. The employer told her she probably did something wrong to warrant the abuse and, within days, fired her. NYLAG filed a complaint in federal court alleging wage and hour violations and violations of State and City human rights laws. We also filed a complaint at the Department of Consumer Affairs for violations of the NYC Earned Safe and Sick Time Act. With NYLAG’s help, Lisa obtained a settlement awarding her more than two years of salary at a time when she is unemployed and particularly in need.
Why trauma-informed lawyering is so important
Jamal was terrified to return to his country but hesitated to share the specifics necessary to present an asylum claim. As experts in working with trauma survivors, we knew we needed to be patient and build trust. The details of Jamal’s story unfolded slowly over the course of many meetings and several months. We learned Jamal survived years of horrific abuse in his home country because of his sexual orientation and race, culminating in a violent assault that had left him battling clinical depression. As a result of the work by NYLAG and Jamal’s unwavering strength—Jamal was granted asylum.
Previous slide
Next slide

“Thank you SO much for all your help advising me on our client’s case. I honestly teared up opening the letter and seeing we won asylum for our client – which might be a first for me in private practice.”

2,100

pro bono attorneys & volunteers

74,530

hours donated

$25M

Value of time

Your donation in action

2020, UNAUDITED

Revenue

Category
Dollars
Government
$25,876,796
Foundation
$3,837,929
Hospitals and Corporation
$2,867,069
Individual
$605,726
Court Awarded & Earned Fees
$561,151
Misc
$303,188
Recovery of Funds
Total Revenue Before In-Kind Legal Services
34,051,860
In Kind
$25,791,705
Total Revenue
$59,843,565

Expenses

Total Expenses Before In-Kind Legal Services
In-Kind
Total Expenses
$33,458,293
$25,791,705
$59,249,998

Thank You

Because of your support, last year NYLAG was able to help 89,160 people move closer to economic stability and safety.

Scroll to Top