lramirez, Author at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

Pandemic heightens education discrimination: Tilly’s story

The summer of 2020, when Tilly was almost eight, her parents were told she could not return to school in the fall. Tilly’s Legal Aid lawyer described it as an attempt to create a new policy for students with disabilities. That didn’t fly with Tilly’s parents and it didn’t fly with Legal Aid’s Disability Law Center, either.

Legal Aid teams up with Promise Neighborhood to provide legal help

Learn how Legal Aid is making a difference in partnership with Promise Neighborhood, a community organization in central Minnesota that connects families with educational and economic opportunities.

Legal Aid wins $750,000 in case against landlord

Legal Aid and the U.S. Department of Justice together pursued the case against a landlord, arguing he sexually harassed tenants.

“Into Adulthood” improves disability access for young adults

At 16, Will was housed in a treatment center with adults who were mentally ill and aggressive. At the same time, he had his own challenges stemming from lifelong trauma. Disability Law Center Advocate, Cindy Jarvi said “For years, Will had virtually zero educational services.” But with her and the law on his side, things were set to change.

Career end restarted with Project Care

Our client needed eye surgery to keep his job. But his job didn’t provide health insurance to get that surgery, so he lost it. Then, he turned to Legal Aid.

Making school lunch shaming a thing of the past

In 2011, Legal Aid Attorney Jessica Webster enlisted the help of pro bono attorneys to investigate and document lunch-shaming across the state. Policies ranged from helpful (providing unlimited hot meals) to punitive (blocking students from graduation ceremonies.) Armed with the facts, she asked Minnesota’s Attorney General for help and got it.

100-year-old resident fights improper eviction

They told Vera she might have to move. Her daughter said when they met administrators of the assisted living facility, it was clear they already made the decision. “We were ambushed. Two women stood over my mother, who is a tiny lady, and put her through the wringer.” Then came the eviction letter. Then came Legal Aid.