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Nationwide Search Underway for Next Leader of Legal Aid

Oct 20, 2023

As Danielle Shelton-Walczak steps down from her role at the helm of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, the organization is putting out a call for candidates, far and wide, to apply to be the next Executive Director.
News Release
Job posting

Not news: Legal Aid is Free!

Oct 19, 2023

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid has become aware that vulnerable people, seeking legal help, are paying a third party claiming to be “legal aid.” They are then directed to a dead end for help. Of course, Legal Aid is free. We do not advertise on craigslist. Feel free to copy/paste the messages below to your communications. Thank you for spreading the word!

English:
If you’re paying for #LegalAid, that’s not Legal Aid. Please spread the word. We do not advertise on Craig’s list. Applying for legal aid is free. Screening is free. Getting legal aid or resources is free. Connect with us by calling: 1.877.696.6529 or visiting: LawHelpMN.org.

Espanol:
Si usted está pagando por #AyudaLegal (#LegalAid), eso no es Ayuda Legal (Legal Aid). Por favor, corra la voz. No nos anunciamos en Craig's List. La solicitud de ayuda legal es gratuita. La evaluación es gratuita. Puede obtener ayuda legal o recursos de forma gratuita. Póngase en contacto con nosotros llamando al 1.877.696.6529 o visitando: LawHelpMN.org.

Somali:
"Haddii aad ku bixiso kharash Gargaar Sharciga ah (#LegalAid), taasi ma aha Gargaarka Dhanka Sharciga ah (Legal Aid) ee aan anigu bixino. Fadlan taa cid walba gaarsiiya. Xayeysiin anagu ma soo gelino barta Craig's list. Codsashada gargaarka dhanka sharciga ahi (legal aid) waa bilaash. Xuliddu waa bilaash. Helida gargaar dhanka sharciga ah ama khayraadyo waa bilaash. Nagu soo xiran anaga adigoo soo wacaya: 1.877.696.6529 ama booqanaya barta: LawHelpMN.org.”

Oromo:
#LegalAid dhaaf kaffalaa jirtu yoo ta'e, kun Gargaarsa Seeraa(Legal Aid) miti. Maaloo ergaa kana faffacaasaa. Nuti beeksisa Craig's List irratti hinbaafnu. Gargaarsa Seeraaf iyyachuun tola. Kan fudhatamu filuun (screening) tola. Gargaarsa Seeraa ykn Leeccollee argachuun tola. 1.877.696.6529 Bilbiluudhaan nuqunnamaa ykn daawwadhaa: LawHelpMN.org.”

Hmong:
Yog koj them nyiaj rau #Kev pab kevcai lijchoj (LegalAid), nws tsis yog Legal Aid (Legal Aid). Thov qhia rau sawvdaws paub. Peb tsis qhauj tawm rau hauv Craig's List. Tuaj thov kev pab kevcai lijchoj yog dawb. Kuaj yog dawb xwb. Tau kev pab kevcai lijchoj lossis cov kev pab yog dawb. Hu tau rau peb ntawm 1.877.696.6529 lossis mus xyuas: LawHelpMN.org.

Vietnamese:
Nếu quý vị đang phải trả lệ phí cho cơ quan Trợ Giúp Pháp Lý( #LegalAid) nào thì đó không phải là Trợ Giúp Pháp lý (Legal Aid). Xin vui lòng chuyển lời chúng tôi đến mọi người. Chúng tôi không hề quảng cáo trên trang Craig's List. Việc nộp đơn xin trợ giúp pháp lý hoàn toàn miễn phí. Việc sàng lọc thì miễn phí. Việc tiếp nhận trợ giúp pháp lý hoặc các tài nguyên là miễn phí. Hãy kết nối với chúng tôi bằng cách gọi: 1.877.696.6529 hoặc truy cập: LawHelpMN.org.

Become a U.S. Citizen with the Help of Legal Aid

Oct 17, 2023

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid will host a Naturalization Screening Clinic, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Volunteers and attorneys will explain steps leading to citizenship. Brooklyn Park Library 8500 W. Broadway Ave. To RSVP or to ask questions, email: Probono@mylegalaid.org.

Flyers in English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Oromo
Flyer in Amharic

Greiling to headline Legal Aid Luncheon

Oct 4, 2023

Former Statehouse Representative Mindy Greiling will share the story of her family's struggle with mental illness as keynote speaker of the 12th Annual Access to Justice Luncheon set for Oct. 12.
News Release

Ruling in Class Action Lawsuit favors Special Education Students

Sep 1, 2023

Legal Aid is seeking to get the word out to certain special education students that they are now entitled to resume instruction they lost out on when the state prematurely ended their educational services.
News Release

Legal Aid's Strategic Racial Equity Plan

Jul 31, 2023

In 2023, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid completed its Strategic Racial Equity Action Plan. (SREAP) As part of our work, we worked with a consultant, staff, board members, and community partners to assess our strengths and gaps. Read The Report

Settlement Favoring Legal Aid Clients Approved; MMLA Awarded $1.138 Million

Jun 28, 2023

A federal class-action lawsuit which began seven years ago has come to a close with a settlement that affirms choice for individuals with disabilities living in group homes. It also gives Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid the largest cash award in the organization's history.
News Release

8th Circuit Decides in Favor of Legal Aid; Metro Transit Must Make Changes

Jun 20, 2023

A year ago, Legal Aid Client Barry Segal won big in the Court of Appeals--a portion of a six-figure settlement and changes to the way Metro Transit conducts business. Segal, who identifies as Deafblind, wants others with similar disabilities to know about his case and their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. At a community meeting hosted by ThinkSelfMN, June 28, Legal Aid Attorneys Sonja Peterson and Rick Macpherson will be on hand to present and answer questions.
News Release
Settlement Agreement
8th Circuit Opinion
Metro Transit Training Video
Metro Transit Training Video - Text Versio

Meeting Resources:
Met Council Accessibility Advisory Committee
• Contact the Met Council Advisory Committee with your concerns about the training video.
Metro Transit Complaint Form | 612.373.3333
• File a complaint with Metro Transit if you are waiting at the T sign and a bus passes you by and fails to let you board.
Metro Transit Data Practices Request
• Complete this form to get video of the bus passing you. You may also call 612.373.3333 to make the request.
MN Disability Law Center | 612.334.5970
• Call MDLC if a bus fails to let you board 10 times in one year.
• Call MDLC if you experience egregious discrimination from a driver because of your disability, even if it is not 10 times. For example, if a driver says you can't ride because you are disabled or makes other disparaging remarks about your disability.

July 5, 2023: Thank you to ThinkSelf Minnesota for inviting Legal Aid's Minnesota Disability Law Center to present at this meeting. Links above are to resources shared in the presentation by Attorneys Rick Macpherson (ret.) and Sonja Peterson:

MN Disability Law Center Premieres Film Series "In Our Own Words"

Jun 14, 2023

On a screen near you, listen to the voice of people with disabilities who answer the question, some have never been asked before, "How do you want to be treated?" Their answers, available in a two-part film series produced by Mid-MN Legal Aid's Disability Law Center, may surprise you! Intended for health care providers everywhere, you too can become educated and share our film to advocate for improved care!
News Release
PLAYING NOW: "In Our Own words"

Becker Awards Go to Two at Mid-MN Legal Aid

Jun 9, 2023

Four Becker Awards are conferred annually by the Minnesota State Bar Association. This year, two of the honors will recognize staff of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. Attorney Taryn Trujillo Risom is the honoree of the Emerging Leadership Award and Legal Advocate Cindy Jarvi is being remembered with the Legacy of Excellence Award.
News Release

Legal Aid Aims to Protect Older Minnesotans via Facebook Live

May 25, 2023

The Senior Law Project of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid will launch a series of five presentations in the areas of health, wellness and consumer protection. The first episode will drop June 22, noon-1 p.m. on Facebook @legalaid, with four to follow: July 20, Sept. 7, Oct. 12 and Nov. 9. Each episode will be available to view any time after the scheduled drop date.
News Release
Flyer PDF | png
Powers of Attorney

Apply to join our Mental Health Advisory Council

May 22, 2023

Have a passion for mental health issues? Our Minnesota Disability Law Center has the perfect opportunity for you to make a difference!
News Release
Apply

Lawmakers Urged to Ban Seclusion; Media Invited to Meet Families

Apr 28, 2023

MMLA's Legal Services Advocacy Project, The Arc Minnesota and the Multicultural Autism Action Network invite media to meet families affected by seclusion practices in Minnesota schools, Monday, May 1.
Media Advisory
Media Advisory-Supplement

Go Undercover with Legal Aid!

Apr 10, 2023

April is Fair Housing month and the perfect time to answer Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid's call for reinforcements. Join our Investigative Housing unit as a volunteer tester!
News Release
What is a Housing Tester?
Share Flyer

MDLC Honored with National 2023 Advocacy Award

Feb 28, 2023

Citing “extraordinary leadership” and an “aggressive pursuit of justice,” the National Disability Rights Network presented its 2023 Advocacy Award to Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s Minnesota Disability Law Center.
News Release