Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: Philadelphia Legal Assistance

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) has been providing free civil legal services in Philadelphia for 25 years, helping over 6,000 individuals and families who cannot afford an attorney each year. The organization provides services and resources on a myriad of legal issues, from unemployment compensation to family safety and stability to public benefits. They have a General Intake Hotline where people can call to talk to an advocate about legal issues, along with a specific hotline for family law and home ownership issues. In addition, they provide referrals and support to other legal service providers and organizations that coordinate pro bono volunteer lawyers like Philadelphia VIP and Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project. PLA also has established Medical-Legal Community Partnerships (MLCP) in public health centers around Philadelphia to help address the social determinants of health. They also extended the MLCP model to support those recovering from substance use disorders with critical legal help. Through their Pennsylvania Farmworker Project, PLA provides legal services to farmworkers to advocate for workplace safety, health standards, and fair wages.