Giving Options

Giving Options

We fight for the future of the most vulnerable every day, one case, one family at a time. Families like Ben’s.

“…There were hundreds of students in the same situation… As a parent and a teacher, I knew I had to speak up, but I felt I needed help; no one would listen to me about my child. And if they didn’t listen to me about my own, why would they listen to me when trying to help others? I was fortunate to have found CLS. The results have helped Ben to come out of his shell; and achieved 2-grade levels in one year. Ben’s self-esteem and future are brighter, and for the many other children in the same situation…”

Since 1966, Community Legal Services (CLS) has assisted Central Florida helping those with nowhere else to turn – those with legal issues who could not afford an attorney. Our mission:

 “To provide no-cost legal services to the most vulnerable in Central Florida and to help them protect their families, health, and livelihood.”

Legal Access for All is our motto.  We believe money should not be a barrier to justice, and no one should be without representation when they need it most. Studies show that 20% of families cannot afford an attorney, yet they are also outside the funder restrictions that would allow us to help them.  Legal Access for All strives to bridge the Justice Gap.

Our goal is to ensure that all families have access to legal help; early when we can do more.   With your support, Legal Access for All becomes more than a motto, it becomes a reality.  Community Legal Services is committed to strengthening our neighborhoods, by making each household more stable and secure by bridging the justice gap and changing more lives every day.

Our impact is significant. In 2021…

    • CLS provided more than 65,000 hours of no-cost legal assistance to the most vulnerable.

    • CLS delivered more than $17 million dollars of legal services.

    • Our housing team won a national precedent-setting case for families racially targeted by a predatory loan modification service. Our team dedicated 8 years to this case, winning a favorable ruling for our clients.

    • Our children’s team secured the proper educational forum for hundreds of special needs students setting their future for independence on the right path.

    • Local pro bono attorneys worked with CLS to dedicate nearly 1,500 hours of free legal assistance to our clients and in support of our mission.

The success in our work is due to skilled and passionate lawyers, yet they can’t do their work without your generous support. Everyone deserves representation. With your tax-deductible gift, you can help make Legal Access for All a reality.