Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: An Overview
For over 40 years, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) has been a leader in providing free legal services to low-income Texans. Founded in 1970, TRLA began by serving low-income residents of South Texas. The objective was to provide legal assistance for families and non-profit organizations regardless of their location. As a result, TRLA provided more than 5 million dollars worth of legal services to approximately 100,000 people in the first three years of operation. Today, TRLA’s in-house staff of 47 attorneys serve as the first line of defense for low-income Texans.
The mission of TRLA has remained constant throughout its years of operation. TRLA is committed to "providing equal access to justice in Texas by empowering people in poverty to overcome the causes and consequences of poverty." In order to achieve that mission, the organization is constantly seeking new ways to provide services to a growing number of needy Texans.
In 2004, the organization formed the TRLA Farmworker Division in order to serve the needs of low-income families who work in farm-related business. This division was necessary in order to meet increasing demands from residents of rural communities and migrant workers. Most recently, the organization joined the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) for the purpose of sharing information and resources. LSC is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to ensure fair and equal access to justice for all individuals. LSC provides funding to 136 independent nonprofit legal services programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories .
TRLA has continued where other organizations have left off. More importantly, it has expanded its service area to meet the needs of low-income Texans. With 22 offices across the state, TRLA provides a full range of civil legal services to children, families, and the elderly. TRLA often works in coalition with other groups who serve similar populations. For example, they are involved with the Criminal Justice Project, which works with lawmakers to produce an Annual Target Report. This report is used to inform legislators about the unmet needs of low-income Texans. They also work in partnership with the American Bar Association Pro Bono Center in order to help economic recovery in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
TRLA is one of the Texas Legal Services Center’s "Lone Star Legal Aid Network" members. This network coordinates patient advocacy services for individuals who do not qualify for services at free legal clinics. It helps low-income Texans receive equal access to healthcare through legal representation and education. In addition, TRLA is a member of the Lone Star Justice Alliance, a coalition of 6 program grantees which provides free representation for indigent clients facing eviction.
The organization’s Internet presence is one of its greatest assets when it comes to helping self-represented litigants. TRLA provides easy-to-follow access to case information and a free "Law Help" hotline. The hotline assists clients with civil issues including consumer issues, housing, family law, health law, housing law, insurance law, public benefits law, oil and gas law, and elder law and provides basic legal advice.
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Services
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in Edinburg serves South Texas by providing free legal services to low-income individuals and families. One of the primary areas of coverage is family law, which includes child custody, child support, divorce, protective orders, domestic abuse, and guardianship. The Edinburg legal aid offices help with all these family law issues without charge to the public. They also help with employment law issues, handling things such as wrongful termination, unemployment benefits, SSI/SSDI, worksite discrimination, wage issues, and immigration interference with employment. Individuals needing assistance with these types of legal concerns can contact the offices in Edinburg with confidence that they will receive quality legal advice and representation. Residents of Edinburg who are facing issues with their landlord may want assistance with housing law. Foreclosures, access to housing, evictions, discrimination, quality of housing, Housing Choice (Section 8) Program, and utility termination are all considered housing law cases and are handled by the Edinburg legal aid offices. Housing discrimination is a rising problem with many different areas of coverage, including race, national origin, disability, religion, sex, family status, and color. Women experiencing domestic abuse in need of a protective order can deliver an application for assistance with obtaining the one they need by contacting the Edinburg office of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. The attorneys are experienced in applying for and obtaining annulments when necessary. Their primary concern is the safety and well-being of the individuals they serve.
Navigating Legal Aid in Edinburg: How To
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid provides legal assistance and representation in Edinburg on a variety of different types of cases. The process to receive services involves an application beginning with a phone call, email, or visit to a local office. Staff members will ask questions about your case (including financial information) and will request certain documentation. Documents may include proof of income and assets such as employment records, Social Security benefits statements, Medicaid cards and/or certificates for disabled individuals, bank statements, and bills showing unpaid balances.
Legal representation is provided for some civil (non-criminal) cases where TRLA has farmworker, elderly, marital, rights of the mentally ill/family law, immigration, public benefits, consumer, housing, and employment law practice areas. Application for legal assistance does not guarantee representation, since the organization has limited resources available.
Judicial foreclosure defense cases are accepted for representation; however, the agency provides only limited representation, meaning that a full representation retainer may not be signed and can be limited to specific services or relief.
Those making an application to receive legal assistance should be treated respectfully, and staff from the TRLA office will not be judgmental about your legal situation or how you ended up in your situation.
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Success: Edinburg Edition
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid has had numerous successes in the Edinburg area, representing clients from a wide range of backgrounds and needs. In one notable case, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid obtained a favorable settlement for a family of five who were facing eviction due to alleged non-payment of rent. Through legal representation, the family was able to negotiate a repayment plan with their landlord and avoid being forced out of their home.
Another success story is that of a single mother who was struggling to gain custody of her children from a previous relationship. RNA attorney, Yessenia Torres, was able to help the mother navigate the complicated court system and ultimately obtain a favorable custody order that allowed her to keep her family together. The case exemplifies the charity’s commitment to helping low-income families secure legal remedies that allow them to remain with their loved ones.
In addition to successful individual cases, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid’s work in Edinburg has had a broader impact on the community overall . The organization has helped push for policy changes that benefit the disabled, the elderly, and those facing housing insecurity. Their community outreach and education programs have also provided valuable legal information to local residents who might not otherwise have access to such resources.
Client testimonials highlight the charity’s positive impact: "The assistance I received from Texas RioGrande in Edinburg was life-changing. I was able to keep my job and support my children thanks to the legal guidance I received," said a former client who wishes to remain anonymous.
Another client added, "I had no idea where to turn when I was facing this legal issue. The staff at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid were not only helpful, but they really cared about my situation and worked hard to ensure a positive outcome."
These stories demonstrate the tremendous effect that Texas RioGrande Legal Aid has had both on individual clients and the Edinburg community as a whole, providing critical access to justice for some of the most vulnerable members of society.
TRLA in Edinburg: Partners and Collaborators
Through the auspices of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, programs and projects are made possible through community collaboration and participation. The Edinburg office has been instrumental in providing educational resources for future attorneys. They continue to be involved with the University of Texas-Pan American’s Pre-law Resource Center in Edinburg. Colloquiums are now held at the Center. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid provides clerks helping to prepare for the annual Pre-law Day Bus Tour to Austin, Texas, gives lectures and training on legal topics concerning clients, offers information on scholarships, grants, and internships, and volunteers judges and attorneys for mock trial competitions.
The newest collaboration is the Building Civil Courage Outreach Project. The group visits the county jail in Edinburg and says the people they meet there are "our friends, family members, neighbors, church members, schoolmates, co-workers, and customers." The project mission is to be present in exactly those situations.
Some of the program’s activities include regularly participating in community outreach activities, visiting jails, correctional facilities, and including street ministry where circumstances permit. The program reports that "Incarceration is often a symptom of poverty; our goal is to prevent the pathways that lead to incarceration."
There are many other community collaborations, too numerous too mention, which can be found on the Legal Aid website.
Giving Back: How You Can Support Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
TexasRioGrande Legal Aid is dependent on generous support from the community. There are a number of ways to lend your support, including making a donation, volunteering, and hosting an event. In addition, you can advocate for policies that benefit all Texans to public officials.
TexasRioGrande Legal Aid provides access to legal help through a variety of free programs. You may donate online or send us your gift by mail. Your financial donation will be used to help free low-income Texans trapped in the cycle of poverty. Your gift helps TexasRioGrande Legal Aid provide legal information , advice and representation to those who cannot afford a private attorney to handle their civil legal problems.
Most lawyers and law firms in Texas are eligible to make a donation that earns full credit toward their pro bono requirement. Pro Bono Services always recommends you consult State Bar of Texas staff to confirm your contribution or annual goal will be met, prior to making a donation.
Law offices that make a minimum donation of $250 will be publically recognized by the State Bar of Texas in an ad for their generosity. The gift will count toward the firm’s pro bono goals for the year. Fulfilling your pro bono requirement through a charitable donation helps us expand the reach of our community legal education programs to low- and moderate-income Texans.