The law is important. It often marks the difference between the disenfranchised within our society and those who feel a secure sense of belonging. We at the Alliance of Bukharian Americans are therefore very thankful to State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. and the New York Legal Assistance Group for sponsoring a legal event for our community members on Monday, April 9. The event was held between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and by the time the mobile legal help center arrived, there was already a small crowd of people waiting for their appointments.
The mobile legal help center brought four lawyers into the heart of our community, right across the street from our central community center Beth Gavriel. Each lawyer was willing and ready to help solve the legal issues facing many of our community members. Some cases may have been simple and straightforward, others more complex and involving many parties. Some people came individually, while others came with parents or spouses. The Forest Hills community surely benefited from this event, especially the Queens Bukharian community. In at least one case, the legal team outsourced a Russian interpreter to accommodate a Russian-speaking citizen. In another case, it was a Hebrew-speaking aide that helped. The mobile legal team also worked around the timesheet to accept walk-ins as well.
Community members were helped on a range of issues including family law, immigration law, social security benefits, and landlord-tenant disputes. Many people left the mobile center with a sense of relief, expecting a follow-up call within two weeks. In many cases, even those who walked in with unrelated issues were sent on their way better informed about where to seek appropriate help. Best of all, our community members were able to rest assured that a potential difficulty such as finances would not stand in the way of receiving quality legal assistance. As a gesture of appreciation, Beth Gavriel Community Center provided lunch for the lawyers who offered their services free of charge. Thank you, Senator Joseph Addabbo and New York Legal Assistance Group. Your involvement in our community does not go unnoticed.
By Adam Suinov
Senator Joseph Addabbo Coordinates With The ABA To Provide Free Legal Service In Our Community
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