Beyond Legal Aid

Community Activism Law Alliance (CALA) unites lawyers and activists to bring crucial aid to the most vulnerable communities in Chicagoland. By using the model of "community activism lawyering," the organization simultaneously addresses the justice gap, operates more economically, and creates greater impact than what lawyers alone could achieve. CALA operates six community -located, -operated, and -directed offices with activist organizations providing a full-range of free legal services. The majority of CALA's clients are undocumented immigrants, laborers, sex workers, and grassroots activists. It has six programs focused on organizing campaigns, and five special initiatives that support those whose rights are targeted by the current administration. The Holiday Award enables CALA to increase capacity by hiring another attorney to focus on emerging needs for partner communities in addition to leveraging additional staff to increase community legal education, legal rights training, and support of community activism.