Legal Advocate - Urban Justice Center

Legal Advocate

Urban Justice Center
New York, New York

The Urban Justice Center (UJC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy on behalf of New York City�s most vulnerable residents. The mission of UJC�s Homelessness Outreach & Prevention Project (HOPP) is to advocate for economic justice for no and low income New Yorkers. We conduct direct legal services, litigation, research and policy advocacy to preserve and expand access to public benefits programs and ensure government accountability. Direct services are based in legal clinics at soup kitchens and food pantries in the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, where we provide legal advice, referrals, advocacy, and representation for New Yorkers living in poverty.

We seek a legal advocate to represent individuals experiencing legal problems in accessing public benefits such as cash assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, and eviction prevention grants. Responsibilities include interviewing individual clients to determine their needs; helping clients understand the government public benefits system; writing extensive referrals; staffing our legal clinics, which are housed at food pantries and soup kitchens throughout New York City; representing clients at fair hearings; engaging in advocacy with Cash Assistance and Non-Cash Assistance Centers; and conducting all work necessary to ensure on-going receipt of public benefits for the advocate�s clients. Additionally, once the advocate is trained, s/he will help train advocates in the community and internally.

Successful candidates must have strong organizational and administrative skills, the ability to quickly learn about a complex system, endless patience, an aptitude for tenacious negotiation, and the ability to respond sensitively to the urgent needs of clients. A college degree is required and strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. Recent college graduates, as well as those with experience will be considered. Fluency in Spanish is highly desired.

People of color, LGBT individuals, individuals who have personal experience with poverty, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Salary is from the low- to mid-$30k's, commensurate with experience, and generous vacation and full medical and dental benefits are provided.

To Apply: Please do not contact us by telephone or fax. We will contact those applicants who we wish to interview. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please submit a cover letter detailing public interest experience/interest, a resume, a brief writing sample, and a list of references via email by January 5, 2009 to:

Urban Justice Center
E-mail: hopp@urbanjustice.org

RebLaw Registration Open!

PLEASE FORWARD widely

and POST PUBLICLY in your school, institution, or community

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 15th Annual Rebellious Lawyering Conference, February 20-22, 2009

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Van Jones

Founding President of Green For All and Co-Founder of the Ella Baker Center For Human Rights

and

Stephen Bright

President and Senior Counsel, Southern Center for Human Rights

Hello Rebel!

You are invited to the 15^th Annual Rebellious Lawyering Conference, which will take place on the weekend of February 20-22, 2009. Last year, we brought hundreds of practitioners, law students, and community activists to New Haven to discuss progressive strategies for social change within and without the law, and we’re excited to do it again! In addition to the two keynote speakers, RebLaw will feature numerous panels and workshops, along with opportunities to socialize and network with rebellious folks from all around. We have posted descriptions of the panels on our website and will continue to update with panel speakers and schedule information as it becomes available. For registration and other information, please visit our website: www.law.yale.edu/reblaw

You can also sign up on the website to receive FREE HOUSING for the weekend in New Haven on the spare beds, couches and floors of local friendly, rebellious law students.

If you are interested in helping to further publicize this conference among a community of practitioners, law students, community activists or other interested people that you know, PLEASE DO! And also get in touch with rebellious.law.publicity@gmail.com

Financial note: If you are affiliated with a law school or other institution, it may provide funding for the registration and travel costs to conferences - inquire with your administration.

B*tch magazine job posting

B*tch Magazine seeks highly skilled editor

Please spread as far and wide as you possibly can... (I'm putting asterisks in place of the "i" in hopes that it'll make it through any spam filters.)

B-Word/B*tch is a 12-year-old feminist nonprofit media organization that interrogates commercial culture via a magazine, a website, and assorted other media and outreach vehicles. Our founding editorial and creative director is transitioning to a broader organizational role, and so B-Word/B*tch is looking to hire a highly skilled full-time editor to join our tiny but hardworking staff. Someone with exceptional editing skills and a talent and love for analyzing media/pop culture from a perspective rooted in social/economic justice, someone who's passionate about both print publishing and newer forms of media like online, audio, and video…

The editor's primary responsibilities will be acquiring and editing content for the magazine, but will also play a key role in generating content for our website, as well as fundraising, outreach, and organizational development. In other words, we're looking for a brilliant editor who understands the unique challenges facing nonprofit publishing organizations, and is committed to wearing multiple hats to keep the wheels turning (if you'll excuse our mixed metaphor).

Primary responsibilities:
- Oversee and acquire content for the magazine
- Edit articles and help shape the editorial tone and scope of the magazine
- Oversee the production calendar and process for the magazine
- Maintain and cultivate relationships with writers
- Assist in developing and expanding our new media efforts
- Acquire and write content for the website
- Design and implement editorial strategies that are consistent with B-Word's mission-driven, nonprofit nature
- Do outreach to support the organization's marketing activities
- Hire and manage magazine interns

Minimum qualifications/requirements:
- At least three years features/developmental editing experience
- Strong understanding and awareness of feminism(s)
- Strong understanding of (and passion for!) new media
- Strong familiarity with past and present trends in media and pop culture
- Excellent grasp of grammar and spelling
- Stellar proofreading and copyediting abilities; familiarity with Chicago style
- Proficiency with Excel, Word, and InDesign
- Demonstrated experience with web writing/editing
- Experience with video and podcasting technology a major plus

Personality traits/skill sets that are essential in a small organization like ours:
- Clear and frequent communication
- Ability to collaborate and share decision-making in small groups
- Ability to think creatively when resources are tight
- Highly developed organizational, multi-tasking, prioritizing, and delegating skills
- Strong initiative, drive, and self-direction; ability to work independently
- A sense of humor a major plus!

B-Word/B*tch is based in Portland, Oregon, and we strongly believe that you need to be in Portland to do this job well. If you believe you can do it from somewhere other than Portland, we are open to hearing your strategies for effective communication and remote collaboration.

**B-Word/B*tch is committed to systemic social change, and aims to prioritize the voices and visions of people most affected by the injustices and oppression we work against. Women of color, trans people, people from poor and working class backgrounds, queer-identified folks, and others committed to anti-oppression, collective, grassroots media work are encouraged to apply.**

In the interest of transparency, you should know:
- Regrettably, the only way to our office is up a set of about 15 stairs. We are not wheelchair-accessible.
- We're unable to cover any moving expenses.

Please send a cover letter detailing salary requirements, your *editing experience*, any *experience working with nonprofits*, and your *particular interests related to feminism and pop culture*. Also please include one writing sample.

Closing date for applications: December 30, 2008
Anticipated start date: January 19, 2009

Please email a detailed cover letter (*answering all the questions please!*), a resume, and three references to publishing@b-word.org. Please write "editor position" in the subject line. Or mail to: B-Word, Debbie Rasmussen, 4930 NE 29th Ave, Portland, OR 97211.
No phone calls, faxes, or drop-ins. No, no!

Stand with Chuck Solidarity Rally 12/9/08

Stand With Chuck - Solidarity Rally 12/9/08
December 2nd, 2008

Stand With Chuck Solidarity Rally 12-9-08 *click to download flyer*

Calling All Chuck Turner Supporters!

Stand With Chuck Community Rally!
Tues, 12/9 @ 6-8pm
Roxbury Community College
Cafeteria, RCC Student Center
(Orange Line T – Rox Crossing)

Stand With Chuck Solidarity Rally 12-9-08

Chuck Turner has been there for the people of Roxbury, as well as the city, the state and the nation for four and a half decades. He has fought for ever issue important to the community, and resisted every form of discrimination against his constituents. He has been a leader in fighting for community jobs for residents, and for CORI reform. He is the only politician who maintains an office right in the heart of the community, paid for out of his own salary. He has fought year in and year out for quality education for our youth, and has beat back the repeated efforts of those who would take away choice and educational access from the community. He has stood up to block evictions and foreclosures, and taken uncompromising stands against war, racism and abuse. We have always been able to count on him to be there for us.

Now its time for us to be there for Chuck! The attack on Chuck is an attack on the entire Roxbury community and all of the working people of Boston who have benefited from his fight for justice and opportunity. We will not be denied the people’s voice! Come out to show your support for the fighting leader of our community. Please join us on Chuck Solidarity Day on Dec 9th at RCC!

December ralleys, NYC, workers rights and protect rent stabilization!

-Sunday, December 7th - Children's Vigil
Join JFREJ, children of domestic workers, and children taken care of by domestic workers on the steps of City Hall to show how much our families care about the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights. During the holidays, and during this time of financial crisis, let's show legislators that our whole families care about the caretakers in our lives. Let's show them that we need a bill that protects the women whose work makes all other work possible.

To RSVP, click here.

Children's Vigil
Sunday, December 7th, 11:30am-1pm
Steps of City Hall, Manhattan
Take the R,W,4,5,6 to City Hall

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Tuesday December 9th - City-Wide Rally to protect rent-stabilized housing
Join JFREJ and the Housing Here and Now Coalition to speak up for low-income housing during this time of financial crisis. When the rent in a vacant apartment can be raised to $2,000 a month, landlords can raise the rent to anything they want. This is known as "vacancy decontrol." The state legislature can end this, saving 100,000 regulated apartments already on the verge. Hold politicians accountable: end vacancy decontrol.

To RSVP click here

City Wide Rally to Protect Rent-Stabilized Housing
Society for Ethical Culture, 2 w. 64th st at Central Park West
Take the 1 train to 66th or the A,B,C,D to Columbus Circle

editorial about chuck turner

Boston Progressives Should Not Jump to Conclusions About Chuck
November 24th, 2008 | Category: press

November 21, 2008
Open Media Boston, Editorial

If there’s one politician that Boston community and labor activists can count on to “afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted” it’s Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner (G/R - District 7). One of the vanishingly few African-American politicians in this “majority minority” city, he has energetically represented the interests of his largely low-income constituency of color. But he is has also been a rare progressive voice in a sea of conservative politicians - most of whom are Democrats, but that’s Massachusetts for you - and a bridge-builder to other communities and constituencies around the region. Not coincidentally, he is the only Green-Rainbow Party elected official in Boston. Yet today the city awoke to the startling news that Turner was arrested by the FBI at 7 a.m. this morning at City Hall, and charged with accepting $1000 in bribes from the same government informant who gave over $23,000 in bribes to former state Senator Dianne Wilkerson in exchange for assistance getting a liquor license for the Dejavu nightclub on Melnea Cass Blvd. in Roxbury.

However, progressives in general and the African-American community in particular have little reason to trust the motives of the FBI in this instance - given decades of official government harassment of both groups - and so progressive political lists have been abuzz all day about the whys and wherefores of this case.

Much of the progressive criticism of Turner’s arrest is now focusing on the weakness of the case against Turner presented in the FBI’s affidavit (available on the Boston Globe website in PDF format).

Having reviewed the affidavit and surveyed the local press on the case thus far, Open Media Boston has concluded that the FBI does indeed appear to be presenting a weak case against Turner - resting as it does on the testimony of a single “Cooperating Witness” - who the Boston Globe tentatively identified as Ron Wilburn, a local entrepreneur who had managed a local nightclub in the past and apparently represented the Dejavu nightclub throughout the FBI investigation. Wilburn’s motives still remain opaque at this point, and it is difficult to gauge what would cause him to work so closely with the feds.

The FBI case also relies heavily on their own interpretations of Turner’s clandestinely video and audio-taped actions - actions which can certainly be read as legal behavior, and for which there is precedent in the previous actions of other more powerful politicians in Boston. And those politicians were not dragged out to the U.S. District Court in Worcester by U.S. Marshals on the rare occasions when such potential financial infractions came to light. Far from it.

So while, as a news publication, Open Media Boston is bound by social contract to follow the facts wherever they may lead, as progressives, we believe it is critical that we withhold judgment against Turner in this case - as we would in any other case - and assume that the man is innocent until proven guilty. Not just in an often-flawed legal system, but also to the satisfaction of the communities that Turner represents.

We strongly suggest that other progressives do the same. We further recommend that everyone follow the case very closely. Keep on top of it. Stay informed and up-to-date. We’ll do our best to get you the news on this situation from the ground-up, not the top-down. As always.

Above all, we should all be watching the watchers. It can be a good thing that the FBI has a Public Corruption Squad in their Boston office, but they certainly missed their own agent John Connolly sending people to their deaths at the hands of mobster Whitey Bulger, and we’re still waiting for the squad to bring down some much bigger fish than they’re seemingly trying to scare up in this sting.

Given the hundreds of thousands of public dollars that have doubtless been spent on this investigation, one really has to question their priorities - as we strongly suspect that huge corporations are buying off major politicians every day in Boston as around the world, but no one gets so much as a slap on the wrist for such world-class malfeasance. It makes us think, and we hope it makes you think too.

Whether you agree or disagree with us, we’d like to hear from you. All registered users are free to comment on this editorial - as they are on every piece of content on this site - and we’d be thrilled if we got up a good debate on this one.

www.openmediaboston.org