Students from The John Marshall Law School’s Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic met with homeless veterans at their temporary residence in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood.
The Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic (VLSC) recently teamed with Featherfist, a not-for-profit organization seeking to end homelessness, to conduct a legal clinic in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood.
The VLSC met with more than 50 Chicago veterans April 7, 2011, at F.O.R.T. II, a 32-bed transitional facility for homeless veterans. Clinic students discussed veteran disability benefits, accessing education benefits, military discharge upgrades, criminal-record expungement and family law issues.
The VLSC began its veteran outreach program in March 2011. The program focuses on educating residents in Chicago’s homeless veteran’s shelters on the Veterans Disability Benefits process, and coordinates veteran law-specific legal clinics.
Featherfist F.O.R.T. II residents attend classes and job training and are offered help in applying for documentation and entitlements, searching for housing and improving daily life skills. VLSC clerks in attendance toured the facility and gave one-on-one sessions with veterans.
“We were provided an opportunity to look into [veterans’] lives and see what an impact Featherfist has on these veterans that were accepted into their residency,” said Lola Ajifowobaje, a 2L VLSC clerk. Ajifowobaje said the clinic’s main focus is on veteran’s benefits.
After the initial intake, the John Marshall students began working on legal issues within the clinic’s scope, and referred other items to appropriate legal aid organizations.
“[The veterans] were relieved to know that we actually cared about their issues regardless of whether or not we would be able to assist them directly or refer them to another organization,” Ajifowobaje said. “The experience at Featherfist was very fulfilling and I am grateful for the opportunity to provide assistance to these veterans.”
Abraham EL-House, facility director at F.O.R.T. II, said the clinic’s visit and efforts to help the facility’s homeless rated “second, only to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen’s visit,” several months ago.
“This was a very, very big day for us,” EL-House said.
