• CDEL Community Clinics are back!
• CDEL receives a Platinum SAGE Care Certification 
• Client avoids an eviction and gets rental assistance

• CDEL is hiring a staff attorney and a program coordinator

• Thank you for another successful Winter Awards Benefit!

CDEL is excited to announce the return of our in-person clinics! Having these clinics all across Chicago and Cook County allows seniors to have convenient access to CDEL's services and receive assistance in an efficient and timely manner.

CDEL is currently staffing four clinics in suburban Cook County and four clinics in Chicago. In addition, CDEL also hosts a monthly Proud to Thrive clinic at the Center on Addison, and monthly clinics for veterans at Jesse Brown and Hines VA hospitals. 

Image Description: CDEL Staff Attorney Tiffany Clements sitting at a table with a client and CDEL Volunteers.

Image Description: SAGE Care Platinum LGBT Cultural Competency Training Logo

At the beginning of 2022, CDEL became Platinum Certified by SAGE, Service and Advocacy for LGBT Elders. SAGE certifies organizations that have committed to training their staff to be culturally responsive to the needs of LGBT+ elders. CDEL has achieved the highest certification and is proud to report that 100% of employees and executive staff have completed training!  This training ensures that CDEL is meeting the needs of its LGBT+ clients.

Clarence, was a resident in an extended stay hotel for over 11 years. He fell behind on his rent when he had a stroke and was unable to work. An eviction was filed against him for nonpayment of rent and he was referred to the Early Resolution Program (ERP). CDEL Staff Attorney Dana Harbaugh, was able to help Clarence get connected to rental assistance.

Despite this, hotel management and opposing attorney still attempted to send an agreed eviction order and threatened to call the police on Clarence if he did not sign the order. Thankfully, we became aware of the situation and were able to inform him of his rights as a tenant and assuage his fears that he'd be thrown on the street. 

Dana then took the time to go over all of Clarence's options, including his right to have rental assistance pay his entire arrearage so he could remain in the unit. Ultimately, he decided to vacate, but he did so as an informed tenant and not out of fear or intimidation. With the help of ERP, Clarence was connected to rental assistance and legal aid which helped him know his rights, come to a fair agreement, and avoid having an eviction order entered against him.

Image Description: Stock photo of a man smiling.

Thank you again to everyone who attended CDEL's 2022 Winter Awards Benefit this year. If you missed any part of our program, please go to our website to watch the program in full:

https://www.cdelaw.org/winter-awards-benefit-2022