CDEL's October Newsletter

• CDEL Client Gets $10,000 of Debt Dismissed

• CDEL Holds Strategic Planning Summit

• CDEL Celebrates Pro Bono Month and its Dedicated Volunteers

• Welcome CDEL's Newest AmeriCorps VISTA Taylor Cazy!

• Other CDEL News: CDEL is hiring for two positions, opening a new help desk, and is now recruiting for the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon!

• Thank You to Our Community Partners!

Client Gets $10,000 of Debt Dismissed

John came to CDEL through the Early Resolution Program. He had found himself in financial trouble after a divorce and was renting an apartment and living off of government benefits for the first time. Due to his limited income and lack of assets, he was overwhelmed by his debts and could foresee no way to pay them.

While looking through John's case, CDEL Staff Attorney Dana Harbaugh noticed that he was collection-proof (his source of income was protected from collection and he had no assets that a creditor could take.) CDEL worked with the creditor to get John's case dismissed ultimately freeing him from almost $10,000 in debt.

John had this to say about CDEL: "I just want to thank Dana along with the staff at CDEL for coming to my aid not just in a financial sphere but also a psychological and even a physical perspective. Unfortunately, this financial situation has affected my health, Ms. Harbaugh brought me a semblance of hope as I move forward."

CDEL Holds Strategic Planning Summit 

Last week, over 40 CDEL stakeholders came together for a strategic planning summit. This dedicated group of volunteers, Governing and Young Professionals Board members, staff, clients, and community partners came together to collaborate and explore the possibilities for CDEL's future. We extend a special thanks to Board Member Andy Lillis and Katten Muchin Rosenman for hosting us!

CDEL Celebrates Pro Bono Month!

CDEL has been busy celebrating Pro Bono Month and Pro Bono Week! Please join us in thanking CDEL's many talented pro bono volunteers. Without them, none of the work we do is possible. 

In addition to participating in events across the legal aid community, CDEL is proud to have Legal Director Michael Stone serve as co-chair of the Chicago Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Week. Michael had this to say: "I am overjoyed that CDEL can actively participate in Pro Bono Week. Our volunteers are key to the work we do, having contributed more than $1 million in free services last year. I hope all attorneys can volunteer this week and throughout the year in the many opportunities and ways to contribute."

To further celebrate Pro Bono Week, CDEL's Executive Director Caroline Manley has an article featured in the September & October 2022 Issue of the CBA Record titled "Create Connection by Returning to Community Volunteerism". Caroline was inspired by the words of CDEL Board Member Ryan Whitacre: “It’s not what you can do, it’s what you are willing to do.” Please go to CDEL's website to learn more about how you can volunteer with CDEL.

CDEL Welcomes New AmeriCorps VISTA Taylor Cazy!

Taylor Cazy serves as CDEL’s Project Administrator VISTA and assists in scheduling Virtual Help Desk appointments. In addition, she assists in administrative tasks involving updating client files, updating/reviewing documentation for CDEL workshops, and assisting CDEL staff in day-to-day tasks.  

Taylor had this to say about joining CDEL: "I am very excited to join CDEL given my bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management. I hope to one day be an attorney and am eager to see the ways in which CDEL lawyers use their knowledge to help make an impact. My favorite thing about CDEL is seeing the effect that CDEL’s work has on clients in their testimonies. It is very inspiring and motivates me to hopefully use my education to serve others in a similar way."

Learn more about Taylor and all the other CDEL staff members at CDEL's website: https://www.cdelaw.org/cdel-team

More News from CDEL:

• CDEL is hiring a new Staff Attorney and an Operations Manager. To learn more and apply, please go to https://www.cdelaw.org/work-with-cdel
• The Chicago Sun Times featured CDEL in an article about the Cook County Clerk's New Help Desk: CDEL Partners with Cook County Clerk’s Office in Staffing New Help Desk
• CDEL is now recruiting for the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon! To learn more and to join Team CDEL, go to CDEL's 2023 Marathon Registration Page or email CDEL Development Assistant, Alyssa York at ayork@cdelaw.org to learn more!

Thank you to our Pro Bono and Community Partners!

Thank you to our Pro Bono Partners who have volunteered with us in October!

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

McDonald's

Pro Bono Network

State Farm

Thank you to our community partners listed below, for allowing us to continue to conveniently and accessibly serve our clients in the communities in which they live.

Bloom Township Senior Services

Center on Addison

Claire House Senior Apartments

EZRA Multi-Service Center

Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation

Martha Washington Senior Apartments

Pathlights
Paul Stewart Apartments

Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center

Solutions for Care

University of Chicago Law School

West Suburban Senior Services

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