For Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s November 2023 Supporter of the Month, we spotlight and celebrate Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark and its Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program that provide much-needed funding for VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program (VLP). Through SSVF, Catholic Charities provides essential supportive services to veterans experiencing poverty and those at risk of homelessness.
Veterans can face a number of challenges when transitioning to civilian life, which may lead to ongoing civil legal issues that impact housing stability and financial security. To help meet the demand while serving those who served, VLJ’s VLP provides holistic legal services to veterans in Catholic Charities’ SSVF program, working to determine what issues are holding them back and when legal relief is possible. After a preliminary legal “checkup”, VLJ provides legal assistance on a range of civil legal matters, including eviction defense, driver’s license restoration, criminal record expungement, estate planning, and child support modification.
Catholic Charities’ commitment to veterans experiencing poverty underscores their dedication to ensuring access to justice for those who served. VLJ is grateful for Catholic Charities’ support and partnership, and we look forward to continuing to break down barriers to justice so New Jersey’s veterans can lead a life that honors their service. Thank you, Catholic Charities!