Open Hands Legal Services Young Professionals Network

The Young Professionals Network (YPN) offers supporters in their 20s and 30s an opportunity to support Open Hands Legal Services (OHLS) by acting as ambassadors for OHLS and promoting fundraising initiatives. Members participate in a variety of fun projects and events that strengthen our program capacity. This is a great opportunity for those who enjoy meeting people, events and networking.

 Throughout their service term from October 2018 to September 2019, members will gain:

•  Substantive experience in nonprofit leadership

 YPN members may choose to:

• Fundraise, including raising awareness for all campaigns and events on the OHLS fundraising calendar
• Attend, host, and recruit guests for YPN events. The YPN may host up to three events in the next year. Members will provide strategic relationships and recruit guests, and OHLS staff and YPN members will work together to manage event logistics.

Tentative calendar:

• Fall 2018: Young Supporters fall kick-off event
• November 27-December 31st: OHLS #GivingTueday and year-end campaign
• November 28, 2017 - Volunteer Appreciation/Year End Event
• March 2019: Spring Benefit kickoff/YPN Winter Social
• April 2019/May 2019: Spring Benefit
• All members should attend or send a representative.
• All members should pay for their own ticket and invite at least five people.
• Certain designated positions on the YPN may have additional responsibilities.
• July/August 2019: End of Summer YPN Social
• Late Summer 2019:Justice Circle Fall Monthly Giving Drive
• Volunteer at Legal Aid Desks
• Actively support OHLS throughout the year, including:
• Donate to OHLS in a way that is personally significant and meaningful
• Understand OHLS’s mission well enough to effectively communicate it to others

 ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION PROCEDURE

All are welcome. Please email your application and resume to info@openhandslegalservices.org for consideration for the 2018-2019 season. If we feel that you and the YPN could be a great fit, we’ll contact you in September!

June Newsletter - Serving with Open Hands Legal Services!

Thank you for partnering with Open Hands in our vision of transforming all lives through the power of justice and hope! Here are just a few ways your support has helped low-income and homeless New Yorkers access justice in 2018.

Serving with our Volunteers
Graham Gibbs

One reason I enjoy working with OHLS is because the organization is such a testament to the claim on its website: “ALL LIVES TRANSFORMED BY THE POWER OF JUSTICE AND HOPE”.  It’s easy to read and learn about “justice” in school, but I never fully grasped the magnitude of the concept before volunteering with OHLS and getting to know some of the individuals who come seeking aid.

Our clients are good, hardworking people from all stages of life, many of whom need not only justice but simply hope.  The ability to give them hope and validation is a spiritually powerful tool that I have seen have an immediate impact (on both clients and me).  Deuteronomy 15:11 directs: “open wide your hand to your brother, the needy and to the poor”. OHLS showcases how valuable this is not only to the brothers and sisters we serve, but to our own personal and spiritual development.

Want more ways to get involved? See below for some upcoming opportunities! Join us this summer as we serve and get social! Check out the ways you can join our mission and bring justice and hope to our city.

Volunteer with Open Hands
New Volunteer Training

Would you like to volunteer with Open Hands Legal Services at our legal aid desks? Join us at our next new volunteer training session, on Saturday, June 9th at the NYC Rescue Mission. Click here to register and reserve your spot!

Calling all Young Professionals
Summer Social!

Come celebrate the start of summer with our Young Professionals Network on June 19th. Join us after work for light bites, drinks and a fantastic time of fellowship as we kick off summer. The event begins at 7pm and will take place at Monarch Rooftop. Click here to RSVP

Support Open Hands by Becoming a Donor

Would you like to financially support Open Hands Legal Services? You can make a donation or become a monthly donor by joining our "Justice Circle" by clicking the link below. Your support will help us serve hundreds more clients at our community partner host locations as we continue to see all lives transformed by the power of justice and hope. Click the "Give Now" button to donate.

January Newsletter

Thank You for Helping Open Hands Exceed Our Year-End Fundraising Goal!

We exceeded our $65,000 year-end campaign goal and cannot thank you enough for the support, prayers and donations that you have given to Open Hands. If you did not get a chance to make a gift yet, don't worry! You can click here now to make a tax-deductible donation to Open Hands!

In 2018, Resolve to...
Run more this year! You can join Open Hands and run for justice this year. Our running club will have its first meeting at 9am on Saturday, January 27th in Central Park (Engineer's Gate by the Fred Lebow statue at 90th St and 5th Avenue). If you'd like to register and join the club, click here. If you join by becoming a $35 monthly donor, you will receive an athletic shirt! We look forward to running with you! All runners that become a monthly donor will receive a shirt when they register to join!

Open Hands is Hiring!
We are currently looking to hire a staff attorney to join our team. If you or anyone you know would like to join Open Hands make sure to click here to view the job description.

Open Hands 2018 Prayer Night

Join us on Thursday, February 1st for a time of prayer and thanksgiving as we start the year off seeking the Lord for His plan for Open Hands. The meeting will begin at 7pm and be held at Redeemer W83. Make sure to invite a friend to join you! RSVP by clicking here .

Looking ahead...

While it's still cold outside we are looking forward to spring when Open Hands will hold its annual benefit. We hope to see you there. Be sure to secure your tickets now: click here to purchase!

Open Hands ls Hiring

POSITION DESCRIPTION PART-TIME STAFF ATTORNEY  

Open Hands Legal Services seeks a highly dedicated attorney with an interest in direct legal services to the poor to serve as a Staff Attorney. Our vision is the transformation of all lives through the power of justice and hope. Our mission is to uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed in New York City. We bring free legal services directly to community members at host non-profit organizations throughout the city and break down the legal barriers to their success, enabling individuals to flourish and embody the full persons they are intended to be. More information about us is available at www.openhandslegalservices.org.

Under the supervision of Open Hands Legal Services’ Legal Director, the Staff Attorney will oversee regular legal aid desks where he or she will supervise volunteers and provide legal counsel, advice, and representation to low-income individuals facing eviction, termination of public benefits, family law and immigration issues, among other things.  The Staff Attorney’s responsibilities will include also case management, litigation and advocacy on behalf of individual clients.  Essential duties and responsibilities include:  interviewing clients, negotiations with opposing counsel, discovery, motions, and possible appellate work.  In addition to carrying their own caseload, the Staff Attorney will work with volunteer attorneys to provide pro bono advocacy and legal services.  Other duties may be assigned.

The candidate must have excellent writing, advocacy, communication and organizational skills.  Open Hands seeks an attorney with a proven ability to think strategically and creatively about litigation and one that possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and a love for our clients.  The ideal candidate is a self-starter that responds well to quickly changing demands with flexibility.  The ability to take initiative and work independently is critical to this position.  The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to Open Hands’ mission and values  and acts always as an ambassador of our work.

Qualifications

●       Attorney and member of NY bar in good standing

●       Mature Christian faith as defined by the Apostles’ Creed

●       Minimum of 2 years relevant experience practicing civil legal services, particularly in the area of landlord-tenant law, employment law, public benefits law and/or immigration law.

●       Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

●       Strong written and oral communication skills

●       Strong interpersonal skills

●       Strong leadership skills and ability to supervise teams of volunteers

●       Demonstrated concern for the needs and rights of low-income communities

●       Demonstrated ability to interact with diverse populations in a sensitive and professional manner

●       Strong entrepreneurial spirit combined with sacrificial service to our clients and team

●       Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, handle challenging work, and meet deadlines

●       Ability to plan and manage own work,  handle a high volume of cases and take initiative is critical

●       Proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility and good humor

●       JD from an accredited law school

●       A second language – especially Spanish– is  preferred but not required

Terms

●       Hours:  approximately 32 hours/week (subject to a potential increase to 40 hours per week)

●       This position requires evening and weekend meetings and full commitment and support to the OHLS team and community. 

●       Salary commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to recruiting@openhandslegalservices.org  with “Staff Attorney” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.  Due to the high numbers of applicants for this position, we regret that we can only respond to candidates that we would like to interview.

Holiday Happenings at Open Hands

The Volunteer and Supporter Appreciation Social is next week!

Join us at Solas on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 7pm as we celebrate our amazing Open Hands community. Enjoy lite bites and libations as we highlight some milestones and star volunteers in our organization. Click below to RSVP and make sure to invite a friend!

RSVP NOW

Get Ready to Smile with Open Hands

As you complete all of your Christmas shopping and other purchases during this time of year, make sure to connect to our Amazon Smile account. By using the link smile.amazon.com/ch/13-4189193 a small portion of all of your purchases will be donated to Open Hands! 
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Congratulations to Our New YPN Members

Open Hands would like to welcome four new members to our Young Professionals Network. We look forward to serving our city with our newest additions to the OHLS family. Congratulations to Peyton Barr, Julie Lee, May Li and Susan Varghese.

Giving Tuesday is One Week From Today

Get ready to give the gift of justice this season. Our countdown to 2018 giving campaign will begin on Giving Tuesday, November 28th! We have a generous anonymous match donor that will match each donation up to $10,000 on that day. Mark your calendars!

Save the Date – Open Hands’ Annual Spring Benefit

Mark your calendars and save the date. Our annual Spring Benefit will take place on Thursday, May 3, 2018. We look forward to an evening of celebrating the transformation of lives through the power of justice and hope over the last year. If you would like to inquire about group ticket purchase options or possible sponsorship opportunities now, contact Jacquelynn by clicking here.

In everything give thanks. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NET)