About Us
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
VLP’s Dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee of the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is dedicated to ensuring our staff and volunteer communities reflect our client populations. By fostering an organizational culture that celebrates cultural competency and solidarity, we aim to build a welcoming and diverse staff who is accessible, informed, and empathetic.
Resources by Topic
Accessibility
To Report or Seek Advice Regarding Abuse & Neglect of Persons with Disabilities:
Disabled Persons Protection Commission Hotline
800-426-9009
TTY 888-822-0350
The Disability Law Center (DLC) is the Protection and Advocacy agency for Massachusetts. DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities.
Call for assistance at
- 800 872-9992
- 617 723-8455
Advancing the rights and opportunities of persons with mental health challenges through quality legal advocacy and education in Massachusetts.
Find out more at mhlac.org or contact them by phone:
- PHONE 617-338-2345
- TOLL-FREE 1-800-342-9092 | toll free for Massachusetts callers
- TTY Line 617-227-6500 | for TTY users and callers from jails and prisons
To better serve individuals with mental health disorders and handle behavioral emergencies more safely, cities across the United States are implementing initiatives to bridge the gap between law enforcement and mental health care.
Asian American Resources
- Asian American Psychological Association
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- Detox Local – An extensive list of mental health and substance use resources specifically for AAPI communities
- Mental Health Resources for Students of Color (note: AAPI resources are located near the bottom of this link)
- National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
Black Lives Matter
VLP stands firm beside our Black colleagues, friends, family, and neighbors in the fight for safety, justice, and peace. We take this stand because Black Lives Matter. We commit to advocating for access to justice. We commit to quality representation.
View our directory of mental & physical health resources, local & virtual Black-owned establishments, reading material for allies, and more HERE.
First People & Native American Resources
It is with respect and humility that we acknowledge VLP’s location is within the tribal land of this nation’s First People. To learn more about the history of local Native Americans, and how to support local Native communities, please read below.
- Institute for American Indian Studies: Museum & Research Center
- Institute for New England Native American Studies (with internship opportunities)
- Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness
- Mental Health Resources for Students of Color (note: resources for First People & Native American students are located towards the middle section of this link)
- North American Indian Center of Boston
LGBT+ Resources
- AIDS Action Committee
617.437.6200
Massachusetts locations in: Boston, Cambridge, and Lynn
Mission: To stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes for those infected and at risk, and tackling the root causes of HIV/AIDS. - aac.org
- ACLU
617.482.3170
Massachusetts locations in: Boston
Mission: To ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. - aclum.org
- BAGLY
617.227.4313
Massachusetts locations in: Boston
Mission: To provide safe, supportive, non-exploitative, and culturally competent spaces where LGBT+ youth can access social support and services, develop leadership, and build community. - bagly.org
- GLAD
617.426.1350
Massachusetts locations in: Boston
Mission: To create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation. - glad.org
- GLASS
781.559.4900
Massachusetts locations in: Boston, Framingham, and Needham
Mission: To provide a continuum of services to LGBT+ youth of color, youth living with HIV, and youth who are allies to the LGBT+ community and to offer holistic, client-centered, trauma-informed legal services to low-income individuals living with disabilities. - jri.org
- Homeless Youth Handbook (LGBT+)
Mission: to provide homeless youth information about their rights and resources. - https://www.homelessyouth.org/en/us/massachusetts/lgbtq
- Massachusetts Fair Housing Center
413.539.9796
Massachusetts locations in: Holyoke
Mission: To provide free legal services to those with housing discrimination complaints. - massfairhousing.org
- Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association
Massachusetts locations in: Boston
Mission: To provide a visible LGBTQ presence within the Massachusetts legal community with emphasis on justice, education, support, and leadership. - masslgbtqbar.org
- Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition
617.778.0519
Massachusetts locations in: Boston
Mission: To end oppression and discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. - masstpc.org
- Women’s Bar Association & Foundation
617.973.6666
Massachusetts locations in: Boston
Mission: To ensure access to justice for low-income individuals and their families. - wbawbf.org
Resources for Homeless Youth
Homeless Youth Handbook
Mission: to provide homeless youth information about their rights and resources.
Resources for Retirees & Seniors
- Elder Abuse Hotline
800-922-2275 - 800 Age Info
800-243-4636
Are you the landlord of a 2-3 unit property? Do you live in that property? Are you considering filing an eviction for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19? Then you may be eligible for our services!
Visit our Covid Eviction Legal Help Project (CELHP) page to see how we can help!