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.

Policy Statement on Supplier Diversity

  • Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure our vendor community reflects our client population and to encourage the development of minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and disability- owned (“Diverse Suppliers”). Our commitment to this is reinforced by our anti-discrimination policies. VLP acknowledges the common barriers that can hinder the success of the historically underrepresented groups. This policy statement ensures strict compliance with all regulatory requirements as well as with federal, state, and local procurement policies.

 

  • Our Vision: To integrate supplier Diversity and Inclusion in the VLP procurement process, establish and maintain excellent supplier relationships with Diverse Suppliers in the communities we serve.

 

  • Our Goals:
    • Promoting the sourcing of goods and services from competitive Diverse Suppliers;
    • Promoting the sourcing of goods and services from third party certifications;
    • Encourage Diverse Suppliers to certify to promote and develop their business.

The Supplier Diversity Office of Massachusetts (SDO) certifies diverse businesses and also manages several business programs that help enhance the marketability of small and diverse businesses when they bid on public contracts.  Learn more below!

The Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) has a long tradition of service to minority and women-owned businesses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The SDO currently certifies the following diverse business categories in-house and via agreements with third-party organizations:

 

  • Minority (MBE)
  • Women (WBE)
  • Portuguese (PBE)
  • Veteran (VBE) businesses)
  • Service-Disabled Veteran (SDVOBE)
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTBE)
  • Disability-Owned (DOBE) businesses)

Click here to learn more about the benefits of the SDO Certification program.

 

Click here to take the self-assessment offered by the SDO to find out if you qualify for certification in one or more categories.

 

Please click here for more information on how to apply for Diversity Certification as a Massachusetts-based business.

 

To find SDO certified businesses please search the directory here: Directory of Certified Businesses.

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

Or apply for assistance online here.

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. 

 

Read more…

Asian American Resources

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.

 

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. 

 

https://www.homelessyouth.org/en/us/massachusetts/lgbtq

Resources for Retirees & Seniors

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!