The Biden-Harris Administration’s Student Debt Relief Plan Explained
What the program means for you, and what comes next President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the U.S. Department of Education have
Jacksonville launches veterans survey to identify critical needs
A comprehensive survey of First Coast veterans is underway, aiming to identify critical needs in the community for veterans and their families. The anonymous 2022 Northeast Florida Veteran and Family Needs Assessment is the product of Endeavors, a nonprofit that conducts relief programs, including veterans services. Endeavors is partnering with Jacksonville, the University of North Florida and the Combined Arms Institute. Endeavors, which also aims to build a veterans wellness center in Jacksonville using city dollars along with state and federal grants, is funding the survey. Combined Arms is providing metrics and analysis, as well as a public report based on the data to be released in November. The assessment is being conducted and reviewed by UNF's Center for Community Initiatives. Jacksonville officials will help facilitate outreach and potentially use the data for future policy decisions.
JALA helps Afghan refugee obtain citizenship
“Asmaan” came to the United States from Afghanistan after ISIS fighters attacked her village, killed several of her family members, beat her over the head with a gun, sexually assaulted her, and left her for dead. After seven years in the U.S., she was about to lose her SSI benefits.
JALA helps domestic violence survivor get her green card
At 29, “Florencia” came to JALA after surviving domestic violence. An immigrant married to a U.S citizen who abused her, Florencia needed help getting a divorce and obtaining custody of her daughter, and she also needed to adjust her immigration status in order to support herself. JALA’s Family Law and Victim Advocacy Unit helped her with her divorce and custody issues, while its Immigration Unit filed her immigration applications and referred her to mental health and housing services.
Struggling to find affordable housing in Northeast Florida? These resources may help
Monthly expenses continue to balloon along with inflation for most Jacksonville families, and even with various fixes working their way down the line, such as the proposed property tax rate cut, some families are worried about how they will pay their bills now. Despite initiatives that are aimed to aid future homebuyers or advocacy for rent increase freezes, no solutions seem to be coming quickly enough. Here are a few options for people are looking for ways to get help now:
Freed to Run leadership aims to cross the $2.25 million finish line to fully endow the Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership
As Gunster shareholder Mike Freed prepares for his sixth annual Tallahassee-to-Jacksonville Freed to Run trek Nov. 14-19, he is counting on the support of a group of community leaders to take his namesake event across its ultimate fundraising finish line of $2.25 million.
Jacksonville event celebrates World Refugee Day
Catholic Charities Jacksonville on Monday hosted a World Refugee Day celebration. The event was held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the nonprofit’s headquarters in the Jessie Ball duPont Center on East Adams Street in downtown Jacksonville. The celebration helped introduce city, religious and community leaders to the civic, faith-based and governmental organizations and agencies that serve refugees throughout Jacksonville. The event also honored refugees, service providers and community members who have worked together during the challenges of the resettlement process. In addition, the event included performances, health-enhancing activities, and interactive informational displays from local refugee organizations and others.
JALA helps senior veteran stop garnishment of his federal benefits
After attending several outreach events conducted by JALA’s Veteran’s Service Unit, “Chuck,” a 72-year-old Duval County Veteran, came to JALA for help defending against a garnishment in small claims court. Attorney Declan Duffy of JALA’s Veterans Service Unit determined that Chuck was collection-proof, as the household’s only income was VA disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
JALA helps seniors with disabilities gain easier access to their apartment
“Sebastian,” 75, and his wife, “Elena,” 74, came to JALA for help after the property manager at their HUD-subsidized apartment in Middleburg, Fla, told them they could not leave Elena’s power mobility device near the entrance to their apartment. She needs the scooter to get around, while Sebastian uses a walker, and the couple also have a wheelchair van to assist with their mobility. Due to their disabilities, both are only able to walk short distances at a time. Unfortunately, their apartment is on a long hallway, and when they leave home, they have a long walk to get to the elevator and then to the parking lot. Sebastian would park Elena’s scooter, get their van, and then help Elena into it. He would then usually leave the scooter somewhere close to the door, rather than bringing it all the way back to their unit.
Born at home in 1938, woman lacking birth certificate gets an ID with JALA’s help
“Cyneetha,” 83, called JALA’s office for help obtaining a valid ID, as her old identification card was expired, and she was struggling to conduct routine activities without a current ID. Cyneetha had attempted to renew her FL Driver's License in 2020, but the DMV required her to produce a birth certificate to issue a REAL ID, and she didn’t have one. Cyneetha was born at home in South Carolina in 1938, and her family did not obtain a birth certificate at the time of the home birth.