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We hope to see you at our events this May for CARPLS and New Leaf! Stay tuned for individual reminders 💙

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Golden Gavel Celebration! ✨

A special thank you to our sponsors, community partners, and donors for their generous support. Because of you all, CARPLS raised a record amount of funds this year!

Congratulations to our 2026 Golden Gavel Awardee, Carrie Di Santo of CME Group! We loved seeing our community come together at a fresh new venue and strengthen connections with one another.

@robinsubarphoto

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Golden Gavel Celebration! ✨

A special thank you to our sponsors, community partners, and donors for their generous support. Because of you all, CARPLS raised a record amount of funds this year!

Congratulations to our 2026 Golden Gavel Awardee, Carrie Di Santo of CME Group! We loved seeing our community come together at a fresh new venue and strengthen connections with one another.

@robinsubarphoto

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Golden Gavel Celebration! ✨

A special thank you to our sponsors, community partners, and donors for their generous support. Because of you all, CARPLS raised a record amount of funds this year!

Congratulations to our 2026 Golden Gavel Awardee, Carrie Di Santo of CME Group! We loved seeing our community come together at a fresh new venue and strengthen connections with one another.

@robinsubarphoto

Curious what it’s like to work at CARPLS?
Join Lucy Lu on her final day as a CARPLS intern as she gives us a behind-the-scenes look at life at a legal aid nonprofit.

#CARPLS #LegalAid #ChicagoNonprofit #Nonprofit #CollegeIntern #DayInTheLife #summerinternship #chicago

Congratulations to this year’s Everyday Hero recipient, Nancy Chaidez ✨

Upon reflecting on her time at CARPLS, Nancy says, “Every day I wake up knowing I can help someone. Even if I can’t solve every problem, I can listen. I can make someone feel heard. I can make a difference.”

Nancy’s dedication, compassion, and hard work make a lasting impact on both our clients and the CARPLS team every day. Read more about her amazing accomplishment using the link in our bio.

We love hearing from the people we serve! Your stories remind us of the impact legal aid can have and fuel our commitment to making justice accessible every day.

Each year, CARPLS helps thousands of people who can’t afford an attorney find answers to their everyday legal problems free of charge. We serve low- and moderate-income residents of Cook County.

New Leaf Illinois can clear more than just your old cannabis record. Our attorneys can review your record and help you clear all eligible arrests & convictions.

Reach out today – 872-NEW-LEAF or visit newleafillinois.org.

At CARPLS, we know that legal issues don’t exist in a vacuum. They’re deeply tied to a person’s well-being—mentally, emotionally, and financially. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the intersection between legal aid and mental health.

Here’s what CARPLS clients have shared with us after receiving legal help!

#CARPLS #LegalAid #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

Today on Armed Forces Day, we honor the brave individuals who serve and protect our country with courage, dedication, and selflessness. 🇺🇸

As President Barack Obama once said, “Whenever the world makes you cynical; whenever you seek true humility, and true selflessness — look to a veteran.”

IL-AFLAN, a program funded by the State of Illinois, is here to help low-income veterans with their civil legal issues. CALL 855-IL-AFLAN (855-452-3526) to talk to an attorney if you are a veteran, service member, national guard, reservist, or spouse or dependent.

Our CARPLS staff were honored to attend Taller de José’s Builders Day late last month.

Supervising Attorney Patricia Cintrón-Bastin and Attorney Antonio Rodriguez (pictured here with Anny Mayer Diaz, former Executive Director of Taller De Jose and Elizabeth Jennings White, current Executive Director) proudly represented CARPLS at this special celebration.

As a partner of Taller de José, we support their mission to serve as a bridge to vital health, legal, and social services. Through our collaboration, clients are able to connect directly with Spanish-speaking attorneys — helping ensure equitable access to justice for all.

We’re proud to share this year’s Golden Gavel Award Gala client video, available on YouTube! 🌟

The video highlights partners from Far South CDC, Here to Stay Land Trust, Palenque LSNA and Freedom Defense Center of Austin – some of the many who make our work at CARPLS possible. Stay tuned for a story from the resilient Roosevelt Myles, a New Leaf client and wrongfully incarcerated individual who retells his journey of a second chance.

The link is in our bio!

Wrongful convictions don’t stop haunting people once they leave the courtroom. Even after an exoneration, the weight of a record, a label, and years lost can follow someone everywhere they go.

Roosevelt Myles knows that reality firsthand. Finding employment after exoneration felt nearly impossible — his past following him like a cloud of smoke no matter how hard he tried to move forward. Through partnerships with New Leaf Illinois and CARPLS, we were able to help connect him with resources to obtain an expungement and create a real path toward opportunity.

We’re grateful to work alongside organizations committed to restoring dignity, removing barriers, and helping people truly move on with their lives. Second chances matter but so does making those second chances possible.

CARPLS is proud to welcome our newest Board member, Ami Patel of Renovo Financial. Ami serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, skillfully balancing risk mitigation with commercial realities and growth objectives. She will be an invaluable addition to our Board of Directors.