WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1981, Philadelphia VIP has served as a beacon of community empowerment through its endeavor to ensure equitable access to justice for all Philadelphians facing legal challenges which threaten their basic human needs, including housing, family, income, and community; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia VIP was initially established 45 years ago as the pro-bono arm of the Philadelphia Bar Association to address the urgent, unmet need for civil legal services as a direct response to federal cuts to civil legal aid. Born from the conviction of dedicated local attorneys that no Philadelphian should be denied justice simply because they could not afford a lawyer; in the years that followed, VIP has remained steadfast in providing legal aid for essential needs to low-income individuals at their most vulnerable moments; and
WHEREAS, Through their volunteer-based service model, VIP recruits, trains, and supports hundreds of volunteer attorneys to provide pro bono legal services to clients in need. VIP creates access to justice by assisting those facing critical legal problems who are unable to receive legal assistance elsewhere, serving hundreds of clients each year by providing quality pro-bono legal services to prevent homelessness, preserve income, support small businesses and nonprofits and ensure family stability; and
WHEREAS, VIP has worked with the City to assist with financial barriers for low-income residents attempting to transfer home deeds into their own names. This essential work has helped to preserve affordable housing, prevent homelessness, and strengthen communities; and
WHEREAS, VIP's promotes community economic development through its small business and nonprofit legal clinic, connecting moderate-income entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders with transactional attorneys from diverse backgrounds for free consultations, fueling the growth of Philadelphia-based enterprises from the ground up; and
WHEREAS, For 45 years, Philadelphia VIP has been a vital resource to the Philadelphia community, working to help our City thrive, ensuring that the City is safer, make Philadelphia a better place to live, and ensure that every Philadelphian can access justice; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes, congratulates and honors the 45 years of excellent work and dedicated service Philadelphia VIP has given to our City and our community.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Philadelphia VIP as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this nonprofit organization.
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