Chelan Douglas Volunteer Attorney Services

By Rachel Friederich, Serve Washington Communications

 

WENATCHEE--For low-income individuals facing eviction, bankruptcy, employment discrimination or family legal battles, access to justice can feel out of reach. Chelan-Douglas Volunteer Attorney Services, CDCVAS, a legal services nonprofit organization, is working to change that. Through pro bono representation, legal clinics, and advocacy, the organization has helped countless families stay in their homes, protect their wages, and navigate complex legal systems, proving that justice shouldn't be reserved for those who can afford it.

 

"The need for civil legal help is great and people deserve to know their rights," said CDCVAS Executive Director Eloise Barshes. "The legal system can be very complicated, and people come to us during a very challenging part of their lives. It can take a village to help them out of this challenge."

 

The metaphorical "village" Barshes refers to encompasses many volunteers-from attorneys that provide legal service, interpreters who help translate information to non-English speaking clients to community members who help with fundraising and awareness events.

 

In 2024, more than 50 volunteer attorneys with CDCVAS donated more than 450 pro bono hours of legal services to clients and assisted hundreds more community members through walk-in clinics and other events.

 

CDCVAS' board of directors and capital campaign chairs and others also worked on a project that will move CDVCAS to a new 5,000 square-foot building that will offer more public parking and more space to allow multiple private consultations and meetings. It will also have space that can accommodate legal education workshops.

 

"This organization works really hard to level the field and empower people who may feel powerless," Barshes said. "The legal system is not deigned for a layperson to be successful and the service we provide is an essential part of equity and access to justice."

 

On the web:

·      Learn more about CDVAS: https://cdcvas.org/

·      Find out about volunteer opportunities for attorneys, interpreters or other community members https://cdcvas.org/volunteer/

 

·      Find out about other ways to support CSCVAS such as the 2025 Justice on the Move event April 19: https://cdcvasjusticegala.schoolauction.net/2025justicegala/homepages/show