Skip Navigation
News Written By

Clarissa Ayala

Earned Income Tax Awareness FAQs with Karyna Lopez, Litigation Director 

UPDATE: CHECK OUT OUR LITC SERVICE PAGE FOR A LIST OF NEW TAXPAYER RESOURCES In these FAQs, we explore the ins and outs of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) with Karyna Lopez, Litigation Director, shedding light on eligibility criteria, recent regulatory changes, required documentation, and more. How can I determine if I qualify for the EITC? If you have […]

Read More

Legal Services Corporation to Host Forum on Increasing Access to Justice and Pro Bono Awards Luncheon

Houston, TX – January 18, 2024 – Advocates, attorneys, and civic and nonprofit leaders will gather at a forum on January 22, 2024, hosted by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Houston, Texas, to discuss the ongoing rise in reported incidences of domestic violence. According to the National Coalition on Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 […]

Read More

Lone Star Legal Aid Awarded Grant from Texas Access to Justice Foundation to Enhance Children’s Health and Security

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid is proud to receive a grant from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation aimed at advancing children’s well-being in regions across Texas. LSLA will offer education services, ensuring children have the support they need to thrive academically. A second initiative will expand LSLA’s Medical Legal Partnerships […]

Read More

Community Victory: Waste Management Withdraws Landfill Expansion Permit Application in Carverdale Area

Houston, TX, January 12, 2024 – In a monumental win for the Carverdale community, Applicant USA Waste of Texas Landfills, Inc., affiliated with Waste Management, has officially withdrawn its application for a permit to expand the “Hawthorn Park” landfill on Tanner Road in the Carverdale area of Houston, Texas. This decision from Waste Management to withdraw from an ongoing contested […]

Read More

Federal Court Strikes Down Permit for Construction of Port Arthur LNG Terminal

In a Victory for Clean Air Advocates in Texas, U.S. Court of Appeals Halts Sempra Energy Natural Gas Export Facility FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 Media contacts: Tom Pelton, Environmental Integrity Project (443) 510-2574 or tpelton@environmentalintegrity.org John Beard, Port Arthur Community Action Network (409) 626-1179 or john.beard901456@outlook.com Clarissa Ayala, Lone Star Legal Aid (832) 627-8404 or cayala@lonestarlegal.org Port Arthur, […]

Read More

Lone Star Legal Aid Celebrates Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week 2023

Organized by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF), Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week (TVLAW) highlights the dedicated efforts of legal aid organizations to serve Veterans’ legal needs. As we approach this year’s TVLAW, it is an excellent time to reflect on the critical role legal aid plays in ensuring Veterans receive the support and assistance they deserve. While Veterans’ […]

Read More

November is Military Family Month

November is Military Family Month, a time to honor and show appreciation for the resilience and sacrifices of military families who support our service members. These families endure unique challenges, including frequent relocations, long deployments, and the emotional toll of having loved ones in harm’s way. During this month, we recognize their unwavering commitment and strength, as they play a […]

Read More

Lone Star Legal Aid Celebrates 75 Years Of Service With Historic Symposium: “The Origins Of Lone Star Legal Aid”

Houston, Texas — Lone Star Legal Aid, a legal aid organization, is proud to announce its historic symposium, “The Origins of Lone Star Legal Aid,” celebrating 75 years of dedicated service in meeting human and legal needs. The symposium will take place on Friday, November 3, 2023, at Thurgood Marshall School of Law from 10 AM to 4 PM. This […]

Read More

Lone Star Legal Aid Launches Rise to Recovery Initiative to Assist Those Affected by the Opioid Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking initiative, Rise to Recovery, aimed at providing vital legal aid to individuals and families impacted by the opioid crisis. The opioid epidemic has had devastating consequences across our communities, leaving countless individuals facing a range of legal challenges, from child custody […]

Read More

Lone Star Legal Aid Champions Tenant Rights: Over 100 Eviction Cases Dismissed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Harris County, TX – August 14, 2023 – Lone Star Legal Aid (“LSLA”), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal services to underserved communities, has achieved a significant victory for tenants by securing the dismissal of over 100 eviction cases at Cabo San Lucas and Redford Apartments in Harris County. In a remarkable demonstration of their […]

Read More

Night Court’s “The Law Files”: An Exclusive Event Benefiting Lone Star Legal Aid’s Military & Veterans Unit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, June 22, 2023 (Updated Friday, July 7, 2023) Houston, TX – Join us for a remarkable evening as Night Court proudly presents “The Law Files,” an event dedicated to supporting Houston area nonprofits, including Lone Star Legal Aid’s Military and Veterans Unit. We invite you to be part of this meaningful experience that aims to make […]

Read More

Community Leaders Urge Port Houston, Army Corps of Engineers To Conduct More Testing, Relocate Toxic Sediment from Ship Channel Expansion

Contacts: Clarissa Ayala, cayala@lonestarlegal.org, 832-627-8404 Riikka Pohjankoski, riikka@airalliancehouston.org, 713-589-7079 Allyn West, awest@edf.org, 713-724-1810 MEDIA ADVISORY: (Houston, TX, June 15, 2023) — Concerned with the health and environmental risks connected to Port Houston’s $1 billion expansion of the Houston Ship Channel, known as Project 11, Healthy Port Communities Coalition representatives and legal and scientific experts will gather for a day of […]

Read More

Years Later, A Few More Affordable Apartments

If you’re living in “affordable housing,” you’re probably surrounded by poverty. It’s not supposed to be this way. When the poorest people are crowded in the least hospitable neighborhoods, it results in a lower standard of living. Ideally, subsidized housing would be constructed in areas with fewer poor people and less racial concentration. When developers try to build affordable housing […]

Read More

Lone Star Legal Aid Secures Groundbreaking Environmental Justice Settlement for Super Neighborhood 48 in Collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice

Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is pleased to announce a significant environmental justice settlement achieved in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on behalf of Super Neighborhood 48, encompassing Trinity Gardens and Houston Gardens. This groundbreaking agreement is a major step forward in protecting underserved communities and their rights to a healthy and sustainable environment. Super Neighborhood 48’s […]

Read More

Honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2023: Celebrating the Inspiring Work of Jessie Campbell and Victoria Smith

In commemoration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we proudly highlight the exceptional contributions of Jessie Campbell and Victoria Smith at Lone Star Legal Aid. These remarkable individuals, with their diverse backgrounds and experiences, have played a pivotal role in advancing justice and championing the rights of underrepresented communities. Let’s delve into their incredible journeys and the profound impact they […]

Read More
Topic
News

Know Your Rights: Beware of Notario Fraud | Conozca Sus Derechos: Cuidado Con el Fraude Notarial

Beware of notario fraud! It’s important to understand the risks involved to protect yourself and your loved ones. Notarios are not lawyers, even though their title might sound similar. They cannot provide legal advice or represent you in immigration matters.  Some people pretend to be notarios to take advantage of vulnerable individuals seeking help with their immigration cases. They may […]

Read More

Lone Star Legal Aid Helps Restore Holocaust Survivors’ Social Security Supplemental Income

Mr. Yuriy Chertkov and his wife are Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. In December, 2021, the couple received a reparations payment from Germany, which increased their bank account balance, putting them over the SSI resource limit. As a result, the Social Security Administration (SSA) determined they were not eligible for SSI for the month after […]

Read More

Lone Star Legal Aid Helps Army Veteran Obtain SSI

David Jenkins was discharged honorably from the US Army in 1973, and even received the National Defense Service Medal for his time on duty. Many veterans face difficulties adjusting to civilian life after time in the military, which can lead to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. In almost a third of cases, this can also lead to involvement […]

Read More

The City of Houston has Proclaimed April 25th as Sandra Small Day

Houston, Texas – The City of Houston’s Council Member, Leticia Plummer, hosted the Fifth Ward Cancer Cluster Collaborative Summit from April 24th through the 27th. The summit included a community sites tour, press conference, townhall, a proclamation in honor of IMPACT Greater Fifth Ward and advocate Sandra Small, and community breakout sessions with environmental and community leaders. IMPACT Greater Fifth […]

Read More