Other Voices

Cheryl Vallee believes in the kindness of volunteers and the power of information to transform lives.

Vallee is the director of the Center for Community Justice, based in Schenectady, which has just launched a new Legal Hand call-in program, an access-to-justice initiative, free for residents of Albany and Schenectady counties.

In this week’s Enterprise podcast, Vallee shares several personal narratives that, over decades, have a central theme: With the help of volunteers and pertinent information, individuals can be empowered to make beneficial changes in their lives.

Nearly a quarter of a century ago, in 1998, Vallee volunteered for the Court Appointed Special Advocates program. CASA volunteers advocate for children, often foster children, who have been abused or neglected.

“They really need a voice,” said Vallee. The goal is to settle children in safe and permanent homes.

A CASA volunteer can flush out information from teachers or medical providers about a child and bring that information to the judge hearing a case. 

Vallee recalled once talking to a teacher about a middle-school boy she was helping. The teacher told Vallee, “Thank God somebody asked me about this young man because I can tell you he comes to this class every morning … puts his head down on his desk. He’s crying, and no one was asking: How is he doing in school?”

The center’s newest program — Legal Hand — also depends on volunteers.

“Access to justice means information,” said Vallee. “It means a willing ear. It means very patient, thoughtful, and kind volunteers who are helping the visitor. Often people just want someone to listen and understand. And sometimes that’s really all that they’re looking for.”

Legal Hand was started in 2015 by Helaine Barnett and Vallee believes it will eventually become a national program.

The local call-in program, which started earlier this month, trained 18 volunteers who work from computers in their homes to answer questions and help local residents navigate systems that can be complex or confusing.

A volunteer, for example, might help a visitor fill out an application for public benefits or help with employment or landlord issues. Two areas Legal Hand does not assist with are divorce cases or criminal matters.

Any Schenectady or Albany county residents seeking help can call 518-400-5544 or email SchenectadyAlbany@LegalHand.org.