WHAT IS PROJECT DANDELION?

Project Dandelion was originally founded in 1992 by a group of women at Neighborhood Legal Services in Buffalo, New York. A sister Project Dandelion at LAA began operation in 1999. Dandelion provides legal information and support for people who are seeking to become self-sufficient.
To contact Dandelion email:  
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DANDELION'S PROGRAMMING IN CONNECTICUT:

Outreach

  • Free drop-in legal sessions each week in the Valley. 
  • One time training sessions for advocates and members of the public on benefits law, employment law, welfare reform and other legal topics
  • Training for low income workers on job retention techniques and using employment law to remove barriers to self-sufficiency
  • Ongoing relationships with Mothers for Justice, the Christian Community Action food pantry, Life Haven, and other community service centers where low income workers go for help
  • Ongoing training sessions for advocates

Publications

  • Training materials and complaint packet for Dandelion Workers Clinic
  • Materials for the Advocacy Skills training workshop and Advocacy Skills Manual
  • Article on outreach techniques written for NLADA national meeting
  • Please see Dandelion web site for information on Dandelion in Buffalo: www.nls.org
  • Seed packet for replication of Dandelion programs

Cases

Through legal advocacy, Dandelion advocates (staff attorney and student volunteers) in the LAA benefits unit have helped people:

  • Secure unemployment compensation benefits
  • Appeal the denial of employment-related disability benefits
  • Reverse benefits and housing sanctions
  • Testify at public hearings
  • File claims of discrimination with the CHRO and negotiate favorable settlements
  • Negotiate reasonable accommodations at work in compliance with the ADA
  • Reverse employer terminations and negotiate reinstatements through enforcement of the FMLA

Education: The Workers' Clinic and the Advocacy Skills Workshop

Workers' Clinic: Workers learn how to fill out discrimination complaint forms and get help in filing their discrimination complaints pro se. They also have access to legal services professionals during evening hours.

Advocacy Skills workshop: People learn how to advocate more effectively for themselves and for others. Advocacy Skills Manual available from Dandelion in Buffalo; we are also available to help teachers develop lesson plans and customize the workshop to suit the needs of their students.

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New Haven Legal Assistance Association, Inc.
426 State Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510-2018
Phone: 203.946.4811 Fax: 203.498.9271
You can email us at:

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