Tuesday, May 5th
Join Pisgah Legal in celebrating #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity, and an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.
#GivingTuesdayNOW is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world.
Pisgah Legal Services is on the front-lines helping families keep their homes; protecting vulnerable people from scammers; helping immigrants understand their rights, advocating for survivors of abuse; and assisting workers denied unemployment insurance. Please stand with Pisgah Legal today because justice can’t wait!
How You Can Be a Part of PLS #GivingTuesdayNOW:
- Double Your Donation: Make a gift online or by check and generous donors will match up to $10,000 for the #GivingTuesdayNOW Challenge. Click on the link below or mail a check to Pisgah Legal Services, PO Box 2276, Asheville, NC 28802 postmarked on May 5th.
- Video Premiere: Join us on Facebook for a video premiere from staff and volunteers at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, May 5th, created by Russell Shuler.
- Support with a Selfie: Show your support of Pisgah Legal with a #Justice Can’t Wait selfie and share on social media. Download ours or get creative and make your own! Tag Pisgah Legal Services so we can share the love.
Pisgah Legal: Helping Renters Stand for their Rights
Life during the pandemic is stressful enough but imagine losing your job and being threatened with eviction in less than 24 hours. That’s what happened to Tyler*, who came to Pisgah Legal Services for help.
Pisgah Legal Housing Attorney, Molly Maynard explains, “When Tyler and his roommates all lost their jobs in March, like so many people have in this pandemic, they struggled to make rent. Rather than working with them or even attempting to follow the legal eviction process, their landlord demanded they give her their keys and leave immediately, with nowhere to go. She even entered their house in the middle of the night, yelling at them to get out. That kind of thing would never be legal, but was especially shocking and scary for them because of the health concerns it presents right now.”
“Pisgah Legal keeps people from taking advantage of the working poor.” – Tyler
Tyler says, “Molly explained our rights as renters and told us we couldn’t be evicted right now. The landlord didn’t believe me when I told her I had access to a lawyer.” Then Molly contacted Tyler’s landlord.
Tyler says that Pisgah Legal’s intervention changed everything for him and his roommates. “After Pisgah Legal got involved and called our landlord, she calmed down, stopped the harassment and started talking about setting up a payment plan.”
Soon after, Tyler found a new construction job. He and his roommates also found new places to live and moved. He says, “It’s reassuring that Pisgah Legal Services is in our community. This kind of thing happens all the time to renters. You all are a great resource for working-class people.”
*Name changed at client’s request