Central Minnesota Legal Services Incorporated
Central Minnesota Legal Services Incorporated
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About this organization
Mission
THE MISSION OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA LEGAL SERVICES IS TO ADVOCATE FOR ACCESS TO THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE BY PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES AND TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY BY EMPOWERING SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS THROUGH LEGAL EDUCATION.
About
CMLS IS A POVERTY LAW FIRM AND PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME PEOPLE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT ITS 21- COUNTY SERVICE AREA IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA. THE SERVICE AREA STRETCHES FROM THE WESTERN BORDER WITH SOUTH DAKOTA TO THE EASTERN BORDER WITH WISCONSIN. THE HIGHEST PRIORITY AREAS OF LEGAL NEED ARE FAMILY LAW AND HOUSING ISSUES. CMLS EMPHASIZES REPRESENTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN ORDERS FOR PROTECTION, DISSOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE AND OTHER FAMILY LAW CASES. HOUSING CASES TYPICALLY INVOLVE PREVENTION OF HOMELESSNESS AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO LOW COST, SAFE AND SANITARY HOUSING. CMLS PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES THROUGH STAFF ATTORNEYS WHO PROVIDE ADVICE, BRIEF SERVICES AND FULL REPRESENTATION FOR A BROAD RANGE OF LEGAL PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY LOW INCOME PEOPLE. IN ADDITION, CMLS HAS A VIBRANT VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM THAT SERVES 19 OF THE 21 COUNTIES IN THE CMLS SERVICE AREA. IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, CMLS PARTNERS WITH THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHERE CHILD RELATED RELIEF IS SOUGHT. CMLS STAFF ATTORNEYS ARE PRESENT FOR FAMILY COURT'S DOMESTIC ABUSE CALENDAR THREE DAYS A WEEK. VICTIMS ARE OFFERED ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION. VICTIMS WHO ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL FAMILY LAW ISSUES FOLLOWING A DOMESTIC ABUSE CASE ARE FREQUENTLY ACCEPTED AS CLIENTS AND RECEIVE REPRESENTATION FROM CMLS. CMLS STAFF ATTORNEYS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS THROUGH SELF HELP CLINICS ESTABLISHED BY CMLS IN ANOKA AND STEARNS COUNTIES. THE VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM OFFERS LEGAL ADVICE CLINICS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LAW LIBRARIES OF WRIGHT COUNTY AND THE GREAT RIVER REGIONAL LIBRARY IN SAINT CLOUD. PRO BONO ATTORNEYS ALSO PROVIDE ADVICE AT A MONTHLY CMLS CLINIC IN ISANTI COUNTY. CMLS PRO BONO ATTORNEYS PROVIDE MEDIATION SERVICES IN THE SAINT CLOUD AND WILLMAR AREAS THROUGH A VOLUNTEER FAMILY MEDIATION PROGRAM. THIS IS THE PRIMARY MEDIATION SERVICE IN THE CMLS SERVICE AND IS FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WITH FAMILY DISPUTES. CMLS STAFF ATTORNEYS AND PRO BONO ATTORNEYS SERVE VETERANS THROUGHOUT ITS SERVICE AREA. REGULAR CLINICS ARE HELD IN ST. CLOUD TO MEET THE LEGAL NEEDS OF RURAL VETERANS. IN HENNEPIN AND ANOKA COUNTIES, CMLS PARTNERS WITH THE MINNESOTA ASSISTANCE COUNCIL FOR VETERANS AND STAFF ATTORNEYS PROVIDE FULL REPRESENTATION AND ADVICE TO VETERANS ON LEGAL ISSUES SUCH AS CHILD SUPPORT, PARENTING TIME AND LANDLORD/TENANT CASES. CMLS PROVIDES FREE LEGAL HELP TO NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS. MOST CLIENTS ARE FATHERS REFERRED FROM OUR PARTNER, THE FATHER PROJECT, A RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD PROGRAM OF GOODWILL/EASTER SEALS. THE FATHER PROJECT PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR FATHERS, INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT PARENT EDUCATION, TRAINING AND LEGAL SERVICES THROUGH A CMLS STAFF ATTORNEY LOCATED AT THE PROJECT. CMLS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS REGULARLY PRESENT COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION SEMINARS TO HELP LOW-INCOME PEOPLE AND SERVICE PROVIDERS UNDERSTAND LEGAL ISSUES AND PREVENT SOME LEGAL PROBLEMS FROM OCCURRING.
Interesting data from their 2020 990 filing
The non-profit's mission, as described in the filing, is “The mission of central minnesota legal services is to advocate for access to the civil justice system for low income people by providing high quality legal services and to improve the lives of people living in poverty by empowering self-advocacy skills through legal education.”.
When detailing its duties, they were outlined as: “The mission of central minnesota legal services is to advocate for access to the civil justice system for low income people by providing high quality legal services and to improve the lives of people living in poverty by empowering self-advocacy skills through legal education.”.
- The non-profit has complied with legal regulations by reporting their state of operation as MN.
- The filing shows that the non-profit's address as of 2020 is 111 NORTH 5TH STREET SUITE 402, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55403.
- The non-profit's form for the year 2020 reports a total of 40 employees on their payroll.
- Does not operate a hospital.
- Does not operate a school.
- Does not collect art.
- Does not provide credit counseling.
- Does not have foreign activities.
- Is not a donor-advised fund.
- Is not a private foundation.
- Expenses are greater than $1,000,000.
- Revenue is greater than $1,000,000.
- Revenue less expenses is -$126,492.
- The compensation of the CEO of the organization is subject to review and approval by an independent body.
- The organization has a written policy that describes how long it will retain documents.
- The organization has 17 independent voting members.
- The organization was formed in 1979.
- The organization has a written policy that addresses conflicts of interest.
- The organization is required to file Schedule B.
- The organization is required to file Schedule O.
- The organization pays $1,883,824 in salary, compensation, and benefits to its employees.
- The organization pays $0 in fundraising expenses.
- The organization provides Form 990 to its governing body.
- The organization has minutes of its meetings.
- The organization has a written whistleblower policy.
- The organization's financial statements were reviewed by an accountant.