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Mission and Goals

 

We believe that all people deserve the equal rights, including the right to live with dignity and respect, the right to be active members in American society, and the right to have basic human needs fulfilled. Yet these fundamental rights are elusive for many poor people living with HIV/AIDS.

HALSA is one of the nation’s leading HIV legal service providers supporting low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS.  Through legal representation, advocacy and community education, HALSA protects rights, ensures dignity and improves health.  

 

HALSA is the primary provider of legal services for the estimated 100,000 people living with HIV in Southern California.  We offer free counseling and legal assistance to low-income individuals who cannot afford an attorney.  HALSA is considered the national model for its expertise in the fields of discrimination, privacy, immigration, employment, housing, public benefits, and tax issues. We build capacity for HIV law as a support center for legal education and technical assistance to attorneys, law firms and public interest organizations.  We also establish best practices through community education to AIDS service organizations, government agencies, and low-income health clinics.

Our free legal services save lives, remove barriers of employment, increase access to health care, improve well-being, and support independent living.  HALSA is a pioneer in the emerging field of public health legal services, which recognizes the impact of effective legal services in improving health outcomes.  Last year, we represented, assisted or educated almost 2000 clients at no charge—75% were people of color and 21% were women.  On average, clients who received free services had a monthly income of just $713.  

HALSA uses a combination of five staff attorneys, law student interns, a cadre of over 200 pro bono attorneys, and a panel of more than 10 private law firms to provide legal services and direct representation.  We provide services in English, Spanish and in American Sign Language.

HALSA’s legal and advocacy work ultimately benefits all people, for it helps to fashion a society that is truly diverse, tolerant and informed. Our mission to combat discrimination based on HIV status has become an intrinsic part of the struggle for civil rights.