To learn more about the value of the District’s investment in the Initiative and its impact, go to: https://dcaccesstojustice.org/access-public-funding/ . D.C. Council contact information is available at www.dcaccesstojustice.org/council and below.

SAMPLE E-MAILS

From Legal Services Organization Leadership

Dear Chairman Mendelson and D.C. Councilmembers:

I am reaching out on behalf of [Organization Name] to express my deep concern about the proposed reduction to Access to Justice Initiative funding contained in the FY27 budget. Simply put, if this reduction remains in place tens of thousands of District residents will lose access to legal help that is proven to produce positive impact for individuals and the community. This is a short-sighted and damaging decision that undermines our goal for a stronger community. I urge you to make restoring Access to Justice Initiative funding to FY26 funding levels of $31.785M one of your top FY27 Council-wide budget priorities.

Let me tell you how this reduction will impact our clients. [Insert specific examples of your organization’s work that could be impacted – #clients you would not be able to serve with a % reduction; # of staff you would have to lay off; programs you’d have to close or downsize. Also include personal stories that add a human touch to the importance of this funding. Data about increasing need would also be helpful.]

As the budget process continues, you will hear more from us about the impact of the Access to Justice Initiative and why it is one of the District’s best public investments. For example, [it would be helpful to provide specifics here related to your work; e.g., without legal representation in eviction cases, homeless numbers will increase, placing greater burdens on city shelters. Make the argument that cutting legal services is short-sighted, will simply create new costs in other areas.]

For now, we again urge you to name the Access to Justice Initiative as one of the Council’s top FY27 priorities.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Organization]

From Community Organization Partner

Dear Chairman Mendelson and D.C. Councilmembers:

I am reaching out on behalf of [Organization Name] to urge you to make the reversal of the proposed reduction to Access to Justice Initiative funding one of your top FY27 priorities.

We rely on Access to Justice Initiative funded programs to serve our clients. Legal needs are one of our highest referral needs, and every day our staff reach out to these legal organizations to help our clients. I don’t know what we will do if the program is reduced at this level.

Let me give you an example: [Insert specific examples of how your organization’s clients rely on legal help or the partnerships you have with legal organizations to do community education, etc.; include personal stories that add a human touch to the importance of this funding. Data about increasing need would also be helpful.]

We again urge you to name the Access to Justice Initiative as one of the Council’s top FY27 priorities and restore funding to FY26 level of $31.785M.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Organization]

From Client

Don’t Know Your Ward? Find out at https://planning.dc.gov/whatsmyward

Dear Chairman Mendelson and D.C. Councilmembers:

I am a resident of D.C. and live in Ward [insert #]. I don’t know where I would be in my life without the services offered through the Access to Justice Initiative. I am asking you to please reverse the cuts proposed in the FY27 budget and restore funding.  

The legal process is very confusing and complicated. For me, it felt impossible to navigate without the help of a lawyer. [Insert specific example. For example, “I was at risk of losing my housing. But with a lawyer’s help, I was able to work something out with my landlord to stay housed.” or “My family was dealing with domestic violence and I was so worried about my safety and the safety of my children. My lawyer helped me get a protection order that I believe saved our lives.”]

As a D.C. resident and one of your constituents, please include the Access to Justice Initiative as one of the Council’s top FY27 priorities and restore funding to FY26 level of $31.785M.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Organization]

From D.C. Resident

Don’t Know Your Ward? Find out at https://planning.dc.gov/whatsmyward

Dear Councilmember [INSERT YOUR CM NAME]:

I am a resident of D.C. and live in Ward [insert #]. As a D.C. resident, I was alarmed to learn that the FY27 proposed budget would vastly limit access to legal help. I am proud of the Council’s long-standing commitment to ensuring civil justice for low-income District residents and fully support the Council doing what it can to reverse the cut to this program and restore FY26 funding. Please make it one of your top budget priorities.

Let’s show everyone that our D.C. values mean supporting those who have the most to lose – their homes, families, health, and economic stability. I hope that you will restore funding so that this program can continue to meet the needs of our District neighbors.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Address]

From Pro Bono Attorney or Law Firm Pro Bono Leadership

Dear Chairman Mendelson and D.C. Councilmembers:

I am reaching out to ask you to make restoring funding for the Access to Justice Initiative to the FY26 level of $31.785M one of your top priorities.

As a lawyer who lives and works in DC, I want to help my neighbors and so I volunteer with [insert legal services organization]. It is a way I can use my legal background to help people who otherwise probably wouldn’t have access to a lawyer. I would not be able to volunteer without the support of the legal services lawyers. The work they do to connect me with a client, train me on the law, and mentor me as I have questions throughout the case is essential. I’m worried that if these drastic cuts to legal services stay in place, they won’t be able to help and that will diminish my ability to take represent low-income D.C. residents through pro bono.

I thank the D.C. Council for its longstanding support of the Access to Justice Initiative and hope that you will make restoring the program to FY26 level of $31.785M one of your top priorities.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Address]

Council E-Mail information available at https://dcaccesstojustice.org/council/

Group E-Mail

TO: pmendelson@dccouncil.gov; abonds@dccouncil.gov; rwhite@dccouncil.gov; chenderson@dccouncil.gov; bnadeau@dccouncil.gov; bpinto@dccouncil.gov; mfrumin@dccouncil.gov; jlewisgeorge@dccouncil.gov; zparker@dccouncil.gov; callen@dccouncil.gov; wfelder@dccouncil.gov; dcrawford@dccouncil.gov

SAMPLE X OR SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES – GENERAL

Potential tag lines: #dcciviljustice #ATJfunding #theInitiativeworks
Consider tagging: DC Council (@councilofdc); Councilmembers (see below); Commission (@DCATJComm); DC Bar Foundation (@DCBarFoundation)

Sample Tweets (remember 280 character limit – or do a thread)

Please prioritize Access to Justice Initiative funding @chmnmendelson @anitabondsdc @robertwhite_dc @CMCHenderson @CMnadeauOffice @CMBrookePinto @CMFrumin @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @CMZParker5 @CMcharlesallen @CMWendellFelder @cmdonicrawford @dccouncilbudget

Access to legal services is essential. More DC residents have access to #legalhelp through the #access2justice Initiative. @councilofdc – please support #dcciviljustice cc: @dcbarfoundation

The ATJ Initiative sets DC apart committing to #access2justice @chmnmendelson @anitabondsdc @robertwhite_dc @CMCHenderson @CMnadeauOffice @CMBrookePinto @CMFrumin @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @CMZParker5 @CMcharlesallen @CMWendellFelder @cmdonicrawford @dccouncilbudget

Group X Message: @chmnmendelson @anitabondsdc @CM_McDuffie @robertwhite_dc @CMCHenderson @CMnadeauOffice @CMBrookePinto @CMFrumin @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @CMZParker5 @CMcharlesallen @CMWendellFelder @cmdonicrawford @dccouncilbudget

Group BlueSky Message: @chmnmendelson.bsky.social @anitabondsdc.bsky.social @robertwhitedc.bsky.social @cmchenderson.bsky.social @brianneknadeau.bsky.social @cmfrumin.bsky.social @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social cmzparker5.bsky.social @cmcharlesallen.bsky.social