WORCESTER—Community Legal Aid, a nonprofit that provides free legal services to thousands of low-income and elderly residents across Central and Western Massachusetts, just got $30,000 in new funding from two regional foundations, officials announced.
The funding — $20,000 from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts and $10,000 from the Berkshire-Taconic Community Foundations — originated from anonymous donors seeking to support the organization’s work amid ongoing federal and state funding cuts, according to an announcement.
Unlike many grants tied to specific programs, the funds are unrestricted, allowing the organization to direct resources where they are most needed, including services in Worcester and across the region.
Community Legal Aid serves more than 9,000 residents annually, providing legal assistance in areas such as housing, access to public benefits, domestic violence protection, and employment issues.
Executive Director Jonathan Mannina said the funding helps sustain services for vulnerable populations.
“I want to thank these anonymous donors, as well as the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts and the Berkshire-Taconic Community Foundations for these incredibly generous grants,” Mannina said in the announcement. “Thanks to their support, our advocates in North Central Mass. and Berkshire County will continue their creative and dynamic work defending the rights of people with disabilities, low-income tenants, elders, survivors of domestic violence, veterans, victims of discrimination, low-wage workers, and many others.”
The organization, which maintains an office in Worcester, also works to help residents secure stable housing, obtain unemployment and disability benefits, and navigate barriers related to education and reentry after incarceration.
