Mecklenburg County has established a website for local updates on COVID-19.
Update March 16, 2020:
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic across our community and the nation. We are following guidelines that protect the health and well-being of our staff and their families, our partners, and the people we serve while maintaining our role as a champion for those in need and a resource for the community during this historic time.
Our staff will largely be working remotely from home until further notice. We have encouraged our staff to limit in-person meetings to only necessity and instead meet with clients and community partners through telephone or video conferencing. While we currently are not able to take walk-in clients, our community intake line is operating normally.
Anyone needing assistance should contact 704-376-1600 (English), 800-438-1254 (residents outside Mecklenburg County) or 800-247-1931 (Spanish) or contact the Advocacy Center staff member you are working with directly by phone or email.
Some court schedules have been adjusted. Please find more information here: Mecklenburg County Courthouse, Charlotte Immigration Court or contact the Advocacy Center staff member you are working with directly.
This pandemic is unprecedented and impacts each of us but affects vulnerable members of our community in particularly intense ways.
Our individual and policy advocacy work will continue to support those we serve in the coming days, weeks and months. You will see us continue to serve clients, albeit in different ways. And we will engage in local, state and federal policy measures that will support our most vulnerable community members who currently face financial insecurity and instability. We invite you to join us in this work and will share recommendations in the days to come. Please stay connected with us through this email platform and our social media (find links at the bottom of this message) for the most current information.
More than ever, we need to advocate for individuals and communities in a way that ensures safety, security and stability for everyone through access to healthcare, secure housing, paid sick leave, adequate unemployment insurance and support for all of the basic needs impacted by the justice system.
Please take care of yourselves and each other.
Update March 13, 2020:
All Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy offices are currently open, but we discourage in-person contact with us unless absolutely necessary.
Applicants for our services and existing clients are encouraged to communicate with us by phone: 704-376-1600, 1-800-438-1254 or 800-247-1931 (Linea de Español). Existing clients should expect to hear from us by phone, mail, email or text message.
On March 13, North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cherie Beasley directed that local courts postpone most cases in district and superior court for at least 30 days. Read more here.
Please do not come to Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy if you have any symptoms – no matter how mild. Advocacy Center staff will not maintain any scheduled client meetings if we are experiencing symptoms. We will do our best to accommodate any client who needs our services and cannot travel to our offices.
Members of the public who are experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath and traveled to an area where COVID-19 is spreading, or have been near or touched someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, should call their health care provider.
Update March 12, 2020:
COVID-19, sometimes referred to as the coronavirus, is on everyone’s minds today, including ours. Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is closely monitoring the virus’ spread to North Carolina and Mecklenburg County.
Our priority is to ensure the safety of our clients, visitors and staff while continuing to serve our community. We are considering appropriate measures to limit exposure for both clients and staff.
Be sure to check this post and follow Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy on its social media platforms for the latest information regarding our operations during this outbreak.