You saw firsthand at the breakfast why CLA’s work matters.
NOW, let’s make justice
possible for EVERYONE.
YOUR GENEROSITY puts JUSTICE within reach
YOU can be the Difference — Starting Now
Your giving helps ensure that justice is within reach for everyone in our community.
Choose the giving option that works best for you:
Multi-Year Commitment — Invest in long-term change. Multi-year pledges are essential to CLA’s stability, growth, and ability to serve more families in need.
Monthly Giving — Become a sustaining donor and provide ongoing support for CLA’s low- and middle-income clients year-round.
One-Time Gift — Make an immediate impact by supporting our mission today.
Every contribution strengthens our community and helps even the playing field of justice for low income and middle class families.
If you are interested in making a multiyear pledge please reach out directly to rachael@charlestonlegalaccess.org
Tyler’s story...
When Tyler lost his fiancée Esmeralda during childbirth, his world changed in an instant.
Suddenly, a single father to both their newborn daughter and the 7-year-old son they had together prior, Tyler faced not only profound grief, but also an unexpected legal barrier. Because Esmeralda passed before their baby girl could be named on a birth certificate, their daughter had no legal identity: no birth certificate, no Social Security number, and no access to healthcare coverage. Even though paternity was confirmed through testing and Tyler was the sole caregiver for both children, state agencies refused to issue documentation without the mother’s sworn testimony.
Tyler was doing everything right. He worked full-time, cared for his children with help from family, and took every step asked of him. But he couldn’t navigate the legal roadblock. After months of reaching out to law firms that either couldn’t take his case or charged more than he could afford, he finally found hope. He found Charleston Legal Access (CLA).
CLA took immediate action, providing full legal representation to file for a determination of paternity and to secure the birth certificate that his daughter urgently needed. Thanks to CLA, Tyler’s daughter now has the identity, rights, and protections that will allow her father to take care of all her needs. Charleston Legal Access stood up for Tyler’s right to be recognized as a father and for his daughter’s right to a secure and brighter future.
Tyler’s story reflects what too
many of our neighbors go through…
Millions of Americans face civil legal issues, including evictions, custody battles, debt collection, and immigration proceedings, without a lawyer by their side.
South Carolina has one of the highest rates of unrepresented people in civil cases—around 70% must navigate the court system alone.
This justice gap doesn’t just impact low-income families. Middle-class families, who often earn too much to qualify for legal aid but cannot afford the high cost of private attorneys, are left without meaningful access to justice.