In about 10 weeks, Donald Trump will take the oath of office and again become the President of the United States. So many in our communities are feeling a sense of despair and resignation.  

Frankly, here in the District, national politics can be overwhelming. Our voices seem small in the scheme of things. But moments like this are a chance for us to focus on our immediate community by taking care of ourselves and our neighbors.  

That’s exactly what Legal Aid DC has done for 92 years.  

No matter who has been president, our attorneys have shown up to Court to stop tenants from being illegally evicted, help domestic violence survivors obtain protection orders, prevent creditors from engaging in abusive debt collection practices, and so on. Presidents have sometimes made things better or worse for our clients, but no one has altered the fundamental inequality in the courtroom between our clients and the powerful interests lined up against them. 

Legal Aid DC has grown in recent years to meet a broader set of needs. We launched an Immigration Project within our Family Law and Domestic Violence Unit in 2018.  But over the last year, we have grown that practice and have now created a standalone Immigration Law Unit—with four lawyers who have a combined 38 years of experience. We did this because 63% of immigrants face the legal system without a lawyer and having a lawyer makes a huge difference.

What I am thinking about today is what I can do — what are the small steps I can take — to improve the day-to-day lives of my neighbors. That’s particularly important here in the District, where we know we are under the federal microscope. 

If, like me, you are looking for a way to take some measure in the face of news that feels overwhelming, please consider donating to Legal Aid DC to help us make sure that as many of our neighbors in the District can get the help they need. Your contribution can change a life, and person-by-person, create a more just world.