What started back in
1977 as a pilot program has provided members essential legal services
in 250,000 cases.
BY ALFREDO ALVARADO
Millions of working-class Americans without health insurance have
to hold their breath when they unexpectedly become sick, hoping
their illness will not wipe them out financially. Legal representation
can be just as expensive, and not having it can be equally disastrous.
Thanks to MELS
(Municipal Employees Legal Services), DC 37 members have
been able to breathe easy. For 25 years, members who need assistance
with consumer and credit problems, wills, landlord-tenant disputes
and matrimonial and family law problems have been entitled to the
quality legal services provided by MELS.
On Oct. 21, past and present staff members were on hand to celebrate
that 25-year record of distinguished service to members in more
than 250,000 legal cases.
Former Administrator Gerry Mann, Shelly Acabus, a professor at Columbia
University School of Social Work, who wrote the initial funding
proposal, and Julius Topol, MELS' founding administrator, were among
the honored guests. "I'm deeply grateful," said Mr. Topol
who left in 1982. "I've experienced again the excitement of
1977."
"He dreamed dreams that were impossible and made them come
true," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts of Mr.
Topol's tenure as administrator. Ms. Roberts sat on MELS' first
Board of Directors and was present to welcome the staff on Sept.
15, 1977, their first day of operation.
MELS was originally an outgrowth of DC 37's Personal Services Unit.
It started in 1974 as a pilot project with the help of a $250,000
grant from the Ford Foundation, which was obtained with the help
of the Columbia School of Social Work.
When it opened its doors as a broad-scale benefit in 1977, members
were charged $1 per paycheck ($26 annually).
Offering a comprehensive and innovative approach to providing legal
and social services, the MELS staff is made up of attorneys, social
workers, legal assistants and clerical workers. From its inception,
MELS' mission was to provide equal access to the justice system
for those unable to afford private legal representation.
Today the most common problems members bring to MELS are consumer
cases, followed by evictions and matrimonial cases.
"We plan to lead MELS into its next quarter century with the
same commitment we had in 1977 to providing high quality legal services
to the members of DC 37," said MELS Director and Chief Counsel
Joan L. Beranbaum. "We also hope to contribute to the greater
goal of winning equal justice for the working men and women of this
country."