Community Legal Aid

AmeriCorps Legal Access Navigators

Building a More Inclusive Legal Profession & Bridging the Justice Gap

The AmeriCorps Legal Access Program was created by Alpha Legal Foundation in partnership with Volunteer Maine and AmeriCorps to train and deploy dedicated non lawyers to serve as Legal Access Navigators—community-based advocates who provide legal education, forms assistance, and referrals to social support resources in routine civil legal matters.

Every year, 3 in 4 Mainers face civil legal challenges without access to an attorney.

For many, navigating the legal system remains overwhelming, and the consequences of being uninformed can be life-altering.

Without legal support, individuals risk losing their homes, employment, healthcare, and other basic necessities.

Our Approach

AmeriCorps Legal Access Navigators are trained, non lawyers who help Mainers in routine civil matters. The Navigators complete over 100 initial training hours and engage in ongoing training during their year of service.

With their knowledge, Navigators help Mainers understand what the law protects, how to complete court forms, and even where to stand during court hearings. And, when the courts aren’t the appropriate solution, our Navigators refer Mainers to social support services for additional resources.

This approach engages dedicated, trained volunteers to provide community-based civil legal aid while cultivating a pipeline of diverse future legal professionals who will shape a more equitable justice system, and supporting judicial efficiency.

Make a Donation

APPLY TO AMERICORPS

Service Activities

AmeriCorps Legal Access Navigators serve in full-time or part-time positions, offering legal education, forms assistance, and resource referrals. You will find them in district courts, in community spaces, and in civil legal aid organizations.

Navigators are not lawyers and cannot offer legal advice. Instead, they play a critical role in ensuring self-represented individuals can understand and navigate the legal system and are connected to appropriate resources.

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Capacity Building

Members add capacity to existing civil legal aid organizations – both in and out of court. This frees up attorneys to do what they do best – provide legal advice and advocate on behalf of clients in limited representation matters.

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Legal Education Workshops

Members provide direct education and
outreach to the community in
partnership with trusted community-
based organizations.

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Resource Referrals

Members develop in-state and out-of-
state civil legal aid and social support
referral resources to facilitate access to
justice in Maine and in other states.

Building a More Vibrant Legal Profession

Many aspiring legal professionals, particularly first-generation students, people of color, and individuals from low-income backgrounds—face systemic barriers to entering law school and advancing in their careers.

Pipeline programs like ours help close this gap by providing hands-on legal experience, mentorship, and career pathways that support a more inclusive legal ecosystem.

The AmeriCorps Legal Access Program does more than address legal inequities—it actively works to create early entry points for aspiring lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds.

Benefits of serving as an AmeriCorps Legal Access Navigator include:

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Legal Training

Members engage in over 100 hours of training from licensed attorneys and community advocates, gaining practical experience that strengthens law school applications and prepares them for public interest careers.

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Mentoring

Members are mentored by attorneys and organizational leaders during their year of service. Additionally, members regularly work alongside experienced attorneys, legal aid professionals, and community advocates.

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Financial Support

Members who successfully complete their service are eligble to receive an education award which can be applied to graduate school tuition, student loans, or additional training.

Make a Donation

APPLY TO AMERICORPS