Wars Don't End On The Battlefield

The mission of Connecticut Veterans Legal Center is to help veterans recovering from homelessness and mental illness overcome legal barriers to housing, healthcare and income.

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CVLC stands in solidarity with all who are fighting for justice for Black lives and all those working to dismantle racist systems of oppression.

Whether it is supporting World War II veterans who fought against external fascism only to return to Jim Crow or service members who received unjust administrative discharges because of racial discrimination, we cannot achieve justice for veterans without achieving racial justice. CVLC’s focus on ensuring that all veterans can access healthcare, housing, and income is inextricably linked to undoing deeply entrenched, systemic racism.

As the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and other Black Americans by both civilians and the police show, the work for racial justice must continue. To address these issues, we should not be turning to the use of active duty and reserve military personnel – over forty percent of whom are people of color – to quell the protests taking place.

Together, we can make change. We are honored that fighting for justice is part of what we do every day and we urge you to support other local organizations dedicated to ending systemic racism like: Co-Creating Effective and Inclusive Organizations (CEIO), CT Core, Black Lives Matter New Haven and Connecticut Bail Fund.

The Ride for Our Vets: Virtually Together raised over $156,000 for our Veterans!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our virtual event! With 80 participants from 10 states, we've raised over $156,000 for Veterans struggling today. Participants can continue to fundraise and complete their goal through the month of June.

You can still donate to the cause by clicking below.

Donate today

Alert: COVID-19 Resources for Veterans

The health and safety of our veterans and our community members is CVLC's top priority. CVLC staff is working with public officials to provide immediate support for veterans facing homelessness amidst this national health crisis. Please click below for veteran resources for the novel coronavirus.

Click here for Veteran Resources

CVLC Releases Report on Gender Discrimination in Nominations to Military Service Academies

Working on behalf of CVLC, the Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale Law School examined the nominations of applicants to the U.S. military service academies, finding members of Congress nominate women to the military service academies at dramatically different rates. Favoring men at a rate of three-to-one, Congress members had a pronounced effect on the make up military leadership throughout the United States. (Updated July 26, 2019)

Read the Report

CT BAR ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHTS CVLC PRO BONO ATTORNEY

Attorney Howard Fetner, Day Pitney LLP, featured in CT Bar Association Spotlight for a discharge upgrade victory. Thank you Attorney Fetner for all your great work and thank you to all our volunteer attorneys who support CVLC.

See the Spotlight

CVLC Leads National Discharge Upgrade Project

CVLC is proud to announces a new partnership with Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School to significantly expand the field of veteran law. Together we are creating a comprehensive Discharge Upgrade Practice Manual for veteran advocates and an online, searchable Department of Defense decision interface. This national initiative is funded by the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

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Get Involved

CVLC is always looking for passionate volunteers to take cases, help with fundraising, and more! See how your volunteer work can make a difference in the lives of Connecticut's Veterans.

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THANK YOU, CVLC SUPPORTERS!

CT Veterans Legal Center is an independent nonprofit. Our work is made possible through the generosity of many corporations, foundations and individuals. For every dollar donated to CVLC, $15 in income, reduced debt, or health benefits is generated for a veteran.

Mark your calendars for Saluting Service 2020!

We hope you'll join us in celebrating veteran victories by joining us on November 12th, 2020.

Our Mission

The mission of Connecticut Veterans Legal Center is to help veterans recovering from homelessness and mental illness overcome legal barriers to housing, healthcare and income. Listen to Suzanne and Leonard tell their stories.

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legal help strengthens veterans in recovery.

Individual Veterans Served

Legal Issues Addressed

$4,117,500
In Time Donated by Volunteers

“It’s like having the USS Enterprise with a couple of battleships watching my back.

I know that CVLC has got me. I’m very grateful for that.”

Ralph Clyburn

Veteran, CVLC Client

Latest News and Events

CVLC Gets Major Boost from Grant Partnerships to Support Free Legal Services

By CVLC | July 28, 2020

To support life-changing free legal services for veterans, the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC) is proud to announce grant partnerships with the American Bar Endowment (ABE), the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF), the Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF), and the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. CVLC has received grants from The Bob Woodruff Foundation and the Fairfield County…

Attorney Fran Brady shares why he thinks attorneys should volunteer with CVLC

By CVLC | July 14, 2020

Each year, CVLC has hundreds of volunteer attorneys to thank for helping us provide nationally recognized, life-changing veteran advocacy. One person on that list is Francis “Fran” Brady, a retired attorney from Murtha Cullina, LLC. We spoke to Attorney Brady about his years of experience as a volunteer attorney with CVLC and what draws him…

A Continued Struggle for Equality: LGBTQ Service Members and Veterans

By CVLC | July 7, 2020

LGBTQ service members and veterans face unique struggles due to the long history of anti-LGBTQ discriminatory policy within the Armed Forces dating back to the Revolutionary War. We spoke to advocates for LGBTQ current service members and veterans about serving with pride. “A [less-than-Honorable discharge] is to the detriment of the service member or veteran…

CVLC welcomes new class of summer interns!

By CVLC | July 7, 2020

Amy Boggan Amy Boggan is a CVLC summer policy and research intern. Last year, she completed a B.A. in Philosophy at California Polytechnic State University and began studying at the University of Connecticut School of Law. During her undergraduate education, she had the privilege of advocating for elder and dependent adult victims of property crimes…

Veteran Victories: Thomas Hammons, Army Veteran

By CVLC | June 9, 2020

The week after September 11, 2001, Thomas Hammons signed up to join the Army at 22 years old. He immediately stood out as an outstanding soldier. He was praised in every performance review from 2002 through 2004, earning multiple medals. He moved up in the ranks and became a Pathfinder—specialists who navigate through foreign terrain…

Blue State Coffee donates 2% of their sales to local non-profit organizations. Each time a customer makes a purchase, he or she is given a token with which to vote for one of the 4 non-profits they are supporting at the cafe - one of which is now Connecticut Veterans Legal Center. The donation is allocated based on customer votes so the more votes for CVLC, the larger the donation!

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For every $1 you give, CVLC returns $15 to veterans in increased income and reduced debt.

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