| Legal Advocacy |
In 2007, John Castellano marked his 10th year with Mercy Haven as the Attorney-in-Charge of the Legal
Advocacy Division of Mercy Advocacy Program (MAP). The Legal Advocacy Program was intended to be a
three year pilot project and opened its doors on October 27, 1997. John has not only been a positive
force in the lives of many of Mercy Haven’s program participants but he has also effected systemic
change in state and federal legislation. The program is now in its 11th year, and has opened a total of
1,760 cases. Amidst the challenges, he considers the years of his legal career spent here at Mercy
Haven to be a gift and a privilege.
“The practice of law for the poor on their civil legal emergencies is very dependent upon being situated in
a not-for-profit environment, since clients cannot pay for their legal services,” says Castellano.
Equipped with free and competent legal advice, Mercy Haven participants can navigate through the
bureaucracies to obtain subsistence benefits from Public Assistance and Social Security, health care
from Medicaid and Medicare, basic nutrition with Food Stamps, the prevention of homelessness, and
access to work incentive programs for the disabled to pursue gainful employment without the fear of
losing healthcare and subsistence benefits. On Long Island, there is no other agency that has a built-in
Legal Advocacy Program for their participants like Mercy Haven.
Despite the experience and capabilities of the Legal Advocacy Program staff, funding continues to play a
problematic role in the process. Additionally, as time passes, the need to assist the underserved of Long
Island grows even greater. Mercy Haven is always looking for support to develop and maintain this
integral component of serving Long Island’s most at-risk residents. It is clear that with the continued
generosity from private and corporate funding, the future of the Legal Advocacy Program is bright and will
continue to provide countless possibilities for both the participants of Mercy Haven as well as the many
others sorely in need of a voice.
Advocacy Division of Mercy Advocacy Program (MAP). The Legal Advocacy Program was intended to be a
three year pilot project and opened its doors on October 27, 1997. John has not only been a positive
force in the lives of many of Mercy Haven’s program participants but he has also effected systemic
change in state and federal legislation. The program is now in its 11th year, and has opened a total of
1,760 cases. Amidst the challenges, he considers the years of his legal career spent here at Mercy
Haven to be a gift and a privilege.
“The practice of law for the poor on their civil legal emergencies is very dependent upon being situated in
a not-for-profit environment, since clients cannot pay for their legal services,” says Castellano.
Equipped with free and competent legal advice, Mercy Haven participants can navigate through the
bureaucracies to obtain subsistence benefits from Public Assistance and Social Security, health care
from Medicaid and Medicare, basic nutrition with Food Stamps, the prevention of homelessness, and
access to work incentive programs for the disabled to pursue gainful employment without the fear of
losing healthcare and subsistence benefits. On Long Island, there is no other agency that has a built-in
Legal Advocacy Program for their participants like Mercy Haven.
Despite the experience and capabilities of the Legal Advocacy Program staff, funding continues to play a
problematic role in the process. Additionally, as time passes, the need to assist the underserved of Long
Island grows even greater. Mercy Haven is always looking for support to develop and maintain this
integral component of serving Long Island’s most at-risk residents. It is clear that with the continued
generosity from private and corporate funding, the future of the Legal Advocacy Program is bright and will
continue to provide countless possibilities for both the participants of Mercy Haven as well as the many
others sorely in need of a voice.
| Click here to listen to the WHPC broadcast featuring our Director of the Legal Advocacy Program - John Castellano Esq.! |
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| Mercy Haven's mission is to engage and support Long Island's most at-risk residents. Through advocacy, housing, supportive services, education and outreach we offer the community a place to experience and practice compassion. |
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| ...Where experience and creative solutions come together to open the door of possibility for those most in need |
| 859 Connetquot Avenue Suite 10 Islip Terrace, NY 11752 | 631 277-8300 P | 631 277-8394 F |
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