Building On Cobb’s Legal Voice: Our Pledge To The Community
Yashica Marshall Legal Services for District 4 believes that community involvement is not merely an ideal, but a way of life. That’s why as COBBUNITY LEGAL ADVOCATES we understand that real change begins in Cobb County with hands-on service to the residents, volunteers, and supporters here at home; and it shows in the programs we create and inspire-designed to educate, empower, and unite every voice in the District 4 community into a coalition of legal advocacy, reform, and transparency.
Grassroots Legal Aid: Outreach To District 4
Grassroots organizing is at the heart of our legal advocacy program. Yashica Marshall Legal Services sponsors monthly neighborhood events and listening tours across Cobb County District 4. These events-at a local community center, library, or faith-based venue-provide residents of our various communities with a safe environment to express their legal needs, process questions or concerns, and engage us in a dialogue to receive realistic legal help. We believe that each and every constituent-no matter their identity-is entitled to competent legal assistance. Our staff ensures each event is multi-lingual (where necessary) and customized to address relevant legal concerns facing a particular community.
The Pro Bono Clinics: Giving Legal Counsel, Where It’s Needed Most
Led by experienced staff attorneys and passionate volunteers, GCGM legal clinics provide pro bono consultations on property tax assessments, ordinances, and other government programs. We take the clinics into the community-instead of making clients travel to us-in an effort to remove barriers to justice and demonstrate commitment to access to justice. During 2023 alone, over 350 Cobb County residents were served through our clinics as families learned more about their rights and how to save unnecessary legal fees.
Legal Education: Empowering The Community By Sharing Knowledge
The path to empowerment begins with education. Lexing Georgia, LLC, which operates Yashica Marshall Legal Services, hosts a dynamic series of virtual and on-site, community legal education workshops. These meetings center around issues affecting District 4 residents’ daily lives, including property tax law, holding government entities accountable, and voters’ legal rights. Our quarterly voter legal information workshops have empowered hundreds with the legal tools to cast their ballots with confidence in local elections and policy initiatives. We also create guides in plain language and distribute them at our events and online to raise awareness that there is no such thing as foreign language or legalese.
Standing Up To Un-required Taxation: Legal Advocacy
Our engagement doesn’t end with education and advocacy-Yashica Marshall Legal Services is a strong, consistent presence at public hearings, town halls, and government gatherings. We build and lead community delegations through organized campaigns opposing illegal taxes like the stormwater fee and MSPLOST sales tax. Through coordinated issue campaigns, handouts, and open letters to local officials, we amplify residents’ voices and have turned the tide on policy debates in their favor. We communicate openly and transparently so supporters know exactly where we stand-and what they can do next.
Volunteer Outreach: Messengers Of Change
Volunteers are the backbone of our outreach programs. From leading legal literacy workshops and organizing voter registration drives to serving low income clients in the community, our volunteers gain practical experience in legal advocacy while having a direct impact on the communities we serve. We offer training sessions, opportunities to be mentored by seasoned advocates, and recognition for exemplary service. Our annual Volunteer Appreciation Day invites community members of all shapes and sizes to come together to celebrate our successes and forge strong bonds within the movement. From attorneys to cousin Al, who enjoys oral arguments over a good game of horseshoes, there is a role for you in our movement.
Community Reinvestment: Giving Back With Legal Service
The commitment from Yashica Marshall to reinvest her first year’s collection fees back into District 4 is a powerful reflection of our belief in the importance of localized reinvestment efforts. Through this reallocation, funds are made available to enhance legal school scholarships, sponsor youth empowerment initiatives, and provide grants to community-based legal campaigns. The contributions received in 2023 were allocated toward the creation of a “Know Your Rights” campaign via collaboration with the local school community. The initiative has reached over 1,000 students and their families. This invest-back model not only allows us to create an enormous wave of impact, but it also fosters trust and meaningful communication with supporters on what their contributions fuel.
Signature Events: The Community Comes Together
We host a slate of popular annual signature events designed to strengthen the community connection and provide information about important legal issues. We include, among others, highlights such as the annual Cobb Legal Rights Summit where residents, legal professionals, and civic leaders come together for panel discussions and hands-on workshops; Justice in the Park, an event that provides free legal help through question-and-answer consultations, offers youth activities for kids, and provides an opportunity for residents to interact with Yashica Marshall and her staff. These attorney-community gatherings create unity, promote legal awareness, and reflect Cobb’s theme of “One Cobb, One Legal Voice.”
Transparent Progress: Staying In Touch With The Community
Transparency is central to all that we do. Our supporters and clients see regular updates on our social channels (@yashica4district4 / Facebook+Instagram). We have monthly “town hall” type community meetings. Every quarter, we publish a comprehensive Legal Progress Report summarizing our latest advocacy wins, future plans, and a look at the financial books. In this way, keeping the lines of communication open, we encourage each supporter to take an active role in holding us accountable, giving us feedback, and helping to shape legal advocacy within District 4.
How To Get Involved: Join The Cobbunity
Every voice, action, and donation makes the legal future of Cobb County District 4 a stronger one. Here are ways to get involved:
- Volunteer: Share your talents at our legal clinics, community outreach submissions, and educational sessions. All skill sets are welcome!
- Donate: Monetary donations are a great way to show support – $1, $5, $25, $100, or any other amount helps sustain both legal services and outreach efforts.
- Stay connected: Sign up for our newsletter, follow us on social, and attend public information sessions.
- Share the cause: Inform others! You can help us spread the word about advocacy work and events with friends, family, and neighbors.
We would love to hear from you directly at [email protected]. You also can call (562) 262-2821 or visit our website at https://yashicamarshall4cobb.com/. Our office is at 6000 Pacific Coast Hwy Ste 74, Long Beach, CA 90803. Together our voices will make a meaningful and lasting legal impact.
The Future Of Legal Advocacy In Cobbville
Our work has only begun. With your continued support, Yashica Marshall Legal Services for District 4 will be able to continue bridging access to legal information, foster responsible governance, and advocate for the rights of every resident. Our dream is to ensure that every community in Cobb County is heard, respected, and engaged in the judicial process. Sign up today to be on the forefront of an initiative that is building a better, brighter tomorrow for our district…one community engagement at a time.