In 2021, VIP marks forty years of community empowerment through our volunteer-based service model. Our volunteers expand access to justice and empower Philadelphians living in poverty to overcome legal threats to their well-being and thrive in their communities.
In our first forty years, thousands of VIP volunteers have accepted over 20,000 pro bono cases. Through their volunteer service, they have made an impact on the lives of over 40,000 Philadelphians.
In 1981, a group of service-minded lawyers founded Philadelphia VIP in response to a community crisis. When federal funding for legal aid dried up, Philadelphia attorneys mobilized to meet the ever-growing demand for free legal services through volunteerism.
Much has changed in our city and the world since 1981, but one thing remains constant: VIP continues its critical work of empowering Philadelphians living in poverty, small businesses and nonprofits seeking legal services, and volunteer attorneys seeking to help their community.
Please connect with us on LinkedIn, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook to stay in touch with us as we plan our celebration. We’ll also share fortieth anniversary news and stories from the vault periodically through our email list and on our blog, linked below.
Our anniversary year will culminate in a celebration of VIP’s work next spring. Please join us!