Restoring Justice
Block by Block
A Unified Approach to Community Transformation
Providing free legal advocacy for low-income residents while healing communities through customized guidance and support for returning citizens, at-risk youth, and justice-impacted families.
YOUTH AND FAMILY JUSTICE CLINIC
What We Provide
- Legal Representation (to eligible applicants)
- Legal Information, Guidance & Resource Navigation
- Pro Bono Attorney Referrals
Who We Serve
Texas residents with a civil matter who meet our financial-eligibility guidelines.
We prioritize cases involving legal issues affecting children, youth, parents, families, and individuals whose legal circumstances directly affect family stability.
Areas We May Be Able to Assist With
Divorce, Child Support, Custody, Parentage, SAPCRs, CPS, and related matters.
School-Related Matters, Youth Homelessness, and youth advocacy.
Eviction Defense, Landlord-Tenant Disputes, Living Conditions, etc.
Debt Collection, Credit Issues, Predatory Lending, and consumer protection.
Wage Disputes, Discriminatory Incidents, Unemployment benefits, etc.
Assistance with Medicaid, SNAP, SSI/SSDI, TANF, and other vital programs.
Simple Probate, Wills, Heirship Issues, and estate planning support.
Non-Parental Guardianship, Healthcare Benefits, Estate Planning, Incapacity Guardianship.
Expunction / Nondisclosures, Driver’s License (DL) issues, and Family Reconciliation.
Mobile Legal Clinics
Bringing justice closer to home. Through our Youth and Family Justice Clinic, Dallas Legal Aid hosts Mobile Legal Clinics throughout the community to help individuals and families access legal information, guidance, and services.
Dallas Public Library
Pleasant Grove Branch
Dallas, TX 75217
Get Directions
Need Legal Assistance?
Reserve a consultation or apply for legal services through Dallas Legal Aid. Reach out to our team to take the first step.
Contact Dallas Legal Aid
Leveraging the Redemption of Returning Citizens to Heal the Community
Delivering Life-Changing Seminars and Workshops for Returning Citizens, Youth at Risk of Incarceration, and Families Impacted by the Justice System.
Signature Seminars
"Fixing the Windows I Broke"
Returning Citizens who have dedicated their lives to healing the very communities they once harmed. Facilitators share stories of redemption, guide youth toward constructive paths, and work to protect families from violent crime.
"Squash the Beef"
A practical Conflict Resolution workshop for youth involved in gangs or violence, taught by qualified individuals who have walked the same path and successfully turned their lives around, and are trained and experienced in Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation.
"Protect This House"
Empowers returning citizens with violent pasts to leverage their experiences as cautionary guidance, mentoring at-risk youth to avoid making similar life choices.
Joint Seminars with Dallas Legal Aid
Uniting Legal Guidance and Community Engagement.
Know Your Rights
An Essential Legal Literacy Workshop for community members navigating the justice system.
Connecting Broken Families
Guidance for families of incarcerated loved ones, covering legal parental rights and ways to provide moral support during reentry.
WANT US TO COME TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND DELIVER A WORKSHOP?
FILL OUT A REQUEST FORM SO WE CAN TALK SPECIFICS!
Board of Directors
Community leaders bringing diverse professional experience, lived experience, and a shared commitment to justice, opportunity, and community transformation.
Victor Alvelais
Victor Alvelais is the Founder of National Second Chance Organization and
a nationally recognized violence intervention specialist whose work is rooted
in the belief that people can change and communities can heal.
As a young man, Victor made a life-altering decision that resulted in the
taking of another person's life and ultimately served 26 years in prison.
Today, as a returning citizen and community leader, he has dedicated his life
to violence prevention, community empowerment, and creating pathways for
others to choose a different future.
Victor has been recognized by the City of Dallas and Dallas Police Department
for his work helping reduce violent crime in some of Dallas's highest-risk
communities. He has helped establish and lead two violence intervention
initiatives, including Dallas CRED, established in 2022
through Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), and Interrupting Violence
through Empowerment (IVE), based at the Oak Cliff Empowerment Center,
which he co-founded and leads as Executive Director.
His work demonstrates the power of lived experience, accountability, and
community-based intervention to create real opportunities for a second chance.
Musab Abdali
Musab Abdali is Co-Executive Director of National Second Chance Organization
and the founder of Dallas Legal Aid, a project of National
Second Chance Organization and its Youth & Family Justice Clinic, which
provides free civil legal services to individuals and families in need.
Musab earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his
Juris Doctor from UNT Dallas College of Law. He previously served as an
Assistant Attorney General with the Texas Office of the Attorney General and
as a CPS Regional Attorney, where he represented the State in child welfare
proceedings.
His commitment to second chances extends beyond the courtroom. Musab has
worked with programs serving returning citizens and at-risk youth in
Houston's Fifth Ward and Dallas's Oak Cliff community. His work reflects a
commitment to expanding access to justice, strengthening families, and
creating meaningful pathways to opportunity for young people and returning
citizens.
Imaad Khan
Imaad Khan is a strategic communications professional, performance poet,
and TEDx speaker based in Plano, Texas. He began his career in refugee
resettlement before studying public policy at the University of Texas at
Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs.
Imaad has worked in statewide advocacy on health care and climate issues,
and his current work focuses on AI and strategic
communications. He has also performed for nonprofits and organizations
across the country, using storytelling and communication to connect
communities and advance meaningful causes.
M. Moawaz Hasan
M. Moawaz Hasan is a practicing attorney and humanitarian committed to
mentorship, youth development, and expanding opportunities for underserved
communities.
Moawaz earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston in
2019 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center in
2022, where he was a member of the Houston Law Review.
While in law school, Moawaz was actively involved in nonprofit youth
programs, with a particular passion for helping underserved young people
access academic resources. He has also supported programs that use sports
to develop leadership, teamwork, discipline, and confidence among youth.
Omar Haq
Omar Haq is a practicing attorney and humanitarian with a background in
legal research, international humanitarian work, and youth development.
He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his
Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center, where he served as
a staff editor for the Houston Law Review.
Before attending law school, Omar served as an independent researcher at
a Texas-based volunteer bar association and as an intern with a global
humanitarian relief and development organization in Pakistan.
He also served as national coordinator for a nonprofit youth organization
focused on helping young people channel their enthusiasm, passion, and
energy toward public service and human development.