News
Equal Justice Works Receives Over $1 Million in American Red Cross Grants to Support Disaster Recovery in Florida and California
/ Press Release
Grants will mobilize lawyers and law students to assist low-income communities in navigating complex post-disaster legal challenges.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 17, 2026—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, has been awarded more than one million dollars from the American Red Cross to provide legal aid to communities impacted by hurricanes in Florida and wildfires in California through the Disaster Resilience Program.
The grants will deploy lawyers and law students to assist communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida and by the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires in Southern California.
Attorney Fellows will assist survivors with complex legal issues related to housing, federal benefits, employment, insurance, and disaster recovery programs while also helping communities build resilience for future disasters.
“Over the years we have worked together, we have seen time and time again how the guidance and expertise Equal Justice Works provides is essential to assist families as they continue their recovery,” said Carrie Norton, Senior Director of Long-Term Recovery at the American Red Cross. “We are proud to be partnering to support ongoing recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the LA Wildfires.”
“After a disaster, recovery is often determined not just by the damage a community experiences, but by whether survivors can successfully navigate complex legal systems to access the help they are entitled to,” said Linda Anderson Stanley, Senior Director of Programs at Equal Justice Works. “These grants allow us to mobilize attorneys and law students to help survivors overcome legal barriers, secure critical resources, and rebuild with greater stability. We are deeply grateful to the American Red Cross for its partnership in strengthening disaster resilience in communities across the country.”
“Over the years we have worked together, we have seen time and time again how the guidance and expertise Equal Justice Works provides is essential to assist families as they continue their recovery. We are proud to be partnering to support ongoing recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the LA Wildfires.”
Carrie Norton /
Senior Director of Long-Term Recovery at the American Red Cross
Southern California — 2025 Palisades and Eaton Wildfires
A Red Cross grant will mobilize four Disaster Resilience Fellows and four summer law students in the Los Angeles County area to provide legal aid to low-income communities impacted by the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires over a two-year period. The four summer Student Fellowships will allow law students to assist in the project and gain hands-on experience in disaster law.
The 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires rank among the most costly and destructive wildfires in recorded history. More than 18,000 structures were damaged or destroyed. Unemployment claims in the region rose sharply, with over 5,000 workers requesting federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Low-wage workers bore a disproportionate share of the economic toll.
“After a disaster, recovery is often determined not just by the damage a community experiences, but by whether survivors can successfully navigate complex legal systems to access the help they are entitled to. These grants allow us to mobilize attorneys and law students to help survivors overcome legal barriers, secure critical resources, and rebuild with greater stability. We are deeply grateful to the American Red Cross for its partnership in strengthening disaster resilience in communities across the country.”
Linda Anderson Stanley /
Senior Director of Programs at Equal Justice Works
Florida — Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Another Red Cross grant will mobilize two Disaster Resilience Fellows in Florida to support communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in September 2024, wreaking havoc throughout the Southeast. A month later, Hurricane Milton struck Florida and caused roughly $34.3 billion in losses. Thousands of survivors impacted by both storms are seeking assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support their recovery, creating an increased need for legal assistance with FEMA appeals among a range of other disaster-related legal needs.
They will build on the Disaster Resilience Program’s work in the state: Since fall 2023, three Fellows have reached 2,300 survivors through legal services and community outreach and have realized approximately $834,000 in economic benefits for those survivors.
Equal Justice Works has mobilized lawyers to support disaster-affected communities since 2005 and launched its award-winning Disaster Resilience Program in 2020.
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About Equal Justice Works
Equal Justice Works is the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law. Since 1986, the organization has been creating opportunities for law students and lawyers to increase access to justice and bring lasting change to underserved communities across the country. Equal Justice Works has mobilized more than 2,650 Fellows, of which more than 85 percent remain in public service. For more information, visit equaljusticeworks.org.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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