What started back in 1977 as a pilot program has provided members essential legal services in 250,000 cases.

BY ALFREDO ALVARADO

Millions of working-class Americans without health insurance have to hold their breath when they unexpectedly become sick, hoping their illness will not wipe them out financially. Legal representation can be just as expensive, and not having it can be equally disastrous.

Thanks to MELS (Municipal Employees Legal Services), DC 37 members have been able to breathe easy. For 25 years, members who need assistance with consumer and credit problems, wills, landlord-tenant disputes and matrimonial and family law problems have been entitled to the quality legal services provided by MELS.

On Oct. 21, past and present staff members were on hand to celebrate that 25-year record of distinguished service to members in more than 250,000 legal cases.

Former Administrator Gerry Mann, Shelly Acabus, a professor at Columbia University School of Social Work, who wrote the initial funding proposal, and Julius Topol, MELS' founding administrator, were among the honored guests. "I'm deeply grateful," said Mr. Topol who left in 1982. "I've experienced again the excitement of 1977."

"He dreamed dreams that were impossible and made them come true," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts of Mr. Topol's tenure as administrator. Ms. Roberts sat on MELS' first Board of Directors and was present to welcome the staff on Sept. 15, 1977, their first day of operation.

MELS was originally an outgrowth of DC 37's Personal Services Unit. It started in 1974 as a pilot project with the help of a $250,000 grant from the Ford Foundation, which was obtained with the help of the Columbia School of Social Work.

When it opened its doors as a broad-scale benefit in 1977, members were charged $1 per paycheck ($26 annually).

Offering a comprehensive and innovative approach to providing legal and social services, the MELS staff is made up of attorneys, social workers, legal assistants and clerical workers. From its inception, MELS' mission was to provide equal access to the justice system for those unable to afford private legal representation.

Today the most common problems members bring to MELS are consumer cases, followed by evictions and matrimonial cases.

"We plan to lead MELS into its next quarter century with the same commitment we had in 1977 to providing high quality legal services to the members of DC 37," said MELS Director and Chief Counsel Joan L. Beranbaum. "We also hope to contribute to the greater goal of winning equal justice for the working men and women of this country."