Some aspiring attorneys in their 20s are making a difference in Delaware County’s public defender’s office, meeting the needs of clients who often get lost in the criminal justice system, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.

These advocates from the nonprofit Partners For Justice have embedded themselves with the county’s public defenders since August 2022. 

Much of the work involves getting clients what they need to avoid getting back into the criminal justice system.

“So that looks like helping our clients get into housing or preventing eviction for someone, helping them get into a shelter,” said Evie Gentile, 23, one of five Partners For Justice client advocates.

Their work is having a big effect. 

They are reporting an overall service goal success rate of 76.8 percent, with high percentage success rates for goals on finding clients housing, employment, health care, including substance use and mental health treatment; family and children goals, financial goals, and just generally complying with the terms of the court.

“I actually don’t know how we existed without them before,” said Chris Welsh, director of the Delaware County Public Defender’s Office. “It’s hard to underestimate how much of an impact they’ve had for our clients and also for our attorneys.”

Find out more about how this program works at WHYY.