Story Map Introduction

When a person is chronically hungry, it might not be obvious why they need legal help in addition to food. Arming someone with legal information, assistance, and representation when they are struggling to meet a basic human need can be one of the most powerful ways to disrupt the downward spiral and achieve meaningful stability. One of the key goals of the  Maryland Access to Justice Commission  (MD A2JC) is to ensure that Marylanders have the legal help they need to meet their basic human needs. 

• Legal help is critical to help people meet their basic human needs.  
• Many basic human needs have a legal component that necessitates entanglement with the civil justice system. 
• The civil justice system is complex and navigating it without legal help can lead to negative consequences. 
• There is not enough legal help for Marylanders who struggle to meet their basic human needs and get entangled with the civil justice system.
• The Maryland Access to Justice Commission seeks to increase understanding of the connection between receiving legal help and meeting basic human needs.

This interactive story map shows how basic human needs – like food, shelter, economic security and personal safety – are related to legal issues in the civil justice system.  Expanding access to legal advice and the civil justice system is an important part of ensuring that Marylanders are fed, housed, and safe.