ABSTRACT
This article discusses District Council 37’s legal–social work benefit:its origins, philosophy, development, issues, and impact. We discuss the effect that a collaborative model (union, lawyers, and social workers) has on service delivery, service focus, service outcome, and social policy. The center of interest is the significance and power of the labor affiliation. We present case examples illustrating how these services have benefited the union membership. We also point out some of the challenges posed and some of the unique programs generated by this collaboration under labor auspices. Collectively, a creative synergy emerged. Finally, we review practice implications for this setting.
