The largest organization providing legal assistance in civil proceedings to poor and working class New Yorkers is jeopardy, as President Donald Trump wants to eliminate all its federal funding. NY1's Erin Clarke filed the following report.

Ten years ago, Walkiria Gonzalez was trying to leave her abusive husband. She had three children, was new to the country from the Dominican Republic, had no family here and did not speak English.

"I was trying to get out of my apartment, and I didn't know how to do it," she said. "I was afraid of my partner."

Gonzalez called the city's 311 information line and was directed to Legal Services NYC. The organization provided her a free lawyer, who helped her get a new apartment and a divorce. 

"We give people who ordinarily wouldn't have access to the justice system an oportunity to have that," said Jane Aoyama-Martin, project director of Bronx Legal Services.

Other organizations also provide legal help for civil matters, but Legal Services NYC is by far the largest. It aids 90,000 low-income New Yorkers a year in matters ranging from evictions to orders of protection.

It is the only organization in the city funded by the national Legal Services Corporation, which is entirely funded by the federal government. But President Donald Trump wants to end that funding.

"That would mean a loss of about $12 million for us. That's about 20 percent of our budget, and that translates into the loss of services," said Raun Rasmussen, executive director of Legal Services NYC. "That could mean the reduction of as many as 110 or 120 staff members."

Legal Services NYC uses most of its federeal funding to help people who are disabled, facing immigtration issues or are in abusive relationships. It also represents parents fighting to get their children in special education. 

Gonzalez says she has relied on its lawyers often, in recent years to become a citizen and get low-cost prescriptions for a serious illness. 

"How the poor people, how we going to find that service if they cut it? That's something I have on my mind," she said.

While it's doubtful Congress would agree to wipe out all of the group's funding, deep cuts are possible. Legal Services NYC is ramping up fundraising to cushion the blow of any reductions.

"The proposed budget is the president's proposed budget, but it's Congress that has to adopt the budget."

More information is available at legalservicesnyc.org.