♥ Valentine Run ♥

Thank you to everyone that registered, volunteered, sponsored, or just came out and cheered everyone on! We had a blast, no rain, and a very successful Valentine Run. Pictures will be posted soon. We are looking forward to the 10th Annual Valentine Run next year! Race Results

Cy Pres Awards

LSNC welcomes cy pres awards. Cy pres (meaning next best use in Latin) awards allow unclaimed settlement funds from class-action suits to be distributed to organizations that are most likely to benefit or pursue the interests of the class.

Because it benefits those most likely to be unrepresented or underrepresented in the justice system, Legal Services of Northern California is an appropriate recipient of cy pres funds. In addition, the work of LSNC benefits the broader society by ensuring that the justice system itself remains fair and equitable.

Cy pres awards will fund direct services to LSNC’s low-income individuals and families who face urgent civil legal problems. These problems affect basic needs such as food, shelter, employment, healthcare, and family safety.

LSNC helps families put food on the table; keep a roof over their heads; and find access to affordable health care. The organization has a multi-dimensional service delivery system which employs the efficiencies of telephone hotlines, self-help advocacy through counseling, clinics, pro se materials, and community legal education, in addition to direct representation both in court and at administrative hearings. LSNC engages in creative collaborations with other legal services programs, community organizations, and government agencies, including court-based in pro per assistance.
Please keep us in mind when directing a cy pres award. For further information, please contact our Development office, at (916) 551-2135, or development@lsnc.net.

Race Equity Project (REP)

The Race Equity Project is a program wide project that addresses the racial inequities in education, housing, court access, health care and other institutions that our clients of color are experiencing. The REP focuses on revealing “invisible” forms of racism: structural and institutional racism and unconscious bias. Learn more

Legal Aid in Rural California

Access to legal services is one of the most important and often overlooked ways in which rural areas lag behind the rest of the nation. The California Commission on Access to Justice released the report, Improving Civil Justice in Rural California. Herb Whitaker, Managing Attorney of the LSNC Auburn Office, was the Committee Co-chair; Gary Smith, LSNC Executive Director, was also among the 19-member Rural Advisory Committee members that researched and prepared this report for the California State Bar.

Sleep Out Sacramento (SOS) – Text to donate!

It’s very cold outside and the temperatures overnight are near freezing. We may have a warm, comfortable home for the winter months ahead, but the people that are unfortunate enough to be homeless are struggling to keep warm. Legal Services of Northern California, Francis House Center and Cottage Housing, are collaborating for Sleep Out Sacramento (SOS), a fundraiser to help our three agencies serve the homeless population in our own unique ways. We slept out in support on November 12th, but you can still text “SOS” to 41518 to donate $5 (more than once, if you’d like). More information can be found on the SOS Flyer, or go to www.cottagehousing.org/sos.

The Campaign for Justice

Every day, Californians are denied access to the basic rights entitled to them under the law simply because they cannot afford a lawyer. Equal justice doesn’t just make some of the difference. It makes all of the difference — the difference between staying in a home and living on the street; between a safe family and a life of fear and violence; and, between getting paid earned wages and having nothing to eat. Access to a legal aid lawyer often means access to healthcare, safety, food and shelter. The Campaign for Justice is raising funds to ensure that all Californians have access to justice under the law. Learn more

Help Needed at the Tommy Clinkenbeard Clinic

The Tommy Clinkenbeard Legal Clinic is held at Loaves & Fishes. It provides free legal assistance to homeless clients on a variety of matters. The clinic is completely run by volunteers – attorney and non-attorney. The clinic is facing a desperate shortage of volunteers to continue operations. If you have any time to volunteer, the clinic is searching for a weekly four hour commitment. If this is something you are interested in, please email Amy Williams at awilliams@lsnc.net.

2010 Annual Report

Legal Services of Northern California has recently published our 2010 Annual Report. It includes a message from our Board President, Kevin R. Johnson, and LSNC Executive Director, Gary F. Smith. It also includes financial information, and descriptions of our work in the areas of Senior Advocacy, Public Benefits, Housing, and more. Please take a moment to check it out!

Resolving Pension Puzzles

The Western States Pension Assistance Project (WSPAP) is a project of Legal Services of Northern California and the California Senior Legal Hotline. WSPAP has helped clients recover more than $3.7 million in retirement benefits since opening its doors in 2007. Read more about WSPAP, and other newsletter stories.

Congratulations to our Executive Director!

LSNC’s Executive Director, Gary F Smith, has been selected as the 2010 recipient of the Loren Miller Legal Services Award from the State Bar of California. The Loren Miller Award is given annually to a lawyer who has demonstrated long-term commitment to legal services and who has personally done significant work in extending legal services to the poor. Everyone at LSNC is very proud of Gary. Read more about Gary and this well deserved award.

LSNC PSA

Please take a moment to view our newest public service announcement (PSA) produced by Joey Gonzalez at the Art Institute in Sacramento.