2022 Grant Recipient
Richmond High School Law Academy
The mission of the Richmond High School Law Academy is to help students become public servants who can effectuate democratic and equitable change, and provide access to justice, in their school and community. Students take academy classes and participate in academy activities that prepare them for post-secondary education and for careers in law, government and law enforcement.
Law Academy curriculum is created through collaboration between teachers, administrators, parent and partners in industry, government and post-secondary institutions, and the community to assure student success in high school and beyond. Proceeds from the Bar Fund Benefit will support the Law Academy’s Mock Trial program, student internships and study trips.
2021 Grant Recipient
CASA of Contra Costa County
For 40 years CASA has provided highly trained volunteers to be the “voice for the child” in foster care dependency hearings. As a result, 100% of youth with a CASA volunteer graduate from high school or earn a GED, although only 70% of foster youth overall in Contra Costa County do. CASA also provides therapy to foster youth who are not eligible for MediCal-funded mental health services. Realizing that 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have had contact with the child welfare system, CASA is starting a program to provide services to these youth to help them comply with probation requirements and to ensure they complete their education.
2019 Grant Recipient
The Center for Youth Development through Law
The Center for Youth Development through Law provides transformative educational programs to youth from under-resourced East Bay communities, in cooperation with UC Berkeley School of Law. Your support empowers the CYDL to prepare them for higher education, fulfilling careers, community engagement and leadership.
2018 Grant Recipients
The Richard E. Arnason Court Scholarship
The Richard E. Arnason Court Scholarship Fund has served the Contra Costa community since its was established in 1995, providing financial support for education to residents with criminal convictions or juvenile adjudications. Judge Arnason believed in education and second chances, leaving that message with the many defendants appearing before him. Scholarships are awarded for the usual kinds of expenses like tuition and books, but also for items like computer equipment, supplies, specialized tools, labs, and transportation-related costs which are not funded by more traditional scholarships. Members of the scholarship board mentor the recipients through the year to help resolve problems and remove barriers to success. Judge Arnason died in 2015 at the age of 94, having served nearly 50 years on the Contra Costa bench. His legacy lives on in the educational opportunities supported by this scholarship fund. Funds generated through the Bar Fund Benefit have been dedicated to funding scholarships for ex-offenders residing in Contra Costa County.
Contra Costa County Public Law Library
The Contra Costa County Public Law Library has served the people of Contra Costa County since 1893. With a balanced, up-to-date collection of print and non-print materials, the law library assists members of the bar, bench and the general public. A typical library user might be an attorney utilizing the time in between court appearances to do legal research, or an unrepresented individual whose access to justice depends on the use of the county law library, or a recent law school grad (who is also potentially a future member of CCCBA) studying for the bar exam. Funding issues forced the closure of its east county branch last year, after over $100,000 worth of materials from the library’s collection were cut. Funds resulting from the CCCBA fundraiser was used to offset the cost of new computers and a new server. The law library’s computers are used for the completion of court forms as well as legal research on Westlaw and other legal information databases and websites.
2017 Grant Recipient
Social Justice Collaborative (SJC)
Social Justice Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing deportation defense and related criminal defense services to low-income non-citizens. SJC believes in promoting an inclusive society. Their mission is to protect and advance the rights of immigrants and their families through legal representation in immigration and criminal court. A group of passionate lawyers and advocates who believe that everyone has the right to be defended from deportation, they provide free and low-cost legal services to low-income individuals who cannot afford private counsel. SJC ensures that everyone can obtain fair representation and the opportunity for just outcomes in their legal matters.
2016 Grant Recipient
Community Violence Solutions, Human Trafficking Prevention and Education Program
Community Violence Solutions is one of the oldest rape crisis centers in California, and has been working to combat sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation since 1974. As the sole provider of 24-hour rape crisis hotline and support services to sexual assault survivors in Contra Costa and Marin counties, CVS provides 24-hour crisis response and support services to victims of all forms of human trafficking; home visiting and case management for families at risk of involvement with the child welfare system, and extensive prevention and education services in public schools, on college campuses, and in the community. CCCBA raised funds to assist Community Violence Solutions expand its Prevention and Education Program to add an evidence-based human trafficking prevention curriculum for middle and high school students and through CVS drop in centers.
2014 Grant Recipient
BayLegal’s CCC Homeless Youth Project
This project provides free civil legal advocacy to youth who must seek safe shelter on their own, outside of their families’ homes. Many of these youth have been abused physically, sexually and emotionally, and many have endured hunger, cold and chaos. By providing civil advocacy for these youth, and utilizing existing laws to build a youth-centered and transformational foster care system, BayLegal and its partners in the Homeless Youth Project aim to build a comprehensive safety net for youth and move towards the day when no youth begins adulthood in homelessness.
2013 Grant Recipient
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services (CCSLS)
Elders in Contra Costa County can find free legal help with problems that affect their quality of life through Contra Costa Senior Legal Services (CCSLS). CCSLS is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services to residents of Contra Costa County who are 60 years of age and over. CCSLS has been tirelessly assisting seniors for over 30 years by focusing on core issues such as housing, consumer finance and elder abuse.
2012 Grant Recipient
Contra Costa High School Law & Justice Academies
Law & Justice Academies are vital because they help students excel academically, prepare for college, and explore careers in the legal field. The academy model is based on meeting the needs of students who are at risk due to poor attendance, low test scores, or because they are economically disadvantaged. Students receive exposure to the legal profession and develop the skills and knowledge needed to embark on advanced professional and academic careers.
“Law & Justice Academies instill in students purpose for remaining in school and direction in a variety of law-related careers after graduation. All of our futures are brighter because of these collective efforts.”
–Dick Frankel, a member of the Deer Valley Law & Justice Academy Advisory Committee
2011 Grant Recipient
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Contra Costa
CASA of Contra Costa provides highly trained Court-approved volunteers to advocate for the needs of abused and neglected children. CASA advocates assist Courts in making timely and more informed decisions in the child’s best interests and act as sworn officials of the Court. Over the last 5 years CASA has served approximately 875 children who reside in Contra Costa County.
“CASA is one of the best programs we have for crime prevention. You can take a child who has been terribly abused, mistreated, neglected, or molested and teach that child to love, to trust, and to believe. What else is there in life?”
–Lois Haight, Presiding Contra Costa Juvenile Court Judge
2010 Grant Recipient
The Elder Law Center (ELC) of The Law Center (TLC).
The Elder Law Center assists Contra Costa County residents who are 65 years of age or older who are victims of elder financial abuse and who need pro bono representation.
“Here at the Law Center we are attempting to level the playing field for poor and low income residents through telephone coaching, referral and preventive education—to full blown representation.”
–The Law Center