NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (February 17, 2017) – The Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund awarded $179,600 in grants to 12 law-related organizations and programs in Orange County. The programs provide critically needed services to a broad range of clients including victims of domestic violence, legal services for low-income residents of Orange County and foster youth, diversity pipe-line efforts and assistance for homeless residents.
Selected by the OCBA Charitable Fund Board, the grants were presented at the OCBA Charitable Fund Grant Giving Reception held on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at OCBA Headquarters in Newport Beach, Calif. Ms. Ashleigh Aitken, OCBA Charitable Fund Immediate Past President, presented the grants on behalf of the Charitable Fund.
"People in Orange County face an array of legal concerns every day, and these organizations are often at the forefront of providing legal support and services," said Aitken. "We’re proud to partner with them and together we can facilitate access to justice for all.”
The OCBA Charitable Fund extends its appreciation to donors, sponsors, and volunteers who graciously supported the OCBA Charitable Fund in 2016. The following grants will serve to support the mission of the Charitable Fund to enhance the system of justice in Orange County and promote access to equal justice for all.
CALIFORNIA YOUTH CONNECTION Creating Leaders From Within Grand Awarded: $2,000 Provides a transformative experience for current and former foster youth through its dual goals of empowering youth and improving foster care. See calyouthconn.org.
CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY DALE E. FOWLER SCHOOL OF LAW Bette and Wylie Aitken Family Protection Clinic Grant Awarded: $12,000 Provides free legal representation, legal advice, and proper workshops to indigent and low-income people and survivors of family violence, sexual assault, and trafficking. See chapman.edu/law/legal-clinics/family-protection.aspx.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION OF ORANGE COUNTY Constitutional Futures Project Grant Awarded: $45,000 Provides civic and law-related educational programs to all high school students in Orange County including Mock Trial, Peer Court, Constitution Day, Law Day, and the Orange County Career Forum. See crfoc.org.
HUMAN OPTIONS Legal Advocacy Program Grant Awarded: $10,000 Provides victims of domestic violence and late life family violence with education on legal rights, court accompaniment and support, direct assistance, and resources. See humanoptions.org/services.
LAURA’S HOUSE Legal Advocacy Program Grant Awarded: $10,000 Provides victims of domestic violence with a broad range of services and support to assist them in understanding and securing their legal rights so they can lead safe, productive, and violence-free lives. See laurashouse.org/legal-services.
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY Legal Intake for OC’s Homeless Residents Grant Awarded: $30,000 Seeks to resolve problems and remove barriers to ameliorate homelessness in Orange County through the provision of vital legal and wrap-around services in the Civic Center Area of Santa Ana. See legal-aid.com.
ORANGE COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION Project SELF Grant Awarded: $3,600 Provides low-income and at-risk high school students with hands-on internships in the legal field. See ocbarfoundation.org/program/project-self.
ORANGE COUNTY KOREAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION Pro Bono Legal Clinics Grant Awarded: $4,000 Supports and further enhances pro bono efforts to the Korean American community in Orange County. See oc-kaba.org/pro-bono.
PUBLIC LAW CENTER Courthouse Clinics Grant Awarded: $30,000 Provides courthouse-based clinics for low-income residents conducted by Public Law Center, Orange County’s pro bono law firm committed to providing access to justice. See publiclawcenter.org/services/clinics.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE SCHOOL OF LAW Pre-Law Outreach Grant Awarded: $10,000 Assists undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds to prepare for the law school application and admissions process, and to understand the unique demands of legal education. See law.uci.edu/about/public-service/public-interest/community-programs/pop.
VETERANS LEGAL INSTITUTE Pro Bono Veterans Clinics Grant Awarded: $18,000 Provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless, at risk, disabled, and low-income veterans and service members. Seeks to eradicate barriers to housing, education, employment, and healthcare and to foster self-sufficiency. See vetslegal.com/legal-services.html.
WOMEN’S TRANSITIONAL LIVING CENTER Legal Advocacy Services Grant Awarded: $5,000 Provides shelter, supportive services, and community education and advocacy to domestic violence victims in Orange County. See wtlc.org/immigration-services.html.
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About the Orange County Bar Association Established in 1901, the Orange County Bar Association, with over 8,000 members, is one of the largest voluntary bars in California. The mission of the Orange County Bar Association is to enhance the system of justice, to support the lawyers who serve it and to assist the community served by it.
About the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund Founded in 1995 as the charitable giving and fundraising arm of the Orange County Bar Association, the OCBA Charitable Fund provides resources to organizations and programs in order to enhance the system of justice and promote equal justice for all. www.ocbacf.org
Contact Jane Kim, (949) 440-6700, ext. 123 jkim@ocbar.org
To view event photos, visit the OCBA Facebook Page.