Bet Tzedek Legal Services

As a recognized nonprofit force, Bet Tzedek provides free legal services, education and outreach, policy advocacy, and impact litigation. We are united in our mission to create equitable access to justice for all communities. Visit?https://bettzedek.org?to learn more.?

You will discover stories of Los Angeles' diverse communities at the Museum of Social Justice, located in the historic La Plaza United Methodist Church at the intersection of the Los Angeles Plaza and Olvera Street. It showcases the history of social movements through the lens of marginalized communities, exposing visitors to social justice principles and encouraging them to become advocates for meaningful change. Visit the Museum of Social Justice now through January to experience "Hope and Dignity: The Farmworker Movement," an exhibit dedicated to the contributions of farmworkers who play an essential role in our social, economic, and environmental systems. Bet Tzedek fights against the exploitation of low-wage workers across industries by employers, similar to the struggles faced by farmworkers featured in this exhibit. We are committed to advocating for workers' rights like these. Visit our employment rights clinic on our website to learn more. #ArtForJustice

Banksy is a pseudonym for one of the world’s most famous artists, whose real name and identity remain unconfirmed. But we don’t need to know who the artist is to recognize the powerful work he’s contributed to social justice. Since the 1990s, his satirical street art has combined dark humor and stenciled graffiti to deliver political and social commentary on streets around the world. During a highly attended Idles concert at the Glastonbury Festival, Banksy launched an inflatable life raft carrying dummy migrants across the crowd, echoing the band's song lyric themes of immigration and social critique. Though the band was unaware of the stunt at the time, it powerfully highlighted the struggles of migrant families. Inspired by Banksy's commitment to exposing these issues, Bet Tzedek remains committed to providing free legal support to immigrant families in Los Angeles. #ArtForJustice

Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day! Bet Tzedek recognizes that Los Angeles occupies land originally and still inhabited/cared for by the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh, and Chumash Peoples. Educating ourselves on the truths of Indigenous histories and the ongoing impact of colonization is necessary for supporting Indigenous communities. We acknowledge that many indigenous people are among the most affected by issues like systemic injustice, land displacement, and environmental degradation. By honoring their histories and acknowledging these challenges, we commit to advocating for justice, equity, and the preservation of Indigenous cultures. Today, let’s celebrate Indigenous Peoples by uplifting their stories, supporting their rights, and taking meaningful steps toward healing and solidarity. #IndigenousPeoplesDay

Isaac Psalm Escoto, AKA Sickid, is a street artist and painter best known for his large murals and billboards that reflect a gritty but playful side to living in Los Angeles. As a first-generation American born to Guatemalan and Mexican immigrant parents, Isaac merges cultures through his "billboard practice" — or graffiti art. Escoto's art points to problems faced by immigrant families in Los Angeles. This piece was part of a major raffle alongside works from other artists that helped support and protect youth who experienced police violence or encountered misuse of police authority. Bet Tzedek stands with artists like Sickid who use their art to give a voice to marginalized communities. #ArtForJustice

Kim Selfon, Bet Tzedek’s IHSS & Medi-Cal Policy Specialist, served as a consultant with the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of our clients and Bet Tzedek on a lawsuit alleging that Los Angeles County violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by denying voters with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in its voting programs, services, and activities by failing to use accessible polling places. Kim's input helped the DOJ reach a settlement with the County, pursuant to which County will be required to work with an independent accessibility expert for three years to ensure that polling locations are accessible or can be made accessible through temporary measures during voting periods. The expert will also provide semiannual reports to both the County and the Justice Department. Thank you, Kim, for your excellent work! This resolution is a significant achievement and demonstrates our commitment to advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities. The election is a little over three weeks away! Here are key rights for voters with disabilities.

Congratulations to Adi Schnaps, who is now the general counsel at "Happy Returns, a UPS Company." Throughout her career, Adi has been a Bet Tzedek donor and a stalwart volunteer. She has helped recruit volunteers to serve our clients, and has built relationships between Bet Tzedek and the companies she works for. Thank you for your dedication to our mission, Adi, and we congratulate you again!

At Bet Tzedek, we believe that volunteer attorneys can make a meaningful difference to those who need it most. In honor of Celebrate Pro Bono this October, we're highlighting one of our outstanding partners, Kirkland & Ellis, who exemplifies this commitment. In 2023 alone, their volunteers dedicated 635 hours to Bet Tzedek’s pro bono cases, including helping Maria secure guardianship of her brother and assisting Isaias with his citizenship application. Their work with us continues to make a profound impact on the lives of our clients. Follow along this month as we highlight more incredible contributions from our pro bono partners! #ProBono #ProBonoPartner #NationalProBonoWeek

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme, “It Is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,” calls on us to address the impact of workplace stress on our overall wellbeing. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 4 people will face mental illness in their lifetime, with 970 million affected globally, primarily by anxiety and depression. In 2022, 81% of workers reported workplace stress negatively impacted their mental health, up from 78% in 2021. We need to prioritize mental health at work to combat this rising trend. Research shows that fostering a healthy work environment, especially in high-stress fields like the legal industry, can enhance well-being, reduce burnout, and improve job satisfaction. Let’s commit to healthier, more supportive workplaces for everyone. If you or someone you know is struggling with severe mental health issues, there is help available. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "HELLO" to 741741, or call the 988 Mental Health Emergency Hotline. Check out NAMI for other resources. #WorldMentalHealthDay

A HUGE thank you to Matian Firm (Shawn Matian) for their generous $200,000 donation to Bet Tzedek’s immigration services. The donation will help Bet Tzedek address legal concerns for thousands of immigrant clients and families so that these Angelenos can thrive. Bet Tzedek also looks forward to working with the legal team at Matian Firm as pro bono partners in this effort. Watch the Univision Los Angeles clip of the check hand off event here: https://lnkd.in/gq8DKpNP Read the press release here: https://lnkd.in/g4aWaxzS