California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.

In the U.S., federal laws protect individuals whose primary language is a language other than English. The protections are connected to having a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English, referred to as Limited English Proficiency or LEP. If you are a person with limited English proficiency, you have a right to an interpreter and other language services at places like courts, schools, hospitals, and government agencies. En los Estados Unidos, las leyes federales protegen a las personas cuya lengua principal no es el inglés. Estas protecciones están destinadas a quienes tienen una capacidad limitada para leer, escribir, hablar o entender el inglés, conocido como dominio limitado del inglés o “LEP”. Si tienes un dominio limitado del inglés, tienes derecho a un intérprete y a otros servicios lingüísticos en lugares como tribunales, escuelas, hospitales y organismos gubernamentales. #NJPLanguageRightsCampaign #LanguageJustice #LanguageAccess

CRLA is ready for this moment. For nearly 60 years, we’ve navigated administrations that have been partners in the war on poverty, administrations that have tried to shut us down, and administrations we’ve had to hold accountable. Through it all, CRLA is still here, still fighting to end poverty, still committed to California’s rural communities, and still making very real impacts that move our nation closer to justice for all. Our resilience as an organization reflects the incredible resilience of our clients and the communities we serve. Today we are more focused than ever on our mission to dismantle unjust systems through community lawyering. Community lawyering enables us to do more than merely edit the letter of the law. Instead, communities lead us to new ways to define justice, make decisions, and prioritize human well-being in a changing world. To read our full statement, visit the link in our bio.

Elections—not just presidential, but also state and local—have significant consequences for our clients, setting off ripple effects across rural California. As many of us navigate feelings of anxiety and uncertainty today, I remind myself of all the ways my California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. colleagues show up for our clients and our communities.   With our community lawyering and community-led model, we do more than merely edit the letter of the law. Instead, we generate new ways to define justice, make decisions, and prioritize human well-being in a changing world. This will continue regardless of the outcome today. No matter who is sworn in on January 20, CRLA will continue to show up for each other and for our clients.   CRLA exists to dismantle unjust systems that deny people agency, prevent mutually supportive relationships, and drive or keep people in poverty. We exist for these moments of uncertainty.   We will rise to the occasion and continue to co-create a just and equitable world where all communities prosper. #RuralRootsJusticeforAll #CommunityLed

As many communities honored their loved ones this past weekend, CRLA would like to take a moment to remember our cherished community members who we have lost this year. We are deeply grateful to have known and worked with these wonderful, kind individuals. Their contributions and impact live on within our communities and within the spirit of CRLA. They are deeply missed, and their memory will always remain with us. Rest in peace. 🕊️ During this season of remembrance, who are you keeping in your heart?

During National Pro Bono Week, we take a moment to recognize the dedication and impact of pro bono attorney and co-counsel Christopher Brancart and former volunteer and current Law Graduate Kaijun Chen who selflessly offered their time and expertise to those in need! Their unwavering commitment to justice ensures that individuals and communities, regardless of financial means, have access to legal representation. By advocating for the underserved, they uphold the core values of equity and fairness, playing a crucial role in strengthening our legal system. We commend their passion and hard work, making a lasting difference in the lives of many. #ProBonoWeek #ProBono

In honor of National Pro Bono Week, we'd like to recognize Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP for their outstanding pro bono contributions to CRLA. Their unwavering dedication and legal expertise have made a profound impact on our mission, allowing us to provide critical support to our client communities. Their commitment to justice and service exemplifies the power of collaboration and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing partnership and invaluable support! #ProBonoWeek #ProBono

In honor of National Pro Bono Week, we'd like to recognize Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP for their outstanding pro bono contributions to CRLA. Their unwavering dedication and legal expertise have made a profound impact on our mission, allowing us to provide critical support to our client communities. Their commitment to justice and service exemplifies the power of collaboration and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing partnership and invaluable support! #ProBonoWeek #ProBono

I love to see former California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. interns out in the world doing amazing things. 💫 Diana Avalos, MPA is out there making CRLA, Modesto, the Valley, ALL of us proud 💜

Meet Norma Ventura, CRLA's Indigenous Program Director. Norma worked as a community worker with CRLA’s Agricultural Worker Program before going to UCLA School of Law. Her passion for working with Indigenous communities can be seen in her years of service and rooted in her and her family’s personal experiences as Indigenous immigrant farmworkers from Oaxaca, Mexico. She is excited to see CRLA’s Indigenous Program grow and engage in far reaching advocacy to enforce and strengthen the rights Indigenous communities residing in the state of California.

Our offices are closed today for Indigenous Peoples' Day. We acknowledge that we operate on stolen land and we strive to honor the past, present, and future of the Indigenous peoples of California. Through our Indigenous Program and Language Justice Initiative, we fight alongside Indigenous Latin American communities in California as they advocate for equitable access to resources, a voice in legal decisions and institutions, and respect for Indigenous language and culture. Swipe ➡️ to learn more about CRLA's Indigenous Program and Language Justice Initiative. #IndigenousPeoplesDay