The Justice & Diversity Center 2023 Impact Report

The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) advances fairness and equality by providing pro bono legal services to low-income people and educational programs that foster diversity in the legal profession.

A Welcome From Our Executive Director and Board President

In 2023, we were inspired by the growth and impact of our programs in the 46th year of the Justice & Diversity Center (formerly known as the Volunteer Legal Services Program) and our efforts in serving the San Francisco Bay Area community. Our generous supporters have helped us provide extensive services in four broad program areas: Pro Bono Legal Services, the Homeless Advocacy Project, the Immigrant Legal Defense Program, and Diversity Pipeline Educational Programs.

We saw a growth in demand and participation in our services, such as in our Legal Advice and Referral Clinics (LARC), which provide free legal advice monthly in the Civic Center, Mission, and Bayview. We saw 220% growth, with over 1000 consultations with some of the most vulnerable in our community, who were empowered with the information they need to help solve their pressing legal issues.

Our organization’s commitment to legal representation for all San Francisco Bay Area community members is unwavering. People like Ms. R, a nurse who fled violence in El Salvador with her young daughter, received support and full-scope representation and secured asylum. Or Mr. S, who procured essential documents, vital SSI payments, and services to stay in his home thanks to the Homeless Advocacy Project.

In 2023, we were honored with generous gifts from legal luminary Richard Zitrin and the Arthur & Charlotte Zitrin Foundation and game-changing philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving. Richard has long supported the Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship Program (MLSSP) as a donor and scholar mentor, and his $1.2 million endowment is designed to help the program continue in perpetuity.

In addition, JDC was selected by leading national philanthropic disrupter MacKenzie Scott to receive a $1.4 million grant in recognition of JDC’s track record and impactful work. This is especially important as Ms. Scott’s organization, Yield Giving, follows a “quiet research” approach of reviewing nonprofit organizations without notice and making gifts based on their independent research. To be selected by Yield Giving, among literally thousands of nonprofits, for such a leadership gift, without having applied or even been in contact with them, is amazing recognition of the importance of JDC’s contributions to our community. Yet, even amidst this generous gift, the ongoing support of our community remains crucial. Your continued partnership is essential in augmenting these generous gifts, enabling us to ensure the sustainability of these gifts and expand our transformative initiatives.

We invite you to see how your support is changing lives by reading more below about the programs you support, the innovative solutions driving that impact, and the clients who benefit from your advocacy. While we celebrate our achievements, we're also acutely aware of the increasing need for our services and the challenges that lie ahead. We have accomplished a lot, but there is so much more we can do, with your support. It's clear to us that achieving our mission is not a journey we can embark on alone. We thank everyone who has supported us and invite those who are ready to be a part of our mission to come join us. We ask you to make a gift to the JDC and encourage your friends and family members to support our work.

Looking towards the future, we are enthusiastic about the measurable impact we will make together.

Yolanda Jackson

Executive Director and General Counsel,
BASF & JDC

Teresa Johnson

President, BASF & JDC Board

The Justice & Diversity Center's Programs

We reach these goals through four programs that empower and advocate for thousands of people a year in San Francisco. Meet our Program Directors below.

Homeless
Advocacy Project

Teresa Friend

Director, Managing Attorney

Immigrant Legal
Defense Program

Milli Atkinson

Director

Pro Bono
Legal Services

Antonia More

Director, Managing Attorney

Diversity Pipeline Educational Programs

Kerry Guido

Director

Hero

The Homeless Advocacy Project

The Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) provides legal and supporting social services to individuals and families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, focusing on the most vulnerable individuals and families in our local community. We are partners with organizations and agencies across the city to ensure everyone we connect with receives the support they need.

Features

CARE Court

CARE Court was created by a new state law that allows family members, first responders and others to file petitions seeking services for persons who have schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. In October of 2023, San Francisco became one of the first counties in the state to implement CARE Court. HAP was awarded funding by the California State Bar to represent Respondents in CARE Court.

Content

HAP Immigration

HAP provides immigration services for immigrants experiencing or at risk of homelessness, such as applying for citizenship, visas, asylum, or adjustment of status, or renewing work permits.

Consultations

Work authorizations

Consultations

Work authorizations

Green card applications

Citizen applications

Green card applications

Citizen applications

Consultations

Work authorizations

Green card applications

Citizen applications

Below are numbers that were achieved in 2023.

Consultations

Work authorizations

Green card applications

Citizenship applications

Hero

A Journey of Advocacy and Assistance for Mr. X

Mr. X came to HAP only because he was seeking help to get a low-cost cell phone. The intake interview revealed that Mr. X was 72 years old, had no income, no benefits or services of any kind. Over the course of the next few months, the HAP Advocate helped Mr. X to obtain his birth certificate from New York, so that he could get an ID and apply for Social Security, Food Stamps, and Medicare. Mr. X received a retroactive Social Security payment and ongoing monthly benefits. The Advocate accompanied Mr. X to the DMV to get an ID, to the bank to open an account, got him a Senior Clipper card and Muni pass, and helped arrange for payment of his rent—they also got him a free phone!

Hero

Immigrant Legal Defense Program

The Immigrant Legal Defense Program (ILDP) increases access to justice and protects the due process rights of low-income and unrepresented immigrants facing deportation.

Hero

San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative

ILDP helps build legal capacity as the legal lead of The San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative (SFILDC), a collective of 16 San Francisco organizations that provide free, high-quality, culturally competent legal services to adults, children, and families in removal proceedings. This means Northern California agencies are better coordinated and equipped to defend individuals in deportation proceedings in the San Francisco Immigration Court.

Individuals provided full scope representation before Immigration Court

Applications were filed for Asylum related forms of relief

Different countries were represented

Success rate in completed cases

Individuals provided full scope representation before Immigration Court since 2015

Applications were filed for Asylum related forms of relief

Different countries were represented

Success rate in completed cases

Features

Attorney of the Day Program

Attorneys of the Day (AODs) are experienced immigration lawyers who appear at the San Francisco Immigration Court to assist unrepresented respondents in their initial deportation proceedings. The AOD Program has partnered with Salesforce, PG&E, and Canal Alliance to hold two asylum clinics in 2023. These clinics have proven critical to ensuring that asylum seekers receive adequate time to secure full scope legal representation and qualify for employment authorization – serving 39 total respondents, of whom three have secured asylum, two have obtained employment authorization, and six received AOD assistance in filing their work permit applications.

Hero

Hope Amid Adversity: Ms. R's Path to Asylum and Empowerment

Ms. R endured years of sexual violence and abuse growing up in El Salvador at the hands of a local gang member and later by her husband. Unwilling to put up with any more abuse, Ms. R fled to the United States to seek asylum.

Ms. R's life changed when she came into contact with an AOD Program Staff Attorney, Malvina De La Canal. De La Canal came across Ms. R, who appeared to be distressed, as she was struggling to obtain basic needs for herself and her child, let alone find an attorney to represent her. De La Canal agreed to represent her, met with her several times to prepare her declaration, helped her find a psychologist to evaluate her, and prepared her to provide testimony in support of her asylum claim. With the help of another attorney, De La Canal conducted a mock trial with Ms. R, practicing potential examination questions from the immigration judge and DHS so that she would know what to expect on the day of the hearing.

On January 31, 2023, Ms. R did a splendid job during her testimony, and the immigration judge granted Ms. R and her young daughter asylum. Ms. R is now undergoing divorce proceedings from her prior spouse, and is looking for a way to further pursue a degree in nursing, the same degree she successfully obtained in El Salvador. Ms. R’s positive and cheerful disposition has helped her carry on despite her traumatic past, and she has high hopes for her and her daughter in the United States, where anything is possible.

Hero

Pro Bono Legal Services

Each year, our staff and more than 2,000 volunteers assist 6,000 clients with legal consultation and representation in nearly every area of civil law.

In 2023, 1,156 volunteers donated 52,120 hours to support all of JDC's pro bono legal services programs. This represents about $43,448,012 in attorneys’ fees.

Hero

Community Organization Representation Project

Since 1996, the Community Organization Representation Project (CORP) has provided pro bono assistance to Northern California nonprofit organizations, and those seeking to acquire nonprofit status, that provide direct services to low-income and underserved people. We assist these organizations, which do not have sufficient funds to pay attorneys, in the following areas: employment law, corporate governance and structuring, commercial leases, reinstatement with IRS, risk management, intellectual property and business contract issues.

Diverse nonprofit clients with legal challenges were assisted

Features

Family Law Project

The Family Law Project (FLP) assists low-income individuals and families with family law and related probate matters including divorce, legal separation, nullity, parentage, domestic abuse, guardianship, and conservatorship cases. JDC collaborates with CROC, WOMAN Inc, and the Superior Court of San Francisco to form a continuum of trauma-informed care, from restraining order advocacy to personal safety planning to holistic legal representation.

Family law cases

Individuals provided self-help services

Domestic violence survivors assisted

No-contact orders issued

Family law cases

Individuals provided self-help services

Domestic violence survivors assisted

Custody cases won

Hero

Federal Pro Bono Project

The Federal Pro Bono Project (FPBP) provides information and advice to pro se civil litigants in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. This is done via Legal Help Centers in the San Francisco and Oakland federal courthouses. The Project also facilitates placement of civil cases with pro bono attorneys for limited or full scope representation when the court appoints counsel.

Clients received legal assistance

Hero

Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic

Our Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) assists low-income taxpayers who have tax issues with the IRS. This includes taxpayers in controversy with the IRS, individuals who have filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court, and individuals who need help in obtaining other relief for a tax obligation.

Our Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) assists low-income taxpayers who have tax issues with the IRS. This includes taxpayers in controversy with the IRS, individuals who have filed petitions with the U.S. Tax Court, and individuals who need help in obtaining other relief for a tax obligation.

New representation cases were handled

Consultations were provided

Individuals attended 7 clinics

Hours of service provided by 42 volunteers

New representation cases were handled

Consultations were provided

New representation cases were handled

Consultations were provided

Individuals attended 7 clinics

Hours of service provided by 42 volunteers

Individuals attended 7 clinics

Hero

Legal Victory and Cultural Advocacy in Family Law

The Justice & Diversity Center’s Family Law Project successfully helped a client facing a number of challenges, under the representation of volunteer attorney Omar Jabbour. Jane was experiencing a lack of financial resources: she had previously been employed by the family business which her now former spouse was claiming he owned entirely. In effect, this left her with no independent source of income. Being a recent immigrant only exacerbated the cultural, social, gender, and language-related barriers she was facing. This situation put Jane in a highly distressed state, and she was anxious about the case and the ability to regularly see her son.

At one point, the other party made allegations against her that threatened to restrict her access, and she was adamant that she continue to have access to her son. She was further concerned with making sure that the dissolution actually occurred because the other party was actively trying to convince her to drop the proceedings and return to the marriage.

The case ended in a successful obtaining of a judgment, with a division of property, and resolution of custody issues. Jane was extremely grateful for Jabbour’s representation and JDC’s assistance in her case.

Jabbour recalled working with his first client at JDC nearly 10 years ago and encouraged BASF members to similarly donate their time to the Pro Bono Legal Services. “It is such an incredibly rewarding experience. As someone working in the private sector, it’s incredibly rewarding to use my law degree to benefit folks who would not otherwise have access to legal services,” said Jabbour. “The entire team at JDC is just incredible. They offer training, guidance, and assistance. I never felt that I was alone or on an island. I learned so much and took great pride in being able to represent my client and never could’ve done it without them.”

Hero

Diversity Pipeline Educational Programs

Our educational programs help students succeed and explore their interest in a career in the law. From high school to law school, our programs break down barriers, build confidence, and show that the legal profession is for everyone.

Content

Diversity Pipeline Educational Programs

of School-to-College graduates are first-generation college students

of School-to-College participants graduated high school

Students participated in our School-to-College program

of graduates were accepted into college

of School-to-College graduates are first-generation college students

of School-to-College participants graduated high school

Students participated in our School-to-College program

of graduates were accepted into college

Hero

William Jeffries' Journey Through Law School and Advocacy (Continues)

William Jeffries, a recipient of the 2023 JDC’s Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship Program (MLSSP), is pursuing his degree at the University of San Francisco School of Law. In his application, Jeffries shared the pivotal experiences that fueled his aspiration for a legal career. He recounted his childhood struggle with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, which resulted in the loss of his vision at the age of 12, as a driving force behind his motivation. Viewing law as a means to aid others during challenging times and enact enduring change, William outlined three principles he intends to integrate into his legal practice: seeking understanding from diverse perspectives, communicating with empathy, and remaining adaptable.

Hero

William Jeffries' Journey Through Law School and Advocacy (Continued)

With these values in mind, William aims to utilize his leadership and professional skills upon graduating in 2026 to make a meaningful contribution to the legal profession. Reflecting on his Fall 2023 semester, William discussed the challenges he faced navigating the complicated and slow governmental systems to accommodate his visual impairment. Despite these hurdles, William found support and networking opportunities at USF and has joined several associations, including the Disability Rights Advocacy Law Student Association (DRALSA), the Business Law Association (BLA), and the Environmental Law Student Association (ELSA). Confident in his ability to learn and overcome after the challenges of his first semester, he is looking forward to continuing his studies and working with his peers at USF. This summer, his plan is to intern with the Legal Department of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

Hero

Alejandra Beristain's Path to Success with JDC's School-to-College Program (Continues)

At the 2023 JDC Gala, several inspiring speakers took to the stage and spoke eloquently about JDC’s work and the impact in the community and in their own lives. One such speaker was Alejandra Beristain, a remarkable student enrolled in the JDC School-to-College program. Born and raised in San Francisco, Alejandra’s upbringing was shaped by her single mother, a resilient woman from El Salvador who emphasized the importance of perseverance and education.

Supported by a strong female community, Alejandra is on the verge of graduating from The Academy @macateer High School. At the gala, she shared her heartfelt gratitude for the School-to-College program, which has been instrumental in guiding her through the daunting college preparation process. She spoke about her deep passion for physiology to better understand humans’ health and wellness and her hopes to incorporate that passion into future studies.

Hero

Alejandra Beristain's Path to Success with JDC's School-to-College Program (Continued)

Reflecting on her junior year, Alejandra spoke about the several college tours organized by the JDC School-to-College program. She went into detail about the nurturing environment of Skyline Community College to the overwhelming atmosphere of San Jose State, each experience offered valuable insights into her collegiate aspirations.

Alejandra also spoke about her experience working alongside the School-to-College coordinator, highlighting his unwavering support and encouragement. His assistance with scholarship essays and college applications proved invaluable, empowering Alejandra to embrace her intellectual potential and aspire for an ambitious future.

With graduation on the horizon, Alejandra is filled with excitement as she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her journey.

Hero

Honored to Receive Two Major Gifts

In 2023, the Justice & Diversity Center received two major gifts in recognition of past success and to spark greater giving to JDC's extensive and impactful programs. We are grateful for the support of local legal luminary Richard Zitrin and philanthropy disrupter MacKenzie Scott.

Features

A Friend, Mentor, and Advocate

Richard Zitrin's contributions extend beyond financial support. Hear what it meant to have Richard's personal support and advocacy from MLSSP Alumni.

“He took me under his wing providing meaningful mentorship and was always happy to connect me with his network. He is an endearing and caring person.”

- Gabrielle Parris-Ramfjord, Adjudications Officer, Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, MLSSP Alum

"Words cannot describe the impact Richard Zitrin has had on the legal profession, the Minority Law School Scholarship Program, and me - a Black man who grew up in generational poverty. From the very first day I met him, I knew he had my back far beyond a law school scholarship. In fact, he went to war for me when no one else would. He will go down in history as the epitome of service, the epitome of honor, and the epitome of legal brilliance. When he is no more, the spirit of Richard Zitrin, undoubtedly, will live on through me."

- Chris Ballard, Co-Executive Director, Coleman Advocates, MLSSP Alum

Features

Zitrin Honors Memory of Past Scholar

Students funded by the endowment will be known as "Shanna Bradford Scholars" (pictured left with Zitrin center in 2005), a tribute to a past recipient, who unfortunately passed away at a young age. Mr. Zitrin's $1.2 million endowment from the Arthur and Charlotte Zitrin Foundation will ensure the scholarships will be accessible for Bay Area law students in perpetuity.

Features

The Justice & Diversity Center received an email that seemed too good to be true. JDC was thrilled to learn that MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving was awarding a one-time $1.4 million gift.

Through their quiet research approach, Yield Giving evaluated JDC's work through a series of criteria, including its multi-year track record, high potential for sustained positive impact, evaluation standards, and leadership team.

Features

We Need Your Support

We are honored by all the gifts our donors in 2023 generously provided to the Justice & Diversity Center. We take pride in the recognition of the impact these gifts represent, and we know there is much more work to be done as there is an increase in demand for our services. Please join us this year with a gift to meet this growing need from some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Thank you for your support.

Thank You to Our 2023 Donors

Thank you to all our donors who supported the work of the Justice & Diversity Center in 2023.

You provided high-quality legal help for thousands of the most vulnerable in our community going through the most difficult challenges of their lives.

You helped keep people in their homes, supported people escaping persecution and violence to find asylum, solved complex legal issues that can derail lives, and created pathways for the next generation of legal professionals to thrive.

Your donations made this work possible. A special acknowledgement to our major donors listed below.

Thank you!

Simona Agnolucci • Merri Baldwin • Katherine Lubin Benson • Elizabeth Cabraser • David Carrillo •Andrew Chang • Nanci Clarence • Erin Connell • Mark Conrad • Kelly Dermody • Jamie Dupree • Terrance Evans • Jerome Falk Jr. • James Finberg • Sarah Flanagan • Matthew Gluck • Arturo Gonzalez • Stuart Gross • Joan Haratani • Thomas and Mary Ann Hays • Malcolm Heinicke • Teresa Johnson • Charles Jung • Edward Kallgren • Matthew Kahn • Christopher Kearney • Colin Kemp • Jeffrey Kosbie • Lindsay Llewellyn • Thomas McInerney • Mary McNamara • Warren Metlitzky • Lindsey Mignano • Constance Norton • Peggy Otum • Arthur Panella • Vidhya Prabhakaran • Mark Punzalan • Brooke Purcell • Christine Richardson • Arthur Rock • Russell Roeca • Jessica Ryland • Carole Scagnetti • Anthony Schoenberg • Michael Sears • Khari Tillery • Charles Thompson • David Tsai • Matthew Valdez • Colin West • Thomas Worth • Douglas Young • Richard Zitrin • Patricia Zulaica

If you’d like to make a gift, email JDC's Development Director Kate Applebaum at kapplebaum@sfbar.org or donate at the link below.

Donate Now

Annual Impact Report

The Justice & Diversity Center 2023 Impact Report

A Welcome From Our Executive Director and Board President

Yolanda Jackson

Teresa Johnson

The Justice & Diversity Center's Programs

Homeless Advocacy Project

Teresa Friend

Immigrant Legal Defense Program

Milli Atkinson

Pro Bono Legal Services

Antonia More

Diversity Pipeline Educational Programs

Kerry Guido

The Homeless Advocacy Project

Immigrant Legal Defense Program

Pro Bono Legal Services

Diversity Pipeline Educational Programs

Honored to Receive Two Major Gifts

Thank You to Our 2023 Donors

If you’d like to make a gift, email JDC's Development Director Kate Applebaum at kapplebaum@sfbar.org or donate at the link below.

Homeless
Advocacy Project

Immigrant Legal
Defense Program

Pro Bono
Legal Services