A Welcome From Our Executive Director and Board President
Dear Friends,
Every day at the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC), we see how life can change in a single moment.
A mother faces eviction with nowhere for her children to go. A teenager stands alone in immigration court, fighting to stay in the only country they’ve ever known. A family living on the margins is one paycheck or one legal notice away from crisis.
And too often, they are expected to navigate these moments on their own.
That’s why your support matters.
In 2024, with your partnership, JDC provided free legal help to thousands of people in San Francisco. People who would otherwise be forced to face eviction, deportation, and injustice without an advocate by their side. Together, we prevented homelessness, secured immigration protections, reunited families, and expanded pathways for young people from underserved communities to pursue college and explore careers in law.
The truth is clear. The need is growing. The risks are greater than ever.
Across California and the country, we are witnessing an erosion of legal protections for low-income and immigrant communities. Fear is rising. Rights are under attack. Too many people are facing legal systems that are overwhelming and impossible to navigate without an attorney.
That’s where JDC comes in to fill the gap, and that’s where you can play a role.
Your support fuels this work. It allows us to show up for people when they need us most, with fierce legal advocacy and unwavering commitment to equity and dignity.
As we look to the rest of 2025, we are not backing down. We are doubling down: expanding services, training more volunteers, and standing with our clients in the courtroom and beyond. Justice cannot wait.
If you believe in this work—if you believe that everyone deserves a fair chance and a legal advocate in their corner to preserve fundamental human rights—please consider making a gift today.
Your support ensures that we can continue to meet this moment with the urgency, care, and expertise it demands.
Thank you for walking with us and for standing up for justice.
With deep appreciation,
Yolanda Jackson
Executive Director and General Counsel,
BASF & JDC
Charles Jung
2025 Board President,
BASF & JDC
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
Katie Danielson
Director and Managing Attorney, Homeless Advocacy Project
Immigrant Legal
Defense Program
Milli Atkinson
Director, Immigrant Legal Defense Program
Pro Bono
Legal Services
Antonia More
Director and Managing Attorney, Pro Bono Legal Services Programs
Educational
Programs
Kerry Guido
Director of Educational Programs
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.
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.
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 2024, 550 volunteers donated 58,480 hours to support all of JDC's pro bono legal services programs. This represents about $53,099,840 in attorneys’ fees.
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.
