The Justice & Diversity Center would like to spotlight a pro bono client: this month’s story centers around the nonprofit APA Family Support Services, which through the Community Organization Representation Project has been able to work with voluntary attorneys on a variety of legal matters.
APA Family Support Services started 35 years ago with Dr. Don Wong, a pediatrician at San Francisco General Hospital who had observed a trend in patients with domestic violence issues. Joining forces with a nurse and social worker, Dr. Wong began to tackle what they saw as the root of the problem, the financial stress of emigration to the United States.
Historically, the organization has centered its services on domestic violence and child abuse case management and prevention services. Its goal is to support the raising of healthy children. They provide parenting classes, case management, mental health counseling, youth programs, family success programs that teach individuals basic computer skills, and much more. The organization also now serves all communities in need, with staff that speaks seven different languages and dialects. Fanny Lam, Executive Director of the organization, explained that the organization is now focusing on strengthening family connections and advocacy work to teach individuals to voice their opinions, know their rights, and protect themselves in society.
APA Family Support Services first got connected to JDC’S Community Organization Representation Project through a google search in 2013. Over the years, CORP volunteer attorneys have been able to help APA Family Support Services with a variety of legal matters, including reviewing corporate governance documents, working on a workforce classification review, advising on PPP loans, and at various legal clinics. Most recently, CORP volunteers are helping the organization review a lease agreement.
One of the most recent volunteers was Richard N. Hill, from Littler Mendelson P.C. He first got involved with CORP and APA Family Support Services in 2021, as a supervising partner for a summer associate drafting an opinion letter. In the months that followed, he continued to stay in contact with APA Family Support Services, providing legal work and practical advice. In his experience, it’s not easy to be a practicing full-time attorney and make time for this kind of pro bono work. But he explained that “it’s rewarding and the right thing to do.”
As a nonprofit, the organization does not have the resources needed to afford an HR consultant or hire an outside legal team. Updating bylaws and org documents are crucial to fulfilling their goals. Lam explained, “if we want to grow strong and better, we need a solid, reliable, administrative foundation.” The expertise and legal knowledge, she continued, “helps to protect us as an agency, and educate our teams in learning the best practices to serve the community.”
If you are interested in working with a nonprofit to help them in their mission, email probono@sfbar.org to volunteer for JDC’s Community Organization Representation Project!
