Heartfelt Gratitude to Our Summer Volunteers!

I hope all of our Bay Area Legal Aid followers, supporters, and allies will join me and the BayLegal staff in saying an enthusiastic “thank you” to the 40 volunteers and interns who joined us this summer. This diverse, talented, committed group includes 28 law students, 10 undergraduates and 2 rising high school students (thanks to the Center for Youth Development Through Law Summer Legal Fellowship Program). The BayLegal Class of 2019 represents 19 cities across 6 states. Below are just a few highlights of the incredible impact they had this summer: appearing with clients in court and before administrative agencies, helping clients prepare declarations and complete forms, drafting briefs, gathering evidence and conducting research that will continue to help clients long after the summer is done.

Working together we made a difference! We thank them for their passion. We thank them for sharing their unique insights and experiences. We thank them for their hard work and commitment to social justice.

Though we hope that many will return to BayLegal to pursue their careers, we know that no matter where they go they will remain our partners in the work to end intergenerational poverty, to ensure access to safe affordable housing, to healthcare, to safety and financial independence. They carry with them the knowledge of the barriers of injustice that our clients face and the power of advocacy. This summer they helped improve the lives of our clients and fight for a more just society.

There is much more to be done and BayLegal will always be united in the fight for social justice with each member of our 2019 Summer Class of Volunteers and Interns—and with you, our allies and supporters.

Yours in partnership,
Genevieve Richardson, Executive Director