Crime & Legal

"The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people."

Improving the administration of justice through research education and direct services.

Founded in 1990, the mission of the Homeless Action Center is to provide high-quality public benefits advocacy for free to unhoused and disabled residents of Alameda County. HAC’s vision is a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, everyone receives determined and rigorous pursuit of their legal rights, and basic needs such as housing and health care are recognized both as individual rights and community obligations.

Access Justice Brooklyn partners with compassionate pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality, civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the legal system. The organization’s approach prioritizes the most basic, essential elements and experiences of human life, including housing, family stability, and subsistence income. Its proven pro bono model—recruit, train, supervise, and support—also provides flexibility to address new legal issues as they emerge. Everyone, whether an attorney or not, has a role to play in expanding access to justice. Visit www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org or email [email protected] to volunteer, donate, or find other ways to get involved.

Love146 is an international human rights organization working to end child trafficking and exploitation through survivor care and prevention. The trafficking and exploitation of children is one of the darkest stories and most severe human rights abuses imaginable. But for us, the hope of ending it is a reality. Love146 is helping grow the movement to end child trafficking while providing effective, thoughtful solutions. We believe in the power of love and its ability to effect sustainable change.

TLM provides opportunities for personal and professional growth for justice-involved individuals through education and technology training.

The Children’s Trust is on a mission to end child abuse in Massachusetts. We give parents the tools and resources to build self-confidence and gain lifelong skills to ensure children grow up safe and healthy.

Because the quality of justice in America should not depend on how much money a person has, NLADA leads a broad network of advocates on the frontlines to advance justice and expand opportunity for all by promoting excellence in the delivery of legal services for people who cannot afford counsel. "As a country, we are living through a once-in-a-generation moment that presents us with a unique opportunity to reckon with our history and answer the resounding call for racial equity in America. There is no other national legal organization that touches on all the access points of racism and poverty and has the ability to tackle the root causes of deeply entrenched racial disparities. The Racial Equity Initiative will help our members in this fight." - April Frazier Camara, President & CEO NLADA

The Bail Project, Inc. is a non-profit organization designed to combat mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system ‒ one person at a time. We believe that paying bail for someone in need is an act of resistance against a system that criminalizes race and poverty and an act of solidarity with local communities and movements for decarceration. Over the next five years, The Bail Project will open dozens of sites in high-need jurisdictions with the goal of paying bail for tens of thousands of low-income Americans, all while collecting stories and data that prove money bail is not necessary to ensure people return to court. We won’t stop until meaningful change is achieved and the presumption of innocence is no longer for sale.

EBCLC follows a Social Indicators of Justice framework that seeks to address the underlying causes of poverty and economic and racial inequality in order to increase justice and improve opportunities in the areas of economic security, education, health and welfare, housing, and immigration.

The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth is a national nonprofit working for racial justice by leading the movement to abolish juvenile life without parole. The U.S. is the only country in the world that sentences children to life in prison; Black children are given JLWOP at a rate 10x per capita compared to white children. We envision a society that respects the dignity and human rights of children through a justice system that considers the child’s age and unique ability to change; provides youth with opportunities to return to community; and bans life without parole for people under age 18. We center the experience of those most directly impacted, through our Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network (ICAN), a first of its kind network of individuals who were sentenced to JLWOP and are now home. Together with ICAN, we support corporations to get involved in our movement through direct engagements, public education and proximity to people who have survived JLWOP.

The Minnesota Freedom Fund pays criminal bail and immigration bond for those who cannot afford to as we seek to end discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing.

Because change doesn’t just happen, it’s made. Through compassion, connection, and community, we empower individuals who have been incarcerated to embrace new possibilities and realize their true potential.

Creating Restorative Opportunities & Programs falls within the Workforce Development for Justice Involved People category: Organizations that provide training, employer development, career placement and permanent housing resources that help justice involved adults re-integrate into the community following their release from incarceration.

The Chicago Community Bond Fund (CCBF) pays bond for people charged with crimes in Cook County, Illinois. Through a revolving fund, CCBF supports individuals whose communities cannot afford to pay the bonds themselves and who have been impacted by structural violence. Inability to pay bond results in higher rates of conviction, longer sentences, loss of housing and jobs, separation of families, and lost custody of children. By paying bond, CCBF restores the presumption of innocence before trial and enables recipients to remain free while fighting their cases. CCBF also engages in public education about the role of bond in the criminal legal system and advocates for the abolition of money bond. CCBF is committed to long-term relationship building and organizing with people most directly impacted by criminalization and policing.

The Youth Law Center advocates to transform foster care and juvenile justice systems across the nation so every child and youth can thrive.

F5 Project falls under the Inmate Support category: Organizations that provide emotional support, friendship, advice and guidance or other types of support for inmates while they are incarcerated and/or which facilitate contact between inmates and family members.

Jovial Concepts is a non-profit organization created in 2009 as a resource for community and stewardship. Since its inception, Jovial Concepts has worked with local communities in Colorado to raise awareness towards issues of social, economic, and environmental conflict, created forums for their peaceful resolve, and collaborated with like-minded organizations to further the effectiveness of current sustainability actions.

We amplify the voice of children and youth in the legal system to improve individual outcomes and inspire system wide advances. Our vision is a child-centered legal system that protects children, contributes to their well-being, and promotes family preservation.

THE MISSION OF CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS OF TEXAS IS TO RESTORE THE LIVES OF ABUSED CHILDREN BY SUPPORTING CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND AGENCIES INVESTIGATING AND PROSECUTING CHILD ABUSE.

VERA IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT PARTNERS WITH IMPACTED COMMUNITIES AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS FOR CHANGE. WITH OFFICES IN FOUR MAJOR CITIES, AND A TEAM OF HUNDREDS OF ADVOCATES, RESEARCHERS, AND POLICY EXPERTS, WE WORK TO TRANSFORM THE CRIMINAL LEGAL AND IMMIGRATION SYSTEM SO THAT MONEY DOESN'T DETERMINE FREEDOM; FEW PEOPLE ARE INCARCERATED; AND EVERYONE BEHIND BARS IS TREATED WITH DIGNITY.

THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY IS A PRIVATE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION, THE OLDEST AND LARGEST IN THE NATION, DEDICATED SINCE 1876 TO PROVIDING QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO LOW-INCOME NEW YORKERS. (MISSION CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)IT IS DEDICATED TO ONE SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL BELIEF: THAT NO NEW YORKER SHOULD BE DENIED ACCESS TO JUSTICE BECAUSE OF POVERTY. DURING THE YEAR, THE SOCIETY HANDLED MORE THAN 195,359 INDIVIDUAL CASES AND MATTERS AND PROVIDED A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF LEGAL SERVICES IN THREE AREAS: THE CIVIL, CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE RIGHTS PRACTICES. UNLIKE THE SOCIETY'S CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE RIGHTS PRACTICES, WHICH ARE LEGALLY MANDATED AND SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE CIVIL PRACTICE RELIES HEAVILY ON PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS.

Our mission is to ensure that young people affected by the criminal justice system are afforded every opportunity to reclaim lives of dignity, self-fulfillment, and engagement in their communities. Youth Represent was created from a recognition that young people need comprehensive representation to address their diverse and unique legal issues. What began as a single attorney working from a borrowed desk is now a citywide organization that provides free legal services to more than one thousand youth annually.

The Innocence Center is an organization that exonerates wrongfully convicted individuals, educates the public on wrongful convictions, and empowers exonerated people. By supporting The Innocence Center, you can help bring attention to the issue of wrongful convictions and support our efforts to free innocent people. Your support can make a difference in helping prevent future injustices and ensure that the criminal legal system operates fairly and justly.

To reduce poverty and injustice by providing high quality services that nurture positive child and youth development, stable families across the life cycle, and thriving communities.

Freedom Fund Network Inc falls under the Prison Alternatives category: Organizations that provide intensive treatment and rehabilitation services for adult or juvenile offenders. The focus of the service is on rehabilitation of the offender rather than preparation for release into the community.

JUSTICE RESOURCE INSTITUTE IS A LEADER IN SOCIAL JUSTICE, WITH OVER 100 DIVERSE PROGRAMS MEETING THE NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE, DELIVERING TARGETED SERVICES THAT SUPPORT THE DIGNITY OF EACH PERSON.

TO SUPPORT, THROUGH A FULL SPECTRUM OF SERVICES, THE EFFORTS OF PEOPLE WITH ARREST AND CONVICTION RECORDS TO BECOME EMPLOYED, LAW-ABIDING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND AS A RESULT, REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

Connecting people in prison to employment resources they need to succeed on the outside.

SEE SCHEDULE O.

MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK (MRNY) BUILDS THE POWER OF IMMIGRANT AND WORKING CLASS COMMUNITIES TO ACHIEVE DIGNITY AND JUSTICE.

SEE SCHEDULE O

AJSOCAL IS A SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION THAT PROTECTS AND STRENGTHENS THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER (AAPI) COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE MOST DISADVANTAGED.

TO PROVIDE AND PROMOTE FREE AND AFFORDABLE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE, ADVOCACY AND JUSTICE FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES IN NEW JERSEY.

TO PROVIDE QUALITY AND HUMANE CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY TREATMENT AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SERVICES TO CLIENTS WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO SAFER COMMUNITIES.

SOUTH JERSEY LEGAL SERVICES, INC. IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION CREATED TO PROVIDE QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN ATLANTIC, BURLINGTON, CAMDEN, CAPE MAY, CUMBERLAND, GLOUCESTER, MONMOUTH, OCEAN AND SALEM COUNTIES, AND TO EMPOWER LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS TO ACCESS THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM SO THEY WILL ACHIEVE THE GREATEST POSSIBLE MEASURE OF SUBSTANTIVE PROCEDURAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE.

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA)is a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote the dignity, self-suffiency, security, and stability of low-income residents of Texas. TRLA provides free civil legal aid to residents living in the 68 Southwest Texas counties and represents migrant and seasonal farm workers throughout Texas and six other southern states. TRLA also operates public defender programs that serve indigent individuals in 10 rural Texas counties and represent defendants charged under Operation Lone Star in several border counties. TRLA serves approximately 22,000 income-elibible clients per year. TRLA's civil legal services span more than 45 specialized practice areas and are organized around seven broad groups: Community Preservation & Empowerment, Economic & Social Justice, Domestic Violence & Family Law, Housing, Immigration, Labor & Employment, and Public Benefits. TRLA also operates several Special Projects to serve vulnerable communities with specific legal needs, in

TO FOSTER THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN THROUGH SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND DEVLOPMENT.

THE VILLAGE NETWORK IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, WELL BEING, AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH RESIDENTIAL, FOSTER CARE, DAY TREATMENT, OUTPATIENT, AND COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS LOCATED THROUGHOUT OHIO AND WEST VIRGINIA.

ELIMINATING CHILD ABUSE

NJP'S MISSION IS TO SECURE JUSTICE THROUGH HIGH QUALITY LEGAL ADVOCACY THAT PROMOTES THE LONG-TERM WELL-BEING OF LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. AS A STATEWIDE LAW FIRM WE PURSUE OUR MISSION THROUGH LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND EDUCATION TO EMPOWER CLIENTS AND COMBAT INJUSTICE IN ALL ITS FORMS.

Centro Legal De La Raza is a comprehensive legal services agency protecting and advancing the rights of low-income immigrant communities throguh culturally competent bilingual legal representation, education, and advocacy.

THE MISSION OF LEGAL AID BUREAU, INC., D.B.A. MARYLAND LEGAL AID, IS TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO MARYLAND'S POOR THROUGH A MIX OF SERVICES AND TO BRING ABOUT THE CHANGES THAT POOR PEOPLE WANT IN THE SYSTEMS THAT AFFECT THEM.

WISCONSIN COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY, PROVIDING INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO OVERCOME ADVERSITY.

PENNSYLVANIA LEGAL AID NETWORK, INC. IS A CLIENT-CENTERED ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES LEADERSHIP, FUNDING, AND SUPPORT TO IMPROVE THE AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF CIVIL LEGAL AID AND DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE AND VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN PENNSYLVANIA.

PARTNERING TO IMPROVE LIVES AND PROMOTE FAIRNESS WE ACHIEVED A 96% SUCCESS RATE HELPING THOSE IN LEGAL NEED, MOSTLY WOMEN WITH CHILDREN AND ABOUT 58% PERSONS OF COLOR, OVERCOME BARRIERS TO SAFETY AND STABILITY AND OBTAIN $4.8M IN BENEFITS.

ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION, STRATEGIC LITIGATION, VALUABLE LEGAL ADVICE, AND MEANINGFUL COLLABORATIONS, OUTREACH, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION.

TO ENSURE LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS HAVE ACCESS TO STABLE, EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO NONPROFIT LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS.