Dear Friends,
As we wrap up 2024, we want to thank everyone who made it possible for us to assist over 61,000 individuals this year. We continue to provide free legal aid to all Angelenos, and our policy advocacy at the local and state levels has made impacts that extend well beyond the City’s boundaries. While we brace for what lies ahead, we take a moment to celebrate all we have accomplished in the last year (see infographics below for a few highlights).
We will never lose sight of our responsibility to our clients and their families. Our cadre of generous donors, incredible volunteers, and passionate staff advocate for the rights of unhoused individuals, undocumented immigrants, LGBTQIA+ individuals, workers, tenants, seniors, Holocaust survivors, small business owners, and so many others day in and day out. We will continue to forge our own road towards a more just future. Indiscriminate compassion is the core of what we do — and our work wouldn’t be possible without you.
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| Fighting Back Against the “Nonprofit Killer” Bill
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H.R. 9495 has passed in the House and is advancing to the Senate. This dangerous bill gives the Treasury Secretary — and, by extension, the President — the ability to crush nonprofits by arbitrarily labeling them as "terrorism-supporting organizations." That means that news outlets, universities, and social justice groups that a sitting administration opposes could be dismantled without evidence or due process.
This is a massive threat to all nonprofits, including Bet Tzedek. While it’s not expected to pass in the Senate, we cannot be complacent. Some or all of the bill will almost certainly be reintroduced in 2025. This means we have work to do now. Here's how you can take action:
1. Thank the congressional representatives who flipped their votes from yes to no; there were six from California. Sharing your appreciation lets them know the nonprofit community is paying close attention and reaffirms why the legislation is so problematic. Legislators need to hear from us when they do the right thing too!
2. There were two California representatives who did not vote at all. They need to hear from all Californians, but especially if you live in their district. It should be made clear to them that not voting on such an important measure is unacceptable to nonprofits and the people we serve in their communities.
Julia Brownley - (202) 225-5811
Katie Porter - (202) 225-5611
3. See how your local representative voted on H.R. 9495 here and contact them to share either concerns or praise based on their vote.
4. Call California’s Senators now and tell them you reject H.R. 9495, and you urge them to do everything they can to oppose this legislation passing in the Senate.
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Bet Tzedek Board Member Terry Friedman Honored with Distinguished Service Award
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Earlier last month, Bet Tzedek President and CEO Diego Cartagena attended the Judicial Council of California's Distinguished Service Awards ceremony where Bet Tzedek former Executive Director Terry Friedman (Ret.) was recognized for his tireless efforts to expand access to justice as a Bet Tzedek Board member, a bench officer, an executive director, and a legislator. We are grateful to have him serving on our Board!
You can check out the video chronicling Terry's accomplishments below.
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L.A. Times: Bet Tzedek Attorney Highlights Risks of Ending Deferred Action for Workers
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Our Employment Rights Project (ERP) attorney Yvonne Medrano was featured in this Los Angeles Times article about the Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement program, and how the incoming administration is widely expected to do away with the program (though officials in the new administration are not expected to rescind work permits that have already been granted).
From the article: "Attorney Yvonne Medrano of Los Angeles-based Bet Tzedek Legal Services, a nonprofit legal advocacy group, said the loss of the program would not only affect workers but also would create an uneven playing field for employers that follow the rules since it will become difficult to punish bad actors that are flouting minimum wage laws and other regulations."
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Leaving a Legacy and Elder Abuse Prevention Teams Recognized by the L.A. County Aging & Disabilities Department
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Our amazing Bet Tzedek colleagues from our Leaving a Legacy team, Anna Darr and Dominique Sanz-David, and Elder Abuse Prevention team member Dani Kaiserman, were recognized by the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department for their contributions to the community. Every day, Dani works to protect vulnerable older community members from abuse, while Anna and Dominique help promote intergenerational wealth and the wellbeing of our community members through the drafting of advance health care directives and trusts. A big congrats to these dedicated staff members!
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“Thelma” Movie Collab to Spread Elder Scams Awareness
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At Bet Tzedek, we provide free legal services to help the elder population combat scams, abuse, and exploitation — issues all too common within that community.
We absolutely loved “Thelma,” a heartfelt and wholesome film about an elderly woman, Thelma (played by June Squibb), who gets scammed and then sets out on a mission of a lifetime to get her money back. The film humanizes older adults, treating them with the utmost respect and dignity, something we cherish at Bet Tzedek. “Thelma” is not only a touching and sincere movie, but also an action-packed, hilarious thriller! We thank director Josh Margolin and the team at Magnolia Pictures for helping to spread awareness on the vital issue of elder scams.
You can watch “Thelma” now on Hulu and anywhere you get your movies. Also, check out Bet Tzedek’s many FREE legal services for seniors, and all marginalized communities.
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Kim Selfon, BT Medi-Cal Policy Advocate’s CANHR 'Legal Advocate of the Year' Award Speech
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California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) recognized our Medi-Cal Policy Advocate Kim Selfon’s contributions to the legal services community with the 'Legal Services Advocate of the Year' Award for 2024! This award is in recognition of the work Kim does to serve older adults in her local community, and how she advocates for systemic changes to improve outcomes for all Californians. Congrats, Kim, and thank you for your life-changing work!
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We Need Volunteers to Help Prepare Families in Case of Deportation Separation
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The immigrant community once again faces the possibility of crisis. Thousands of children are at risk of being left without anyone with the legal authority to enroll them in school or authorize medical treatment, in the event that their undocumented parents are removed from the county.
Bet Tzedek seeks volunteers to join its rapid response "Family Preparedness" program.
Volunteers are needed to help conduct Know Your Rights presentations in English and Spanish to inform parents about the steps they need to take to ensure their child’s safety, wellbeing, and care, should they be removed from the United States.
In addition, a high volume of volunteers will be needed at in-person clinics, on an ongoing basis, to help draft planning documents such as Caregiver’s Affidavits. These clinics will be held at various community locations throughout Los Angeles County, and are supplemented by regularly held clinics at Bet Tzedek’s offices.
Bet Tzedek cannot do this alone. We seek volunteers, both attorneys and individuals willing to serve as translators, to sit down with families to help draft these documents. Volunteers will be trained via a one hour MCLE training. There is no expectation of any ongoing representation or responsibility to the clients assisted.
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| Bet Tzedek CEO & President Diego Cartagena's Message for End of Year Giving
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Have anything you'd like us to add to future newsletters? Respond to this email.
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