Dear Friends,
Happy August from Bet Tzedek! As we land in the 21st century in our continued journey of #50YearsOfJusticeForAll, we have rebranded our social media for a more modern, vibrant look. Follow along on our accounts, found on the bottom of this news digest, as we continue to explore Bet Tzedek’s major milestones in the early 2000s.
Did you know that in 2004, Bet Tzedek collaborated with 360 volunteers to serve 10,000 clients? Since our inception in 1974, Bet Tzedek has utilized tens of thousands of dedicated, mission-driven volunteers to help us provide free legal services to marginalized communities across Los Angeles. Last year, 1,241 volunteers — including 318 law students — helped Bet Tzedek impact over 80,000 individuals and families. We cannot thank our volunteers enough; they make our vital work possible.
According to this article, “Volunteering Would Feel Good Even if It Didn’t Have Health Benefits. But It Does,” research has revealed a connection between volunteering and more positive emotions, less loneliness, and more social support. It can even help you live longer. This is especially true among older and retired communities. Bet Tzedek pursues equal justice for all by providing free legal services to the unhoused, undocumented immigrants, LGBTQIA+ community, low-wage workers, tenants, the elderly, Holocaust survivors, small business owners, and more. We would love for you to join us in this effort by volunteering with us today!
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Bet Tzedek: Why I Volunteer
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Pro Bono CTA: Help a Widowed Mother and Her Disabled Son Preserve Their Home
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Case Description: A mother and young adult living with an intellectual disability need your help to secure their home. Mom and Dad were unmarried and shared three kids. In 2012, they lost one of their sons who had become severely disabled due to medical malpractice. At the time of their son’s death, the family was living in the home purchased by the Special Needs Trust of the deceased son. After the son’s death, the trustee of the Special Needs Trust signed a quitclaim deed giving the house 50% to mom and 50% to dad as tenants in common. Mom and Dad continued to live in the home with their two remaining children, a young developmentally disabled son who is conservated and the daughter. Dad recently passed away without doing any estate planning.
Mom called Bet Tzedek about estate planning to protect herself and her disabled son. Our attorneys explained that Dad’s share of the house needs to be probated. His heirs are son and daughter. Mom doesn’t have the money for probate since the only asset is the family home that they will continue to live in. Mom’s goal is for her and son to be able to live in and benefit from the home.
Special Notes: Pro bono attorney should explore if conservatorship over the estate of son is necessary to represent his interest in the probate.
If you are interested in helping, contact Bet Tzedek’s Director of Pro Bono Programs, Sara Levine, at slevine@bettzedek.org.
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Our Continued Fight to Protect Small Business Owners Across California
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Last week, the Small Business Alliance for Equitable Communities coalition — which includes Bet Tzedek, CAMEO Network, Inclusive Action for the City, Public Counsel, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, and Small Business Majority — traveled to Sacramento to join Senator Menjivar at a press conference in favor of SB 1103. This legislation aims to protect small business owners and nonprofits from gentrification, displacement, and unexpected rent increases.
Nadia Segura, Bet Tzedek's Directing Attorney for our Small Business Development Program, has been a key player in lobbying for this bill. She took to the podium at this press conference, speaking on behalf of the small business owners and nonprofits the bill will protect.
SB 1103 is now being considered by the state Assembly after passing the Senate in the spring. Shortly following the press conference, small business owners and advocates met with state Assembly members.
Join the fight to help save small businesses and nonprofits in your community, from beloved cafes to community centers to clothing boutiques.
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Bet Tzedek’s Short Documentary in the Independent Film Circuit!
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BT CEO Diego Cartagena with Working Nation Team.
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On stage at the August 6th screening.
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We are thrilled that the Valley Film Festival invited Bet Tzedek to showcase our short film, “The Journey of Bet Tzedek,” on Tuesday, August 6th. In the powerful documentary, our founders, some of whom reunited for the first time in 30 years, came together to reflect on our inception, mission, and milestones. Thank you to WorkingNation, a nonprofit documentary production company founded by Bet Tzedek Board member Art Bilger, for telling our story with great finesse. Watch the documentary below!
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Media Alert: Our Employment Rights Attorney Yvonne Medrano Discusses Workers' Rights
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Bet Tzedek Employment Rights Project attorney Yvonne Medrano discusses the rights of janitorial workers in the City of Los Angeles in the video above in Spanish, starting at the 3:30 mark. (Note: Bet Tzedek was asked to comment on the rights of workers in L.A. We do not represent any of the workers and played no part in the lawsuit.)
Earlier this month, Los Angeles City Attorney Feldstein Soto filed a civil suit against two janitorial companies, their owners, and two supermarket chains, accusing them of wage theft affecting 65 workers. Bet Tzedek applauds City Attorney Feldstein Soto’s efforts to combat wage theft.
Janitorial workers are especially vulnerable to wage theft. We are encouraged that this lawsuit not only names the direct employers as defendants, but also the contractors, as allowed by a 2015 law that makes contractors jointly responsible for wage theft against janitorial workers. Watch Yvonne in the video above!
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A New Way to Give: Donate Your Car to Bet Tzedek!
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We feel enormous gratitude for our generous donors who make it possible for us to assist over 80,000 individuals and families every year. There is now a new way for you to make a difference in the lives of Angelenos through our work at Bet Tzedek: donate your car! Vehicle donations are an easy way to give to nonprofits AND it doesn't cost you anything — except maybe an old car that you no longer need. When you donate a car to Bet Tzedek, you are supporting our mission to help people of all communities and generations secure life’s necessities. All donations are tax-deductible and free towing is available for your convenience.
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The Importance of Wellness in the Workplace
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Bet Tzedek recently had a Wellness Week for our employees. We firmly believe that a healthy work-life balance is vital. Our team was able to attend in-person events, such as this paint therapy class (photos above), to bolster wellness in the workplace.
According to Practicing Law Institute (PLI), attorneys have disproportionately higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to other professionals. Those rates are even higher for younger and newer attorneys, as well as those from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds.
That is why we strongly believe that our employees — attorneys and all staff that contribute to our amazing work — should have a healthy work-life balance. We promote wellness in the workplace, support our employees, and provide resources for help. We hope other organizations start or continue to focus on this important effort to prevent burnout and high levels of stress.
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Join the Bet Tzedek Team!
Have a passion for helping underserved residents in the community? Want to work alongside dedicated staff and volunteers who help up to 100,000 people per year?
Here are some critical positions we need to fill, plus more (see button below):
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Have anything you'd like us to add to future newsletters? Respond to this email.
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