Friend –

We hope that you've taken time to rest and enjoy all things summer in D.C. In addition to taking breaks and enjoying the District's pools, parks, and patios, we've been working hard to build a more just and free D.C.

Here are two highlights of our recent work and some ways that you can get involved.

Lawsuit Challenges Unequal Response to Mental Health Emergencies

On July 6, our client Bread for the City, a nonprofit supporting underserved communities, filed a lawsuit that challenges the way D.C. responds to mental health crises. The lawsuit argues that the District discriminates against people with mental health disabilities by failing to ensure that mental health providers, instead of police officers, are available to provide timely responses to mental health emergencies. Learn more about the lawsuit here.

Why We Partnered with Network for Victim Recovery DC

At ACLU-D.C., we believe that real justice means healing. To move toward a more holistic sense of justice, we partnered with the Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC) to provide healing support to certain ACLU-D.C. clients and partners who have experienced traumatic violations of their civil rights and liberties. NVRDC's team of trauma-informed staff works to support and empower clients to pursue the kind of healing that is important to them. Read about our partnership here.

Volunteer with our Legal Department

Legal Cite Checker: We are seeking a lawyer, law student, or paralegal to assist our paralegal with checking the citations in our legal briefs and other filings. You will receive training about how to check a citation and the requirements of confidentiality. Learn more and indicate your interest in this volunteer position here.

Intake Volunteer: We are seeking a volunteer to assist our intake team in calling back people who request our legal help. With training, this volunteer will return calls to either ask for details about the who/what/when/where of their legal complaint or to suggest other organizations that may be able to help. Learn more and indicate your interest in this volunteer position here.

Volunteer Orientation and Skillshare: Effective Conversations

Wednesday, September 13, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library, Meeting Room 1
5401 South Dakota Ave NE
Washington, DC 20011

This free training will orient you to ACLU-D.C.'s core issues, teach you how to have effective one-on-one conversations about these issues, and welcome you to the ACLU-D.C. volunteer community. Learn more and register here.

Back to School with ACLU-D.C.: Know Your Rights for Demonstrations

Tuesday, October 3, 6 – 8 p.m.
ACLU-D.C. Office
8th Floor Conference Room
915 15th St NW
Washington, DC xxxxxx

Back-to-school is a great time for college students to learn how to exercise their constitutional right to demonstrate. Come learn about your free speech rights with students from across the District and staff from our Legal, Policy, and Organizing teams. Light refreshments will be served. Register here.

Thanks for sticking with us,

ACLU of the District of Columbia