A Message from Our CEO

Tenant Organizing Creates Lasting Change for Vietnamese Renters

We have been working with two communities of tenants in San Jose to advance their housing and language access rights. These tenants are mostly Vietnamese, low-income, elderly, disabled, and have limited English proficiency. We partnered to help them organize tenant associations including the Corde Terra Seniors tenant association, with a strong 50% of tenants participating. Read More

Medical Legal Partnership Celebrates 15 Years

A person’s health is affected by the things going on in their life. This could be unstable living conditions at home, a tough situation at work, financial uncertainty, or other obstacles beyond what a doctor can treat. At Santa Clara Valley Healthcare, the County’s public healthcare safety net, patients facing these obstacles can be referred by their trusted doctor to receive free legal help from a Law Foundation attorney. Each year, we reach about 500 children and adults through this Medical Legal Partnership. Read More

Stepping in for Stability: A Renewed Commitment in Pro Bono Guardianship

Sometimes a child is unable to be cared for by both parents due to difficult circumstances like death, abuse, neglect, or absence. In these cases, a family member or other trusted adult can be appointed as a legal guardian through the court system. A guardianship allows an adult other than a parent to legally care for a child, providing safety and stability in the child’s best interests. 

But asking the court for a guardianship can be a complicated process to navigate, especially as a minor. That’s where the Law Foundation comes in. Read More

Breaking Barriers to the Ballot Box: The Voting Rights Project

The Voting Rights Project stands as a powerful reminder of the values we uphold as a society—respect for individual dignity, equity, and the importance of every voice in shaping democracy.  

Though the voting process is seemingly convenient for most Californians, for patients who are unable to leave a psychiatric facility it can be especially difficult. Law Foundation attorneys provide many services to protect the rights of people in mental health hospitals. During elections, this includes having their voices heard at the ballot box. Read More

Fighting for Housing Justice: Stopping Unjust Evictions  

When Victor’s* friend had a medical emergency in his apartment, his only thought was how to get help—fast. But when Victor yelled to an apartment manager to call 9-1-1, the manager used it as an opportunity to evict him for “disorderly behavior.” Under the City of San Jose’s Tenant Protection Ordinance, landlords can evict a tenant for disruptive behavior. But Victor knew he had only done what anyone else trying to get emergency help would do. And he knew what his landlord was doing was wrong. Read More