NEW YEAR, NEW MOMENTUM FOR ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Happy New Year! I know you will be as inspired as I am by what is ahead. In 2020, with your support, we will continue our efforts to expand equal access to justice for our DC neighbors in greatest need. Two standouts exemplify our momentum together headed into a new year and new decade:

• In a record year for DC Bar Foundation grant-making – in which we awarded over $10.5 million to 33 grantees – we are proud to partner with several new grantees, including Safe Sisters Circle. Safe Sisters Circle focuses on ending the plague of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and supporting those victimized by it – especially Black women, who experience violence at a higher rate than any other ethnic group in our region. Our funding will give underserved residents of Wards 7 and 8 accessible attorney support and other legal services, through the East of the River Women’s Legal Services and Healing Project. It provides free, culturally-specific, holistic, trauma-based services to Black women survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

• We are thrilled to offer our grantees the fourth and final session in a Racial Justice Training Series. This training makes an essential contribution to our local legal aid community. It helps participants understand the meaning of racial equity and provides tools for envisioning and constructing equity in our workspaces. This interactive experience helps participants develop a path to understanding not only for themselves, but for their organizations as well. It prepares participants to meet the people they serve with greater skill and awareness, improving every outcome.

As we move into the first year of our new Strategic Plan, infusing racial justice and equity in our work will be a priority. To accomplish this, we will study and implement best practices on racial justice and equity initiatives, explore local partnerships where there are opportunities to align efforts, and evolve internally by learning, reflecting, unlearning and changing our practices in the pursuit of racial justice. Thank you for standing with us as we bring the pursuit of access to justice into the new decade. Together, we will make 2020 a transformative year. With gratitude, Kirra L. Jarratt Chief Executive Officer

Tags: Issue 42 (January 2020