The year brought not only new and expanded offices, but more importantly, new and expanded programs. In February, as part of a state-wide effort led by the National Center for Youth Law and the S.F. Bar Association Volunteer Legal Services Program, we began providing free representation to certain children who lost SSI disability benefits under the massive welfare reform changes of 1996. Although far fewer children sought representation than anyone anticipated, we were successful in restoring benefits for every child we represented (two cases are still pending).
In April, we expanded our participation in BAYBAC, a Bay Area-wide collaborative project designed to help homeless people with disabilities qualify for SSI and other federal benefits. Our role has been to provide pro-bono representation to homeless people residing in Contra Costa through the initial disability application stages. Using staff, summer law clerks and volunteers, we have represented over 20 individuals so far and have successfully obtained benefits in most cases that have been finally resolved. (See the article below for more about this program.)
During the summer we also expanded our basic advocacy services. Historically, the Hawkins Center has focused on providing legal representation at disability hearings before administrative law judges. This year, we created a full-time benefits advocate position to provide representation at the initial stages of the application process.
In September, we greatly enhanced our support services when we welcomed Janet D’Andrade, our new social worker, and Melissa Swan and Marina Paniagua, interns from the San Francisco State University undergraduate social work program. Each contributes unique talents to our efforts to address our clients’ many nonlegal needs.
Finally, in November, we opened the doors to our newest program, the HIV Legal Services Project. Through this project, we provide free legal assistance on a variety of issues to people living with HIV in Contra Costa County. Some of the more common issues we assist with are eviction defense, housing habitability problems, creditor/debtor disputes, guardianship planning for children of HIV-infected parents, uncontested divorces, powers of attorney for health care and finances, and simple wills. Although we may assist with other problems, we will make every effort to find another pro-bono lawyer who can handle any case we cannot. Our HIV project is a collaboration with the AIDS Legal Referral Panel and the East Bay Community Law Center, which have both been extremely generous with their time and dedication to help get our project up and running.
We have come a long way this year, owing in no small part to the hard
work and commitment of our dedicated staff. Ultimately, however, the success
of the work we do cannot be measured by the number or size of our programs,
but by the positive change this work brings in our clients’ lives. When
I reflect back and measure our work by that standard, I feel secure in
the knowledge we have had a successful year. Thus, from our new abode,
I wish you all the happiest of holidays.