10 Years of Partnership, Facing the Challenge Award, and Tenant Protections

Working Together for Ten Years

This month, the Law Foundation celebrates the tenth anniversary of our Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) with Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Just as a doctor refers someone with a specific medical need to a specialist, the MLP allows doctors to refer a patient to a lawyer. Sometimes, a patient's health is affected by legal issues in their lives. For example, a child living in a house with poor conditions can experience asthma a result and may miss school.  A lawyer can make a difference. Last year, the MLP had 600 referrals. And in 2017, the National Association of Medical Legal Partnerships voted ours the best in the country. Click here to hear from Michelle, who received help from our MLP team when her son wasn't receiving the educational support he needed.

CEO Alison Brunner Recognized by African American Community Service Agency

The African American Community Service Agency (AACSA) awarded Alison Brunner, CEO of the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, with the Facing the Challenge Award at its 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon. The honor is given to an advocate for the development of organizations that provide services to improve our community. Thank you to AACSA for this important honor and shared commitment to the community.

Expanding Tenant Protections in San Jose

Last year, Law Foundation attorneys and staff advocated strongly on behalf of our clients and community for greater tenant protections in San Jose. In December, the San Jose City Council supported the position of the Law Foundation and our coalition partners by expanding tenant protections. These protections will improve the lives of low-income and working-class families in their search for affordable housing, including an ordinance to protect Section 8 voucher holders. In Santa Clara County, Section 8 vouchers are the most common form of subsidized housing, with about 17,000 participants. Through this program, low-income families pay roughly 30 percent of their income toward rent and the remaining is paid by a government agency. Read more.

We're moving (down the street) and here's why.

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley helps thousands of people every year who experience evictions, uninhabitable living situations, and possible displacement from their community. And the nonprofit sector, the Law Foundation included, has not been immune to the crisis. 

A recent survey of Silicon Valley organizations by the Northern California Grantmakers reported that one-third of nonprofits have been forced to relocate in the past five years. And an even higher number of organizations that serve low-income and communities of color anticipated moving. Many organizations reported concerns about their long-term financial sustainability because of the high-priced real estate market.

For the last ten years, the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley has been located in downtown San Jose, ensuring that our clients can conveniently access our staff, attorneys, and resources. This is crucial because our clients are often facing time-sensitive, life-changing issues, like an abrupt end to their disability benefits, an eviction, or entrance into the foster care system. 

Last year, the Law Foundation was notified that the building we are currently in was being sold, with no possibility of a lease continuation. The executive team worked diligently with JLL Partners, searching for possible locations throughout Santa Clara County. All options were considered, including outside of downtown San Jose. All final options meant increased costs and reduced square footage. Ultimately, the decision was to stay in downtown San Jose.

While staying in downtown San Jose significantly increases our rent costs, our organization can't deliver on its mission of providing free legal services to under-represented communities if they can't access us easily. 

Starting on Monday, March 4, our new offices will be located at 4 North Second Street, Suite 1300. 

As we look toward the future, we believe the Law Foundation's success is dependent on being accessible to our clients, most of whom are low-income or living with a disability. And we hope that you share in our commitment to this mission by continuing your support of our work, now more than ever.

If you would like to see our new location in person and talk more about the work we do, please contact communications@lawfoundation.org.