It is the goal of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association to make charitable gifts to non-profits in the spirit of assisting the advancement of the status of women and children in law and society in matters including, but not limited to:
Legal services, education, awareness, and prevention services regarding domestic violence, and human trafficking.
Gender discrimination, harassment, or bias against women.
Access to services that support and improve the rights and lives of women.
Philanthropic Giving Application Policy
One time each calendar year, the OCWLA board shall review all applications for OCWLA’s philanthropic giving. All submissions must be received by February 28. After the submissions are received, each applicant will be assigned to an OCWLA Philanthropy Committee board member who will learn about the applicant organization. The board member should consider speaking with the applicant and conducting a site visit. Philanthropic gifts may range up to $5,000 per organization in a one year period. Maximum gift amounts may be modified by the board. Grants will be awarded during the first quarter of the year.
Any OCWLA board member who is affiliated with an organization that submits an application for a philanthropic gift, either as a member, board member, or officer, shall refrain from voting on that organization’s gift from OCWLA.
In deciding which organizations should receive philanthropic gifts, OCWLA’s board should consider the following:
Whether the gift will facilitate volunteerism and community service by members of OCWLA.
Whether the gift will bring positive public attention to OCWLA.
Whether the gift will meet OCWLA’s philanthropic giving policy.
Whether the goals and objectives of an organization are consistent with OCWLA’s philanthropic giving application mission.
Whether the Organization is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
OCWLA shall observe the following limitations, and should not make philanthropic gifts to the following organizations:
Organizations having a religious, political or lobbying purpose, unless these activities are incidental to the primary organizational mission.
Organizations whose primary function is to allocate funds to other charitable organizations or projects.
Projects that will take place outside Orange County.
The OCWLA Currently Supports The Following Organizations
Collaborative Courts Foundation Donation $4,000. The Foundation provides a wide range of support and assistance to participants in the very successful Orange County Collaborative Court programs. Virtually all The Foundation assistance is in response to specific requests from the Court that have been vetted by County staff. The Foundation pays for interim sober living housing, educational assistance, restorative dental services, eye care and lenses, transportation passes, supplemental mental health counseling and basic needs. The Foundation also sponsors cultural and sporting events typically attended by judges and program staff that allow participants to reconnect with friends and family in a positive environment and helps participants experience the benefits of sobriety. The Orange County Collaborative Court programs are designated “Mentor Courts” by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and serve as models for programs across the country and throughout the world. Collaborative Court judges, staff and participants have all recognized the important role the Foundation plays participant success in the program and after graduation. Together, The Foundation helps participants – including veterans – secure employment, restore relationships with family and become productive members of society.
Girls Inc. of Orange County Donation $3,000. Girls Inc. of Orange County positively changes the lives of girls, ages 41/2 to 18, each year, by providing year-round holistic, compensatory, and intentional programming focusing on leadership skills and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math). The Strong, Smart & Bold after school and summer program was created to build a continuum of programs for girls by providing a strong and healthy foundation as they navigate through school. Girls Inc. of Orange County has been a respected member of the non-profit community for nearly 60 years. Girls Inc. of Orange County puts its mission into practice through the Girls Inc. experience that equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated, and independent adults.
Laura’s House Donation $1,500. Laura's House provides unduplicated domestic violence-related services to the 915,000 residents of Orange County, California and beyond. Over the past 29 years, Laura's House has provided shelter and supportive services to more than 5,000 abused women, men and children and counseling, life skills education and legal advocacy to over 55,000 persons. Today, Laura's House continues to be the only state-approved comprehensive domestic violence agency in South Orange County. Annually, Laura's House provides residential shelter services, transitional housing, counseling and workshops, and legal services to thousands of individuals. Over 3000 crisis calls come in each year on our 24/7 Crisis Hotline. Laura's House's target population is families experiencing the effects of domestic violence in need of emergency shelter, support, education and counseling. Laura's House operates on the philosophy that domestic violence is multi-dimensional and often cyclical in nature and must be addressed through a range of interventions. Laura's House goal is to provide supportive service programs that will prepare its clients and their children to live independent and violence free lives, with an emphasis on education and prevention for future generations.
MOMS Orange County – Donation $5,000. MOMS Orange County delivers high impact Home Visits and Group Classes that result in healthier mothers and babies. Under nurse supervision their home visitors deliver women access to prenatal care, health screenings, health education, infant development screenings, and resource referral services beginning in early pregnancy and through baby’s first birthday. Their in-home program is especially valuable for mothers and families isolated from the resources and social supports that help prevent birth complications and poor health conditions for their children. In their classes health educators use interactive components to engage and equip mothers and their partners with the knowledge and skills needed for each stage of pregnancy and during the early development of their infant. Mommy and Me classes are designed to also encourage mothers to foster individual support networks.
Pathways to Independence Donation $1,500. The mission of Pathways to Independence is to transform the lives of single young women, from disadvantaged backgrounds, through education, therapy, mentoring, housing and healthcare, to break the cycle of poverty and abuse.
Veterans Legal Institute Donation $5,000. Veterans Legal Institute® (VLI) provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless, at risk, disabled and low income current and former service members to eradicate barriers to housing, healthcare, education, and employment and foster self-sufficiency. VLI brings together military members, veterans, and the concerned public at large through volunteerism, education, outreach, and policy advocacy. VLI is committed to showing compassion and understanding regarding the unique set of military specific issues associated with traumatic combat deployments. VLI is dedicated to providing high quality legal services and advocacy. VLI raises the standard in the legal industry by providing legal services at the upmost levels of professionalism and excellence for the benefit of its clients and the overall veteran community. VLI empowers its clients through direct legal services.
WISEPlace, a Community of Hope & Housing Donation $5,000. WISEPlace aims to lead the effort of ending homelessness for unaccompanied women through housing solutions and empowering wrap-around services that provide a path toward personal self-reliance. WISEPlace envisions an Orange County where every woman in need is safely housed, empowered, and on a path to personal stability.
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OCWLA thanks its members and sponsors for their generous support and contributions, and looks forward to partnering with members, sponsors and the community, to carry forward the OCWLA’s commitment to the community, women in the legal profession, and all those who support their advancement.
The OCWLA Supported The Following Organizations in 2022
Elder Law and Disability Rights Center – Donation $5,000. The ELDR Center believes that low-income seniors and people with disabilities are among the fastest growing vulnerable populations falling into a gap in our justice system. We have an obligation to ensure they can live with dignity and independently make end of life plans despite their income. Through advocacy, education, and the provision of free and low-cost legal services, the ELDR Center strives to ensure dignity and justice for members of our communities who are elderly, living with disabilities, or experiencing homelessness.
CASA of Orange County – Donation $5,000. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is serving Orange County’s most severely abused, abandoned, and neglected children through the recruitment, training, and supervision of community volunteers who advocate for their best interest.
Community Legal Aid SoCal – Donation $5,000. Community Legal Aid SoCal is dedicated to meeting the legal needs of low-income people throughout Orange and Southeast Los Angeles Counties. With an emphasis on innovation, language access, and a holistic approach to client care, we support clients with the following services: Evaluation, Advice, and Counsel; Clinics, Workshops, and Self-Help Centers; Direct Representation; Impact Litigation; Policy Advocacy.
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The OCWLA Has Also Given Support To The Following Organizations
Orange County Women
