Dear LCYC Supporters,
As we enter a new year, I wanted to pause for a moment and reflect on 2021. While it was a year of continued uncertainty, it was also a year of growth and innovation for LCYC. I am so grateful for our incredible staff, who rolled with all the changes and continued to provide high quality legal support for youth across our state. I am in awe of the resilience of our team, but more importantly, of the youth that we work alongside every day.
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of donors. Because of their support, LCYC was able to pivot and innovate to meet the needs of young people. Here are just a few highlights from the past year:
A brown tweed notebook with a leather patch that says 2021-2022 with a black paid laid on top
We launched VLAW, a virtual law program. Through this program, we have been able to provide legal support to youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness in communities across the state virtually. Any homeless minor who is living on their own has a legal issue because of their age and the consent typically needed by parents or guardians to access shelter and services.
We supported the successful passage of House Bill 1219. The bill, with some limitations, mandates appointment of an attorney for youth who have been removed from their home or whose parents' parental rights may be terminated. While the bill requires a phased implementation through 2026, LCYC’s longtime vision for ensuring that dependent youth have access to an attorney will finally be realized after over a decade of advocacy—advocacy led by young people impacted by the foster care system. We continue to provide expert consultation to support the bill’s implementation, ensuring that young people will have equitable access and quality legal counsel through this initiative.
We published a report that highlights the perceptions and experiences of young people of color in King County regarding their knowledge (or lack thereof) about civil legal services. This report, titled Invisible & Inaccessible: Young People's Perceptions of Civil Legal Aid, was written by Equal Justice Works Fellow, Candice Dundy, who we have since hired as a Staff Attorney. You can read the report here.
We launched Pro Bono Champions, a volunteer program that grows our capacity to serve young people. We will collaborate with lawyers and other community members to collectively expand access to justice for youth and young adults. To date, there are 40 Pro Bono Champions signed up and we are actively recruiting for more.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting our work and for believing in our mission to protect the interests and safety of youth in Washington by advancing their legal rights. Wishing you all the best for 2022!
With Gratitude,
Erin Lovell
Executive Director
Legal Counsel for Youth and Children