By Kathleen Jensen
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
In the May issue, I highlighted The Records Project and Neighborhood Legal Clinics, two programs that demonstrate how even a modest time commitment can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. As promised, this follow-up article spotlights two additional opportunities that offer equally meaningful ways to serve while strengthening our legal community.
The Kinship Care Solutions Project assists relatives and other caregivers who have stepped in to provide safe and stable homes for children who cannot safely remain in their parents’ care. These situations arise for many reasons, including abuse or neglect, abandonment, incarceration, substance use, or the death of a parent. Some children have even fled war or violence in their home countries. Now in its third year under the Washington Uniform Guardianship Act, the Project continues to expand access to legal services for caregivers and children in need.
Volunteer attorneys represent caregivers seeking minor guardianships and provide support from the beginning of a case through its conclusion. Last year the Project added 35 new client cases and maintained approximately 45 active cases while expanding its volunteer panel and continuing partnerships with law schools and student externs. As cases have become increasingly complex, the Project has also recruited pro bono mediators, including former judicial officers, to help resolve contested matters and ensure families receive the assistance they need.
For many attorneys, the opportunity to work with a client throughout the life of a case is especially rewarding. While each case is unique, most are resolved before trial and can often be completed within several months. Yet the impact is lasting. Helping a caregiver secure the legal authority to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for a child can be transformative, not only for the family involved, but also for the volunteer who assists them.
The Self Help Plus (SHP) Family Law Program offers another accessible and highly flexible volunteer opportunity. SHP serves low-income individuals navigating uncontested family law matters, including legal separations, dissolutions of marriage, parenting plans, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases involving children who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect. The Program prioritizes individuals who face significant barriers to accessing legal services, including people with disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, those experiencing housing instability, immigrants, and survivors of domestic violence.
Last fiscal year, SHP received more than 200 applications for assistance, many involving parenting plans that help protect children and may provide pathways to immigration relief. The Program has also assisted a record number of immigrant families, many of whom would be unable to navigate the legal system on their own. Through a client-centered approach, SHP guides individuals step-by-step through pleadings, filings, court procedures, and required seminars, helping ensure that cases are completed successfully and families receive both legal expertise and compassionate support.
SHP offers two ways to volunteer. Attorneys may choose to meet virtually with clients and draft the documents necessary to file and finalize a case; alternatively, those with family law experience may review documents prepared by SHP staff and law student volunteers and provide legal feedback before filing. This work can be completed remotely and often requires only a few hours of volunteer time.
Both programs reflect an important truth about pro bono service: meaningful volunteerism does not require an overwhelming commitment of time. Volunteers receive training, mentoring, and support while developing new skills, building connections within our legal community, and using their legal knowledge to make a profound difference in the lives of others.
Taken together, the programs highlighted in these two articles demonstrate that meaningful service comes in many forms and share a common truth: a small commitment of time can create a lasting impact for those we serve and for the volunteers who answer the call. Whether you are looking to develop new skills, engage with colleagues in a different way, or simply give back, I encourage you to explore these opportunities and consider where your time and talents might make a difference.
To learn more about Kinship Care volunteer opportunities, please contact Paul McVicker at paulm@kcba.org. For opportunities with SHP, please contact Tanya Wanchena at tanyaw@kcba.org.
Kathleen Jensen is KCBA’s executive director, and she can be reached by email at kathleenj@kcba.org or phone at 206.267.7053.
