St. Vincent’s seeking pro bono legal services for low-income families

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – St. Vincent’s provides affordable housing for mothers and children experiencing homelessness. 

While the nonprofit is able to provide early childhood education, family enrichment opportunities and other related services, the demand for legal services is increasing. 

“Well, one of the concerns, especially with our mothers and children and the family strengthening program … Is they come to us in need of help with their custody cases or expungements, and we need funding … we need attorneys to step forward to help on a pro bono basis," said chief development officer Regina Ruiz of St. Vincent's.

Right now leaders of the organization say they do not have the resources to the high demand among the mothers. 

"It’s almost every single mother that needs legal help," said Ruiz.

Before the pandemic, St. Vincent’s had several volunteer attorneys working on a pro bono basis.

"And now that has drastically reduced and we really don’t know why," said Ruiz.

"As a result many of our families risk losing custody of their children and their incredible mothers and they deserve a fair chance," said director of Family Strengthening Program Florence Berger of St. Vincent's.

Leaders of St. Vincent’s say without legal representation most of their families don’t stand a chance in court. 

"We are hoping that since there are approximately 1400 attorneys in Santa Barbara county in fact, we have some of the most attorneys per capita in the entire state we’re hoping for any attorneys that want to give back in volunteer will come give their services to our clients. It really is life-changing," said Berger.

"My hope is some attorneys will step forward and help mothers in need ... either with custody cases ... expungement cases ... and even immigration," said Ruiz.

St. Vincent's is recruiting volunteer attorneys right now.

For more information on becoming a volunteer attorney at St. Vincent's, visit: https://www.stvincents-sb.org/.