Legal Services for Children supports youth, like Tessa, who have been seriously abused or neglected by a parent and need a legal advocate to help keep them safe. We provide holistic services through our multidisciplinary teams. Our goal is to ensure that every child has a safe place to live, meaningful educational opportunities, and the services he or she needs to thrive. We represent children in dependency, guardianship, emancipation, school discipline, special education, public benefits, and immigration cases.

Alone in a foreign land
LSC staff met sixteen-year-old Juan at a facility run by the Department of Homeland Security, where he was detained after he fled his native country, Guatemala. Juan was very reticent at first, and divulged little about his experiences. An attorney and social worker team – both of whom speak Spanish – spent the time necessary to slowly gain his trust. Finally, he told us that he left Guatemala after prolonged violence and harassment at the hands of a group of men in his village. LSC successfully petitioned for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and Juan was placed in foster care and received his green card. An LSC social worker helped him obtain mental health treatment to address his long history of abuse and continues to monitor his progress. Juan is flourishing in his new life in the US and obtained straight A's at his current high school.

Each year, well over 100 unaccompanied immigrant children are detained in Northern California. They are alone, imprisoned in a foreign land, and have no understanding of their legal rights. Many have been subjected to unspeakable violence and exploitation in their native countries. LSC provides culturally sensitive legal and social work services for this severely vulnerable population. Last year, we provided full representation and services to every detained child in Northern California seeking assistance. LSC works closely with the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Refugee Resettlement and community organizations to advocate for systemic change and improved procedures relating to detained immigrant children. Partnering with a panel of pro bono attorneys, LSC ensures each child receives proper representation and appropriate relief.

Back on track
Sarah is a bright, engaging young woman who was kicked out of her house when she was fourteen. Without structure, stability, or support, she entered into a series of harmful relationships and living situations that provided temporary relief but greater long term difficulties. A victim of teen dating violence and a high school drop out, Sarah became pregnant at age 15. She had no financial support, no place to live, and no health care. She came to LSC because she wanted to create a safe and healthy life for herself and her child. With the support of an attorney and social worker, Sarah obtained a restraining order against her abuser, completed an independent study high school program, and obtained vital health care benefits. She recently completed a vocational training program and is working full time. She rents her own apartment that she shares with her healthy newborn son. The baby is in subsidized child care while Sarah works. Sarah keeps in touch with LSC and credits the staff for helping her "get back on track."

The names of these clients, their images and some of the details in their stories have been changed to protect their confidentiality.

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