California JusticeCorps Program News

The JusticeCorps program aims to assist California courts in meeting the needs of self-represented litigants by recruiting and training college students to work in legal self-help centers. JusticeCorps members work under the supervision of court attorneys. Since the program began in 2004, JusticeCorps members have:

Assisted more than 60,000 litigants Filed 18,000 legal documents Provided 25,000 referrals Completed 181,716 hours of service

As part of their commitment JusticeCorps members are expected to participate in local community volunteer efforts, or "service days." These events are an opportunity for JusticeCorps members to provide service to the community outside of a court setting.

In 2008, On Martin Luther King Day, Bay Area JusticeCorps members helped beautify East Oakland with several other Bay Area organizations. Members trekked through the rain to pick up trash and pull weeds around the Arroyo Viejo Park Recreation Center, as well as weeded garden plots to prepare them for the spring. Members spent the day outdoors, honoring the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., and working to create a beautiful public space.

Los Angeles JusticeCorps members also demonstrated civic service on Martin Luther King Day by participating in Los Angeles Works 135th Street-School Project. JusticeCorps members joined other volunteers in painting murals, cleaning public spaces, and participating in children literacy workshops.