LevittQuinn Fall 2018 Newsletter

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LevittQuinn's mission is to serve as a nonprofit family law center protecting children and standing with family members in crisis. LevittQuinn was founded in the spirit that no family should have to suffer a legal crisis alone. 37 years later, that sense of obligation to lift up and support our fellow community members lives on within the organization. Recently, our staff met for our first ever retreat in beautiful Lake Arrowhead. We talked about what our mission means to us, and the values and life circumstances that drove us to public service:

"Offering clients a sense of hope"
"Fighting for the underdog"
"Building community with our clients"
"Responding rapidly to crisis and having an impact"
"Giving our clients strength to stand up and move forward"
"Reducing family conflict to create more stable homes for children"

As an executive director, I felt pride and a renewed sense of purpose at hearing these words that show just how deep the commitment to service runs within the team, and how aligned we are with the mission and vision of the organization.

In these days of strife and anger, when some of us question what community means anymore, the LevittQuinn team is clear about who we are and what we want to achieve for the communities we serve. We welcome all those who share our vision of strengthening our communities one family, even one person, at a time. Working together, we can make a difference. Join us!

37th ANNUAL STAND FOR JUSTICE GALA

We celebrated our 37th Annual Stand for Justice Gala on Saturday, September 22. Over 400 guests joined us at Skirball Center to thank honorees Judge Mitchell Beckloff and our own Dinah Conyers Ruch for their good works. Each honoree has directed their compassion for others into a lifetime of community service. View video of the evening's program and more Gala photos here!

Mark your calendars for our 38th Annual Gala set for September 14, 2019.

Dinah Conyers Ruch received the Ethel Levitt Humanitarian Award for her dedicated service to LevittQuinn and her significant contributions to improving the lives of the neediest members of our community.

LQ honored Judge Mitchell Beckloff with the Outstanding Community Service Award for his service to the community and dedication to justice for all .

Thanks to our generous sponsors and guests, we exceeded budget expectations for sponsorship, ticket sales, and mobile pledges. Tickets sales were at an all time high this year!

The funds raised via our Gala comprise about a third of our general operating support, making everyone who contributes to the success of the evening a true partner in our work to protect children and stand with family members in crisis. Thank you!

Volunteers play a vital role in everything we do at LevittQuinn, including helping us to prepare for our Gala. We are blessed to have the support of this circle of friends who give their time generously and joyously. We could not create the special evening that is our yearly Gala without them!

Interested in connecting with a trusted nonprofit working to help vulnerable folks address their unresolved legal issues?

A global day of giving and engagement that harnesses collective community power to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

On November 27, mark #GivingTuesday by starting a new volunteer relationship with LevittQuinn. We work with our volunteers to make the most of their skills, experience, and interests. We can create an opportunity that fits your schedule. Sign up today !

WELCOME ALICE NGUYEN

Alice Nguyen joined the LevittQuinn family this September as our newest staff attorney.

Alice graduated from California State University, Long Beach , with a double major in Management and Operations Management. She earned her law degree at Southwestern Law School . Prior to becoming a staff attorney, Alice worked at LevittQuinn as one of two inaugural fellows of the Southwestern Law School Alumni Association’s Domestic Violence Advocacy Initiative (DVAI) , serving victims and survivors of domestic violence. Alice is passionate about serving underrepresented communities and is a devoted member of the team who cares for our sweet office cat, Floja.

NEW DVAI FELLOW CHRISTINA BLAZEK

For the past year LevittQuinn has mentored Domestic Violence Advocacy Initiative fellows sponsored by Southwestern Law School's Alumni Association . The DVAI fellowship offers attorneys who have 0 to 3 years of legal experience the opportunity to gain valuable legal training and expertise. Fellows work with LevittQuinn staff to provide free and low-cost family law help to domestic violence survivors who would not otherwise get the legal help they need.

Christina M. Blazek is a graduate of Southwestern Law School whose dedication to public service has been recognized by the President of the California State Bar as a Wiley W. Manuel Certificate recipient. Christina was a founding member and co-chair of the Visual Arts Law Student Advocates (VALSA) and served as president of Southwestern's Federalist Society. While awaiting Bar results, Christina served the community at Public Counsel with the Homelessness Prevention Project and as a law clerk with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Hard Core Gang Division. Christina is a proud and devoted single parent to her daughter.

INCREASING ACCESS FOR OUR VETERANS

For almost two years, LevittQuinn has partnered with the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Veterans Legal Services Project to staff a quarterly Veterans Family Law Clinic at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall.

Help with family law-related issues continues to be a top 10 unmet need for male and female veterans. Seeing the need, but not the resources, for competent family law help continue to grow for our Southern California veterans, we and LACBA began this clinic in 2016. In our first year, we held 4 quarterly clinics and served 42 veterans to address their unresolved family law issues. LevittQuinn recruited and supervised 13 volunteers to help us staff these clinics. We continued the clinic in 2018, and between November 2017 and October 2018, we served 48 vets over the course of 5 clinics .

Almost half of the veterans come to us as referrals from Veterans Administration facilities. While 39% have a matter pending in family court, 63% of the vets we see have never spoken to an attorney about their legal matter. Most are coming to talk with us about divorces and support issues, with a 1/3 wanting help to fix custody and visitation problems, like Gulf War veteran "Angela" who needed LevittQuinn's help to secure supervised visitation orders to keep her little girls safe during visits with their father.

We measure our success by asking participants to complete an exit survey, which includes checking all issues that apply to their situation, rating on a scale of 1 to 5 whether the consultation was helpful, and advising whether they would recommend the clinic to other veterans. Over 92% of our clinic participants tell us they found the clinic helpful and 89% would recommend the clinic to a fellow vet. Over two-thirds of the vets tell us they leave the workshop with a better understanding of their legal issues and how they can improve their situation, with 84% telling us they understand what they need to do next to resolve their legal issues. Vets who need more help can schedule appointments with us for further in-depth services.

In written comments, vets told us:

"I enjoyed the session because the lady was very knowledgeable, friendly and patient. She explained everything well. I am less fearful now."

"Workshop was excellent. Very informative. Thank you!"

"It was outstanding!"

"Thank you for this service!!!"

LevittQuinn remains committed to working with our partners to expand family law services and improve outcomes for veterans struggling with family law problems.

This #GivingTuesday, give the gift of continued support for the work we do on behalf of our veterans.

SPONSOR PROFILE - MOORE, SCHULMAN & MOORE

Moore, Schulman & Moore, APC is a proud supporter of LevittQuinn and its mission to protect children and stand with family members in crisis.

We understand that the people who work with our firm are going through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Our goal is to simplify our clients’ divorce processes in every way we can, and to deliver the exceptional service our clients need to successfully move forward.

Our San Diego divorce lawyers, including 10 certified family law specialists, provide honest, attentive, and helpful counsel from initial consultation to case resolution.

San Diego’s Family Law Experts®

858.755.3300 - www.msmfamilylaw.com