On the Frontlines of Justice in Santa Rosa: Insights From a Community Worker
In Sonoma County, where immigrant and low-income communities face systemic barriers and are pushed out of their homes, denied wages, and cut off from public benefits, our Santa Rosa office steps in and serves the community in housing, employment, education, and public benefit legal issues.
Continue reading to learn from Fernando Torres, CRLA Community Worker, on how our team fights for justice in California everyday.
Housing Crisis in Sonoma County
Housing is the main issue CRLA witnesses in Sonoma County, with most people seeking legal aid for evictions, discrimination, or harassment.
“Fair housing means non-discriminatory housing. A family with kids has a right to live in peace. A tenant with a support animal has a right to keep that animal. We make sure folks know those rights and can enforce them.” – Fernando Torres, CRLA Community Worker
A Community Worker’s Tips for Dealing with Employment Issues
The second most common issue are employment problems, as many workers do not receive their full compensation or required breaks, or face retaliation for raising concerns about unsafe conditions.
“Document everything,” Torres advises. “Keep your pay stubs. Write down what HR said. We love it when someone walks in with detailed notes — that’s how we can defend them or file a wage claim with the labor commissioner.” –Torres
Navigating Educational Challenges with Legal Aid
CRLA also steps in on education issues. Parents often seek CRLA legal services when confused and overwhelmed when their child faces suspension, expulsion, or unequal treatment at school.
“These parents don’t always know how to navigate a hearing. We make sure they and their children have a voice in the process.” – Torres
Safeguarding Public Benefits
CRLA assists families with safeguarding critical benefits such as CalFresh and Medi-Cal.
“Every time that packet comes, make sure it gets turned in. And if you’re undocumented or part of a mixed-status family, talk to your health center now to protect your access to care. These cases aren’t just about paperwork — they’re about survival. We’re talking food. We’re talking health care. We want to make sure people don’t go hungry and don’t lose access to a doctor.” – Torres
Language Justice in Sonoma County
In Sonoma County, where many residents speak Spanish or Indigenous languages, CRLA emphasizes language justice and connects clients with interpreters in nearly any language.
“It’s part of an attorney’s responsibility to make sure the client understands their rights and their options. If there’s a failure to communicate, there’s no process. So we go out of our way to get the right interpreter — even down to the region of an Indigenous language.” – Torres
Workshops for Rural Communities
Beyond legal aid, CRLA also hosts workshops on tenant rights, employment law, and interactions with police and immigration authorities in multiple languages.
“The Constitution applies to everyone, regardless of immigration status. We want to make sure people know what steps they can take to protect themselves and their families.” – Torres
Beyond Sonoma County
These systemic barriers do not end in Sonoma County, and neither does our fight for justice. From Santa Rosa to communities across rural California, our offices are working to protect housing rights, workers' rights, and dignity across California. Together, our Rural Justice Centers form a power grid – or as we call it, a Justice Grid – connecting rural Californians to CRLA, legal services, education, and other resources.
Now more than ever, CRLA remains committed to our vision of a just and equitable world where all communities prosper, and we will continue to dismantle unjust systems through community lawyering.
To support CRLA's mission, please visit crla.org/donate.
