Post-election 2024 Statement: We Are Ready to Meet This Moment

To our communities:

CRLA is ready for this moment. For nearly 60 years, we’ve navigated administrations that have been partners in the war on poverty, administrations that have tried to shut us down, and administrations we’ve had to hold accountable.

Through it all, CRLA is still here, still fighting to end poverty, still committed to California’s rural communities, and still making very real impacts that move our nation closer to justice for all. Our resilience as an organization reflects the incredible resilience of our clients and the communities we serve.

Today we are more focused than ever on our mission to dismantle unjust systems through community lawyering.

Community lawyering enables us to do more than merely edit the letter of the law. Instead, communities lead us to new ways to define justice, make decisions, and prioritize human well-being in a changing world.

While we acknowledge our anxiety, uncertainty, and the work ahead, we also reaffirm our values:

We are radical

We creatively and courageously challenge the status quo to transform things once viewed as radical into the expectation.

We are community-led

We listen to, respect, and partner with our neighbors to shape our work, amplify their voices, and unlock our community power.

We are compassionate

We foster a mutually supportive, caring environment for our clients, colleagues, and ourselves, so together, we can make a positive impact.

We are committed to justice

We advance justice and honor dignity by fighting for fairness, empowerment, and meaningful systemic change alongside our clients, colleagues, and community members.

Take care of yourselves, take care of each other. Thank you for your continued support for CRLA and our team of over 200 strong statewide.
Together we will rise to the occasion and continue to co-create a just and equitable world where all communities prosper.

In solidarity,
Jessica M. Jewell
President & CEO