Programs

What We Do and Why We Do It

I think the challenge is to figure out how we can breathe and live and share our faith without fear, yet give someone else space. It’s not enough just to be right and figure out the solution. It’s how do we create a solution that works for all of us, regardless of what our faith or politics are. We can find that common ground. The thing that’s so exciting at the Center for Justice is that we look at a problem and we try to get it solved in a way that works for people. We’re playing for people’s hearts and minds.--CFJ Chief Catalyst, Breean Beggs.

The Center for Justice is constantly evolving as we pursue our goals of bringing the experience of justice to all corners of the communities we serve. Because our primary mission is to help those who lack resources get access to the justice system, we carefully consider every request for assistance. But it’s also part of our mission to make the best use of our limited resources. We try to do this by paying particular attention to causes and cases that are more likely to have a signal or transcending effect toward achieving a more just, accountable, and environmentally sustainable society.

Community Advocacy coordinator Suellen Pritchard (left) and client-turned volunteer Stacey Green

Our assistance falls into two categories: direct representation and our Community Advocacy program. Our Community Advocacy program recognizes that not all people who require assistance need to file a lawsuit to obtain a just and timely resolution of their problem.

When we directly represent people, we usually do so for those who are unfairly denied consumer protection, employment, government benefits, housing, and public accommodation, as well as individuals and organizations seeking to preserve the rights of free expression and government disclosure. In addition, we aid those trying to protect the environment and we have a special focus on redressing police and other governmental misconduct.

Part of the Center’s evolution has been to sharpen our focus on environmental and land use issues in which all of us have a stake. Our Spokane River project is the centerpiece of this effort. Likewise, we have given increased attention to government accountability and transparency, so that all citizens can at least have the access to open meetings and public records to which the law entitles them. Our Open Government Accountability Project is the centerpiece of that effort.

Community Advocacy
Prison Project
Spokane River Project

Community Advocacy

Our Community Advocacy program helps low-income individuals with a variety of legal problems by connecting them with trained, non-lawyer advocates who work under an attorney’s supervision. View video of Stacey Green’s testimonial.

We deal most often with issues like:

• Landlord/tenant disputes
• Unpaid wages and employment issues
• Government benefits
• Driver’s relicensing
• Criminal record expungement
• Credit repair
• Consumer protection

Click here to read some of our stories.

While we would like to help everyone, our resources are limited. If you qualify for Community Advocacy, an advocate will work with you to establish a plan for resolving your problem. There is an administrative fee of $25, but it can be waived based on your financial situation.

The Prison Project

Our Prison Project aims to change the prison system to ensure inmates receive constitutionally adequate mental and physical health care

We collaborate with local professionals, agencies, and attorneys to approach institutions, inform them about the legal standard of care, and attempt to secure voluntary compliance with those standards.

In situations where voluntary compliance is not forthcoming, the project directly represents inmates not currently receiving legally sufficient mental and physical health care. Initially, we have focused our work on the Spokane County Jail and Airway Heights Corrections Center.

The Spokane River Project

Our community is blessed with abundant water. The Spokane River Project seeks to protect and restore our river and our aquifer by collaborating with other groups and individuals who share our conviction that we are all stewards of the Earth. Together, we educate, organize, and act to preserve these treasures for generations to come.

Street Law

It’s all about access to attorneys.

Our Street Law program offers you free consultations with attorneys and other legal professionals who volunteer to help people in need of legal advice. All you have to do is show up on any Saturday in June, July, or August from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Spokane’s Riverfront Park, just south of the carousel.

There are no income restrictions, all advice is free, and no question is out of bounds. Our volunteer attorneys will do their best to help you with any legal issues you may have.

The program is co-sponsored by the Center for Justice and the Spokane County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers program. For more information download this letter.