CEO and Managing Attorney at Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS) - , Arizona, United States
ALWAYS is a nonprofit legal center committed to opening the doors to justice for young people impacted by homelessness, abuse, and the foster care system, and survivors of human trafficking. ALWAYS provides no cost legal services to empower vulnerable young people and trafficking survivors as they seek to increase their own safety, stability, and self-sufficiency through the justice system. History: ALWAYS was established in 2013 as a response to the unmet legal needs of young people who are on their own as a consequence of running away or being separated from their own families. Many youth end up on their own because of physical violence, sexual assault, or substance abuse in their own home. All too often Arizona's youth are left to survive on their own due to family crisis, and end up harmed by other forms of exploitation and abuse. While organizations have long existed to help vulnerable Arizonans meet their housing, education, and basic needs, there were no organizations devoted to providing legal assistance to stand with them as they seek to eliminate legal obstacles to their safety, stability, and self-sufficiency. Whether in family court, an immigration office, or a city court or administrative hearing, our clients have greater opportunity with a lawyer standing with them. Today, ALWAYS is hard at work each day ensuring that the doors to justice are always open for vulnerable youth and survivors of trafficking.