There’s Still Time to Make Your Year-End Gift!
As the year comes to a close, it’s not too late to make a difference. You can still make a 100% tax-deductible donation to support the nearly 19,000 children and youth we serve in California’s foster care systems.
This year, CLC faced devastating budget cuts, putting our critical work in jeopardy and intensifying the challenges we face. Despite these cuts, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure no child falls through the cracks. Your support is more vital than ever—together, we can provide the resources and advocacy these children need to succeed.
We’ve always said, “We can’t do this without you,” and today, that couldn’t be more true.
Uplift With A Gift Was A Success!
Thanks to our community’s generosity, CLC was able to spread holiday cheer to over 200 families!
A sincere thank you to everyone who donated to our 19th annual Uplift with a Gift program. Our deserving clients are smiling brighter this holiday season because of you.
So many neighbors, organizations, and businesses came together to make this a joyous season for young people in foster care. We are grateful to the Good+Foundation, Girl Scout Troop 9705, Ticket to Dream Foundation, Hive Watch Security, The Duncan family, Alosta Brewing, the Sheets family, and many, many others for donating thousands of gifts!
It’s not too late to give! Please click the link below for details on how to give monetarily or purchase items from our Amazon wish list.
CLC needs gifts year-round to celebrate birthdays, graduations, and other celebrations with our clients.
CLC At The United Nations!
CLC was represented recently at the United Nations! Peer Advocate Ricardo Ortega Martinez visited the UN headquarters in New York City for a child abuse symposium called “Commitment to Action: Ensuring Sustainable Action to End Violence Against Children.”
Her Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Madeleine of Sweden works in partnership with the World Childhood Foundation to bring this topic to the United Nations. Ricardo was able to speak with HRH Princess Madeleine about CLC’s Peer Advocate program and the importance of empowering and involving youth with lived experiences at the table.
Over 120 countries made commitments to Ensuring Sustainable Action to End Violence Against Children.
Bravo!
Employee Recognition Luncheon
CLC hosted an employee recognition lunch to honor our outstanding staff members, many of whom have dedicated years of service to the organization.
A special recognition was given to CLC4 Firm Director, Princess Ramey, Conflict Panel Investigator, Maribel Rodriguez, and Southern California Regional Director, David Estep, who have all dedicated 30 years of service to CLC!
We are grateful to our staff every day for their commitment to CLC and to our clients. Thank you for all you do as champions for children.
End Of Year Goodbyes
Goodbye Brenda, Hello Judge Dabney!
Brenda Dabney, CLC’s former Northern California Regional Director, is amongst the Governor’s most recent Judicial appointees. Though her departure is a big loss for CLC, we could not be happier for her new chapter! The fact that her entire legal career has been with CLC is testament to the value of our work and the experience that one acquires in our practice.
Brenda wore many hats at CLC. She started as a law clerk in CLCLA 3, then became a staff attorney and then was promoted to supervisor. She briefly stepped away from the courtroom to work on one of CLC’s first grant-funded initiatives, Home at Last. When the opportunity came for CLC to branch out, Brenda was selected to help set up and lead the Sacramento office. She, her husband, and young son made the move to Sacramento, and as they say – the rest is history.
Judge Brenda Dabney has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Sacramento County Superior Court. Please join us in congratulating Brenda on this exciting accomplishment.
Farewell Lloyd!
After 36 years of dependency practice, CLC1 Attorney Supervisor Lloyd Bedell has retired. His first day at CLC was 17 years ago and he admits he was uncertain about whether he could adhere to the rules of working in a law firm after having been a solo practitioner for 25 years. However, immediately after accepting the offer to join CLC, the staff were so kind and welcoming that he felt it was a nice place to work. He planned to stay just a few years, but he says CLC grabbed ahold of him, and he had no desire to leave.
Lloyd says the community and collaboration between attorneys, supervisors, specialty units, and office staff all pull together to achieve the best possible results for our clients. The past seventeen years have been the most fulfilling time of his legal career.
We’ll miss you, Lloyd! Bravo on a job well done.
Donor Spotlight: Beis Luggage
Beis Luggage made an incredible impact this holiday season by donating over 250 pieces of luggage to CLC for our Uplift with a Gift Holiday program.
Each piece of luggage was packed with socks, hair care products, jewelry, hygiene products, and other essential items.
This generous gesture brought hope and joy to our clients during a time that can often feel uncertain and overwhelming. With the support of over 20 brand partners, the luggage and gifts created moments of happiness and relief for so many individuals and families.
We are deeply grateful to Beis for helping us uplift our clients and make the season brighter for those we serve. Thank you, Beis!