Executive Report

As some of you know, this past month I turned 60. As I celebrate the ageing, I'm also reflective of CRLA's history-and on what this organization means to rural people as we go forward in 2012.

I was recently asked by The Chicana/o Latina/o Law Review (published by the UCLA Law School) to write a follow up paper to a 1972 article by Cruz Reynoso titled "California Rural Legal Assistance: Survival of a Poverty Law Practice." In the 2011 essay "California Rural Legal Assistance: Rationed Justice and the Continued Survival of a Poverty Law Practice" - I look back on 40 years of CRLA's persistent relevance as the authority on delivering legal and crucial civil rights services to poor people and farmworkers in California.

While we've certainly had many monumental wins over those 40+ years, the reality is that rural poverty has increased in California. In rural communities and rural-connected cities across the state, working people are still fighting to win basic civil rights and a dignified quality of life.

In Fresno, the percentage of people living below the poverty line is at 26.8% and rising, and in Imperial County the unemployment rate hovers at 30%! Factor in the cyclical nature of California's agriculturally-based economy; social service cuts; lack of government oversight around housing and working conditions; and rising anti-immigrant sentiment-and I can tell you without a doubt that CRLA continues to be relevant.

If you've ever worked for or with CRLA, or if you've been a client, please take a moment to sign up for our Alumni mailing list.

Take a moment to read both of these historic pieces, and to think back on CRLA's journey.

What was the experience or the moment that made you decide to stand alongside us in the fight for a better California.

What's your CRLA story? Check out our new video >>

Adelante!

José R. Padilla, Esq.
Executive Director
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.