Dallas Bar Foundation

Filing Period

Jan 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011

Signed

Nov 15, 2012

Return Version

2011v1.3

Gross Receipts

$589,183

Mission

Major Activities

Activity 2

1. THE TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM INVOLVES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LAW FOCUSED EDUCATION. LAWYERS AND JUDGES VOLUNTEER TO OBSERVE AND EVALUATE THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION AND THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION WHICH IS HELD BY THE DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION. WINNERS IN THE STATE COMPETITION THEN COMPETE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. EACH YEAR 150 TEAMS COMPETE IN THE STATE COMPETITION AND FOR THE PAST 31 YEARS, OVER 108,000 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE MOCK TRIAL EXPERIENCE. 2. CASA, COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES, DEPENDS UPON QUALIFIED VOLUNTEERS TO ACT ON CHILDREN'S BEHALF IN THE COURTROOM AND AT MEDIATION. CASA RECEIVED A GRANT AWARD TO OFFSET THE COSTS OF CONDUCTING BACKGROUND CHECKS ON PROSPECTIVE VOLUNTEERS. 3. DALLAS VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM RECEIVED FUNDS TO PRODUCE A PRO SE FAMILY LAW BROCHURE WHICH GUIDES PRO SE LITIGANTS ABOUT THE BASICS OF FAMILY LAW AND HOW TO PROCEED IN FAMILY LAW CASES WHEN THEY DO NOT HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION. NO SUCH BROCHURE had EXISTED before. FAMILY LAW JUDGES WORKED WITH FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS TO WRITE SECTIONS OF THE BROCHURE. AS A RESULT OF THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, MORE PRO SE LITIGANTS WERE BEING SEEN IN FAMILY LAW COURT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND DID NOT QUALIFY FOR LEGAL AID FOR THE INDIGENT. THE BROCHURE WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO LEGAL AID OF NORTH TEXAS, COURT CLERKS, FAMILY LAW JUDGES, AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES PROVIDING ASSITANCE TO WOMEN AND FAMILIES. 4. MOSAIC FAMILY SERVICES WAS AWARDED A GRANT TO PROVIDE TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR CLIENTS NEEDING LEGAL SERVICES. MANY OF THEIR CLIENTS ARE FROM ASIAN COUNTRIES WITHOUT A SUPPORT SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES. OFTEN THEY ARE SEEKING ASSYLUM OR ARE VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. 5. TEXAS TENANT'S UNION RECEIVED A GRANT TO PUBLISH AN UPDATED HANDBOOK OF TENANTS' RIGHTS. THE HANDBOOK PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO CITIZENS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AS RENTERS AND AVOIDING SITUATIONS THAT MIGHT LEAD TO EVICTION. 6. THE ARC OF DALLAS WAS AWARDED A GRANT TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO PARENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN SO THEY COULD ATTEND THE CAREGIVER EDUCATION SERIES. TOPICS INCLUDED UNDERSTANDING THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT, WORKING WITH SCHOOLS, GUARDIANSHIP, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICES, EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION. 7. CRIMINAL JUSTICE FORUM HELD BY THE DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION WAS AWARDED A GRANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF BRINGING TOGETHER ALL MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS IMPORTANT ISSUES IN THE SYSTEM AND INITIATE SOLUTIONS. MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, PROSECUTORS, PUBLIC DEFENDERS, AND ATTORNEYS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE ATTENDED. 8. SUMMER LAW INTERN PROGRAM PROVIDES 30 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION WHILE PROVIDING A SUMMER JOB WITH A LOCAL LAW FIRM. THIS IS OFTEN THE FIRST EXPOSURE THE STUDENTS HAVE TO A PROFESSIONAL OFFICE ENVIRONMENT. THE STUDENTS ATTEND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS PROVIDED BY THE DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION DURING THE SUMMER. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ENCOURAGE THE STUDENTS TO COMPLETE SCHOOL AND ATTEND COLLEGE BY EXPOSING THEM TO THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO COLLEGE GRADUATES IN THE LEGAL FIELD. 9. GENESIS WOMEN'S SHELTER RECEIVED A GRANT FOR THE EMERGENCY CLIENT FUND WHICH ASSISTS WOMEN WITH THEIR LEGAL FEES WHEN THEY FIND THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS. THE FINANCIAL BURDEN TO LEAVE A VIOLENT RELATIONSHIP IS GREAT AND IT IS CRITICAL TO REMOVE ANY BARRIERS A WOMAN FACES WHEN MAKING A DECISION TO LEAVE. 10. HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVE PRINTED 3,000 BROCHURES FOR THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAM AND THE ASSYLUM PROGRAM TO DISTRIBUTE TO VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS. HUMAN RIGHTS INITITATIVE PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN SEEKING ASSYLUM FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN. OFTEN THEY ARE PRICED OUT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND NEED ASSISTANCE WITH LEGAL FEES. 11. THE DALLAS URBAN DEBATE ALLIANCE RECEIVED A GRANT TO PROVIDE SUMME

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