Volunteer Your time and talents to Help at-risk YoutH
Senior Counsel Section
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over 50,000 hours of pro bono legal services representing more than 1,700 disadvantaged children and young adults in our community .
Crossroads ’ attorneys provide counseling and advocacy , both in the courtroom and in the community , to help their youth clients persevere and succeed . No prior juvenile law experience is necessary because Crossroads provides training and mentoring , professional liability insurance , and new volunteers are paired with experienced lawyers for client representations .
These kids need our help . As lawyers , we are in a unique position to help change the trajectory of their lives through our skills in counseling and advocacy . Our court and social services system is overburdened by children who end up “ in the system ,” oftentimes not because of anything they did wrong but rather because their parent or guardian abused , neglected or abandoned them . Many of Crossroads ’ clients are children in foster care .
Because of this trauma , children in foster care often have mental health problems and are more likely than other kids to pick up delinquency charges and later to be charged with criminal offenses .
Because the Thirteenth Circuit has outstanding dependency and delinquency judges , as well as a Juvenile Mental Health Court , we can provide kids with needed services ... especially if they have attorneys advocating for them . As a volunteer lawyer with Crossroads , you can help clients in foster care receive all the benefits and services they are entitled to . For clients with delinquency charges you will work with the child ’ s public defender to ensure speedy completion of any court-ordered sanctions . In addition to advocacy in court , you can mentor the child , work with their families , and help provide some of the necessities that the “ system ” is unable to provide . Often just a pair of shoes or a new shirt makes a difference in a child attending school , or not . Understanding this , Tampa Kiwanis Club and other organizations and individuals have generously donated funds to Crossroads for client needs .
Over the years , Crossroads has helped many children and young adults keep their hopes and dreams alive and realize their full potential . Even as an “ old ” lawyer , you can make a huge difference by handling cases or donating to Crossroads For Florida Kids , Inc . Your support for Crossroads will help make our community a better place . Please note that The Florida Bar allows members who are inactive or retired from active practice to participate in pro bono service as Emeritus Lawyers . 1
For more information about Crossroads For Florida Kids , please contact Executive Director Scott Tolliver at scott @ crossroads floridakids . org or 772-473-0800 . n
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See RRFB 12.1 Emeritus Lawyers Pro Bono Participation Program
Author : Gil Singer – Marcadis Singer , P . A .
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