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A WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR During the summer months, the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center (KGACLC) focused on reconnecting with our “why”, learning, and Celebrating in preparation for a new academic year of educating, advocating, serving, and working in solidarity with low-income consumers, workers, and immigrants. This ENews will share about some of our preparation and also serve as an invitation for you to join us. The summer began with an Advisory Board Retreat and ended with a staff kick-off meeting. Read below about how Ignatian Center staff inspired and grounded us with a powerful and engaging discussions at both of these events. Why is KGACLC here? Our work is integrated with the University’s mission! We can’t do what we do without our alumni and friends, your support and positive energy keeps KGACLC strong. This summer we hosted many of you at our first ever Summer Open House, it was a time to connect, reflect, and just be with you! See a few photos below. Lastly, the connecting, learning, and Celebrating continues with a full fall season: September 18th at noon, you don’t want to miss our zoom MCLE on “Digital Crimes Affecting the Low-Income Community”, and perhaps all of us. September 29th at 4pm, we added an informative pre-Celebration MCLE, “From 1L’s to Leaders – Tools and Strategies for Addressing Implicit Bias in the Legal Profession. KGACLC is in a space of continuous learning. Hear from three KGACLC longtime supporters and gain valuable tools on how to deal with implicit bias. September 29th at 5:30pm, join our Annual Celebration, KGACLC’s first in-person event in over three years. Come Celebrate our honorees and let’s explore ways we can work together to move our mission forward. We are grateful for your ongoing support. Looking forward to connecting with you as we continue to build upon our “why”, learn, and Celebrate the privilege of working with the community to advance justice.
Be Blessed, Deborah Moss West JD ’94 Consider making a gift to keep our programs strong; we’d be quite grateful. KGACLC – MISSION INTEGRATION This summer, we explored the question of “why KGACLC” by reflecting on our vision, mission, and connection to the University. At both our annual Advisory Board Retreat and staff kick-off meetings, Margaret Higgins, Director-Mission Integration, led us through an insightful discussion (tailor made for KGACLC!) and conversation on how SCU’s Jesuit values apply to our work. At the outset, she shared that Santa Clara University aspires to be inclusive and create a sense of belonging and flourishing for all. Margaret further explained her role- “Mission Integration builds the relationships, structures, and programs that accompany faculty and staff of all faith traditions and human ideals from knowing our Jesuit, Catholic mission to claiming their role in cultivating the mission.” This framing created a safe place for discussion. Margaret then walked us through both SCU’s and KGACLC’s mission, asking open ended questions to help us explore connections. We then did an exercise considering the pillars in which a Jesuit education is grounded: Cura Personalis, Finding Love/God in All Things, Solidarity & Kinship, Faith Rooted in Justice, and Discernment and Reflection. She asked – How have you, or how might you in the future, experience [insert pillar] in your work with and for KGACLC? The exercise garnered much engagement as attendees shared how the pillars might be or are already embodied at KGACLC. Starting the new academic year with the Ignatian Center’s presentation further focused KGACLC on mission and gave us a vocabulary to name the values that inspire us to teach and serve. Thank you! SUMMER OPEN HOUSE A good time was had by all at KGACLC’s first ever Open House on Saturday, August 5th. Over 50 gathered for an afternoon of music, food, fun, and a photo trip down memory lane. Being in community with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters, surely energized. We loved hearing from students and alumni – what are they doing now, what does KGACLC do right, and what else they’d like to see? The best ideas and collaboration can come from informal conversation; the afternoon was abuzz. We were especially pleased to be joined by members of the Alexander family, whose generosity is felt throughout the Law School community. One of our very first administrative staff, Carmen Johnson, has stayed connected in one way or the other over the years. Ms. Carmen relayed at the event, “I am just glad to have contributed to the Law Center, to still be here, and to see the work thriving.” Thanks to the Alexander Family, Ms. Carmen, and others like her for creating the strong foundation in which KGACLC now stands.
JOIN THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION! Each year, the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center holds an event. The Celebration will include honoring exceptional individuals and organization(s) with community, commitment, and courage awards, an update on the Law Center’s work, much inspiration, and more! Thank you for your ongoing support that makes our work possible. Register here. 2023 CELEBRATION HONOREES Community Award Commitment Award Courage Award Email dblakely@scu.edu if you have any questions about the event or to donate or sponsor. YOUR VOLUNTEER AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT WILL HELP KGACLC:
Interested in volunteering with the Law Center, funding a fellowship or joining the Advisory Board? Contact Deborah Moss-West or Board Chair Delma Locke to learn more. We would like to hear from you.
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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center Phone: (408) 288-7030 | Fax: (408) 288-3581 |