A Practical Approach to Access to Justice: The BRIDGE Foundation of Santa Cruz County

The BRIDGE Foundation of Santa Cruz County, a 501(c)(3) organization cofounded by public defenders, is taking a practical approach to addressing Access to Justice. BRIDGE provides small, targeted material grants to people moving through the criminal legal system, with an average grant of approximately $75.

This foundation was recently brought to the College’s attention by one of our newly inducted Fellows, Public Defender Heather Rogers, who is among the organization’s founders. BRIDGE held its public launch on August 20 at Natural Bridges Farm in partnership with the Homeless Garden Project.

During a quiet pilot phase, BRIDGE raised more than $10,000 and provided grants to sixteen adults and young people. One recent grant illustrates the organization’s approach: A young person who had not connected with conventional talk therapy asked to try equine-assisted therapy. BRIDGE funded a single introductory session. After hearing about the experience, a community member stepped forward to fund a full year of therapy.

BRIDGE is intentionally independent. It is not a county agency and accepts no public funds, allowing it to address material, educational and treatment needs that traditional public funding may not reach.

The organization’s model reflects an important dimension of access to justice: removing practical barriers that can make it harder for people to navigate the criminal legal system and move forward with their lives. Although the grants are modest, they can provide a critical bridge to employment, treatment, education and other resources.

The model is also designed to be replicable. BRIDGE believes that similar programs could be developed in other jurisdictions with a defender office and a network of community members willing to provide targeted support.

The College appreciates learning about innovative, community-based approaches to access to justice through the work of its Fellows. BRIDGE offers one example of how members of the legal community are working beyond the courtroom to address the practical challenges faced by people involved in the justice system.