To promote social change and justice by providing high quality legal services to the low-income community.
To promote social change and justice by providing high quality legal services to the low-income community.
GBLA provides free, civil, legal services to low-income and elderly persons residing in Kern County California. Established in 1968, GBLA’s founding philosophies are deeply rooted with antipoverty programs. We represent those who are unable or too afraid to speak for themselves, either because of racial, economic, social, or legal barriers and consequently have become mere statistics in social and economic research data. GBLA’s services are delivered through the following projects:
Rural Legal Assistance Program: This program increases access to GBLA’s full range of legal services related to health, housing, income maintenance, consumer issues and/or domestic abuse to low-income individuals living in the traditionally underserved (and isolated) communities of Kern County.
Kern Health Consumer Center: Partnered with the Health Consumer Alliance (HCA), this project addresses the health-related barriers of Kern County residents by overcoming access problems to healthcare coverage, including Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California, and private insurance. Health-related barriers may include:
Public Benefits: GBLA assists low-income individuals and families overcome barriers to public benefit programs (e.g. CalWORKs, CalFresh, and General Assistance) to ensure they have sufficient resources to meet the necessities of life. Barriers may include:
Guardianship: GBLA assists caregivers obtain guardianship over children to prevent further exposure to domestic violence, child abuse, and neglect. GBLA assists persons at nearly every stage of a guardianship matter, from petition drafting to post-letter situations.
Domestic Violence Reduction Project: This project protects persons from further exposure to domestic violence, child abuse and/or neglect by obtaining legal protective orders (commonly known as a Restraining Order), child custody and visitation orders (where applicable), representing clients in court, and making referrals to other services when necessary.
Sargent Shriver Housing Project: This project prevents homelessness by defending low-income tenants in the unlawful detainer (eviction) process when the landlord is represented by an attorney and the eviction venue is within Metro Bakersfield. Defense may include representation at various stages of litigation such as hearings, discovery, trial, and settlement.
Homeless Prevention Project: This project prevents homelessness by defending low-income tenants in the unlawful detainer (eviction) process throughout Kern County regardless of whether the landlord is represented by an attorney. Defense may include representation at various stages of litigation such as hearings, discovery, trial, and settlement. This project also assists tenants who have received certain pre-eviction termination notices.
Seniors Law Center: This program provides direct civil legal assistance to Kern County’s socially and economically needy residents who are 60 years of age or older. Services may include resolving issues related to health, housing, consumer law, and elder abuse.
Social Security: GBLA assists eligible individuals through the entire disability benefit application process. Some eligible individuals are referred to social services and medical agencies while GBLA builds support for the disability application. GBLA’s services may include the drafting and filing of applications, appeals, reconsiderations, reinstatements, and recertifications. GBLA may coordinate with government offices for pending applications, appeals, reconsiderations, reinstatements, and recertifications. GBLA may also represent individuals throughout the disability application process, appeals submission, and related hearings.
Fair Housing Law Project: This project provides fair housing education, outreach, investigation, and enforcement services for Kern County residents who have been victims of illegal housing discrimination, regardless of income. When fair housing investigations yield evidence of illegal discrimination, this project may represent victims in administrative agency complaints and litigation.
Eviction Prevention Program: This program enhances housing security through legal representation, education, and resource referrals. Legal representation is available to eligible, low-income tenants (< 120% of the federal poverty level) within Bakersfield city limits. General information about California housing law is offered to the public through community presentations.
Homeless Court: Locally, GBLA acts as the Kern County Homeless Court Coordinator and is a proud partner of the Superior Court of California, County of Kern, the Kern County Public Defender’s Office, and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office. As the Kern County Homeless Court Coordinator, GBLA facilitates referrals for this vital program. Homeless courts assist participants resolve outstanding criminal matters, such as infractions, misdemeanors, and low-level felonies. Homeless individuals may avoid attending superior court due to fear, even though unresolved criminal records significantly hinder reintegration into society, accessing social services, obtaining a driver’s license, and securing stable employment and housing. By addressing legal issues, homeless courts reduce superior court backlogs and decrease vagrancy.
Tenants’ Rights Clinic: GBLA collaborates with Monterey College of Law to teach a remote legal clinic addressing tenants’ rights. GBLA attorneys train Monterey College of Law students to provide general information about landlord-tenant law to Kern County tenants who call the clinic. Under the supervision of GBLA attorneys, law students have one-on-one phone appointments with tenants seeking general information about rent-increase notices, termination notices, repair requests, and other housing concerns. The clinic is open to all tenants residing in Kern County, regardless of income.
Volunteer Attorney Program: This program’s goal is to advance GBLA’s mission with private attorney involvement. GBLA may achieve this goal by: (1) recruiting California-licensed attorneys in good standing to volunteer for any GBLA project, and (2) utilizing the State Bar of California’s Practical Training of Law Students Program.
The ideal candidate for GBLA’s board of directors is a dedicated and passionate individual with a strong commitment to social justice and community service, particularly in the realm of legal aid. They should possess a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by residents of Kern County, including issues related to poverty, access to legal resources, and systemic inequalities. Professional experience in law, public policy, or nonprofit management is highly desirable, as is a track record of effective leadership and collaboration within diverse communities. This candidate should be a strategic thinker, able to guide the organization in navigating complex legal landscapes while fostering partnerships that enhance GBLA’s mission. Above all, they must be a compassionate advocate for those in need, bringing both empathy and a results-oriented approach to their role on the board.