Step Forward Foundation

Mission Statement

Step Forward Foundation’s mission is to provide pro bono legal services to uplift and empower marginalized, underrepresented, and underserved communities. Our legal services includes immigration, family, and employment law with a focus on survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and of other crimes. In the midst of the pandemic, we have added a Stop the Hate Initiative and Covid response to our work. Our goal is to further social justice by providing legal access and helping immigrants and survivors navigate the legal system.

Values:

Our vision is to help individuals who have been abused and marginalized to take a step forward towards their future. Our vision is to help survivors process their trauma, and empower and uplift individuals as they work towards their healing journey and regain control of their own lives. We envision a world where individuals are not being abused or victimized in their own home, at a workplace, or anywhere else.

Our office is dedicated to bringing hope and healing to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. With a highly trained and compassionate staff, we are well-equipped to work with clients with trauma and offer a victim-centered approach to ensure their needs are met with the utmost care and attention.

Our commitment to providing effective and zealous representation ensures that our clients receive the best possible outcome and can move forward with their lives with renewed confidence and strength.

DEI Statement:

We are deeply committed to diversity and cultural sensitivity, with 86% of our team and 75% of our board members identifying as people of color. Step Forward celebrates the diversity on our team to reflect the community that we serve. We strive for equity and justice through our IDEAL values: inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, learning, and liberation; and apply them to our practices.

We foster the IDEAL values an organization and within our team. We believe that by cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment, we can better serve our community and clients. We actively promote equitable practices, ensuring that every member of our team has a voice and is respected. Through accessible resources and ongoing internal efforts, we empower and value individuals within our organization.

Our dedication to these principles enables us to continuously enhance our services and serves as a testament to our pursuit of justice and equality.

Programs/Services:

Since its establishment in 2011, Step Forward Foundation’s mission has been to make a significant positive impact by offering pro bono legal services to marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities. Step Forward strives to empower, uplift, and help survivors of crimes regain the power and control of their lives. We guide clients through their legal journey as they process their trauma and embark on the next step of their lives, free from harm and hurt.

Step Forward Foundation provides pro bono legal services and representation to clients in the following practice areas: 1) immigration; 2) family; 3) employment; and 4) hate crimes. We specialize in working with survivors of crimes, in particular, domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assaults, and other crimes.

Ideal Candidate:

Step Forward Foundation is seeking a passionate person to join our board. The ideal candidate will work closely with our Executive Director enhance our organization. SFF is at a point of pivotal growth, so the ideal candidate is a board member who is excited to help a small nonprofit grow and evolve in its next stages through board development, organizational development, accounting, fundraising, marketing campaigns, strategic planning, and best practices for a nonprofit. The ideal candidate would have some experience serving on a nonprofit board and has the energy to assist and help lead SFF’s growth. SFF is also prioritizing individuals with lived experiences that can provide perspective of the underrepresented and marginalized communities that SFF serves so the community has an active voice on our board.

Why you should consider joining this board:

SFF is at an exciting turning point in its journey, and we’re inviting you to be a part of it! As we experience remarkable growth and stability—having increased our financial standing by over 150%—new board members will play a crucial role in shaping the next chapters of our organization and, more importantly, the lives of those we serve.

Joining our Board of Directors means you’ll have a direct impact on the evolution of a leading pro bono legal aid organization dedicated to transforming the lives of immigrants and survivors. Your expertise can help guide us as we continue to rebuild and expand our reach, ensuring that survivors have access to justice and can regain power and control over their lives.

Our Board of Directors meets quarterly, with a commitment of at least two hours each month, offering you the chance to collaborate with a passionate team dedicated to making a significant difference in our community. Plus, you’ll be part of an ethical framework that prioritizes integrity and transparency.

If you’re eager to leverage your skills and make a meaningful impact, now is the time to join us. Together, let’s empower individuals to write their next chapters and create lasting change in our community! Your voice and vision can help us achieve incredible things—come be a part of our journey!

Fundraising/Financial Commitment:

None at this time.

Additional Information:

None Provided

To Apply:

Year Founded:

2011

Service Region(s):

Central Coasts Area, Central Valley Area, Sacramento and Northern California, San Francisco Area, Statewide

Service Area(s):

Access to Justice, Children & Youth, Domestic Violence, Family Law, Immigration, Racial Justice, Workers Rights

Annual Revenue:

$1 million – $5 million

Employees:

11-25

Board Members:

1-5

Length of Board Term:

None at this time.

Board Meeting Type:

Hybrid (both virtual and in-person)

Service Per Month Expected:

Less than 5 hours

Board Meetings Per Year:

Quarterly (4 times per year) remotely; but may have one in-person meeting per year in the future.