SAN DIEGO–Second Chance, a San Diego-based nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for self-sufficiency through job readiness training programs and comprehensive wrap-around services, is launching LawSuits.
The fundraiser, a friendly competition between San Diego law firms of all sizes, aims to garner donations and collect professional clothing for Second Chance Job Readiness Training program participants. LawSuits invites legal firms throughout San Diego County to participate in a three-week competition to collect both cash and new or gently-used suits for Second Chance clients. San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis joins Second Chance in launching the new fundraiser as honorary chair.
LawSuits, slated to begin March 18, will divide San Diego law firms into small, midsize and large categories, based on the number of legal professionals within each office, to compete against each other for the top collection numbers. The final collection numbers will combine monetary contributions and new or gently used suit donations. Complete suit sets donated (jacket and slacks or jacket and skirt) will be assigned a monetary value of $200. Individual pieces will be accepted, however will not count towards collection totals. At the end of the competition, winners will be selected from each category.
“The LawSuits campaign is a great opportunity for San Diego law firms to support a nonprofit that’s making a real difference in our own community, helping people become contributing members of society,” said San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. “I encourage attorneys and law firms to contribute and support Second Chance as it continues to open doors to local residents who have committed to finding self-sufficiency and changing their lives.”
Since its inception in 1993, Second Chance has graduated more than 5,000 individuals who are now working and paying taxes. These individuals come from hard-to-serve populations, including at-risk youth, homeless individuals, recovering addicts and the formerly incarcerated, to attend the Second Chance STRIVE/Job Readiness Training program and learn critical workforce skills getting them off the streets and into employment. The program develops appropriate workplace behavior, effective interviewing, job search techniques, and a positive outlook toward working and employment. With the necessary skills for obtaining a job, many graduates are only held back by the ability to purchase the proper attire for beginning employment – this is where LawSuits steps in.
The LawSuits collection window closes on April 5, and winners will be announced shortly after. The winning firms will receive two complimentary tickets to attend the Second Chance 20th Anniversary Gala to be held in October 2013 where each firm will be recognized for their contributions to LawSuits.
For more information about LawSuits, visit http://www.
