LET’S UNITE TO CLOSE THE JUSTICE GAP — ONCE AND FOR ALL

Millions of Americans face civil legal problems—such as unlawful evictions or incorrect medical bills—yet most never receive legal help. But there is hope in a big and unifying new idea: the community justice worker.
Community justice workers are frontline helpers trained to give timely, critical legal help on everyday issues that lawyers aren’t providing. They can be shelter volunteers, community health workers, or other trusted advocates.
Join us in transforming access to justice for everyday Americans.
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LET’S UNITE TO CLOSE THE JUSTICE GAP —ONCE AND FOR ALL

Tens of millions of Americans suffer from a hidden crisis of civil justice. But there is hope in a big and unifying new idea: the justice worker.
Join the Movement

LET’S UNITE TO CLOSE THE JUSTICE GAP —ONCE AND FOR ALL

Tens of millions of Americans suffer from a hidden crisis of civil justice. But there is hope in a big and unifying new idea: the justice worker.
Join the Movement
Jen's Story
What MAde It Possible

“

The opportunity to become a Community Justice WorkeR was a no brainer.”

Jen Paninagar Kiokun, a Community Justice Worker and member of the Qutekcak tribe in Alaska, helps people in her community access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which provide food assistance to families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Jen Paninagar Kiokun
Seward, Alaska
In November 2022 the Alaska Supreme Court was the first in the country to authorize a waiver that allows Community Justice Workers that are trained and supervised by Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) to provide legal advice and representation without a law license. Through this program and its work ALSC has helped Alaska residents access $5.5M in SNAP benefits, ending months-long delays in distribution.
Jen's Story
Why It Matters

“

The opportunity to become a Community Justice WorkeR was a no brainer.”

Jen Paninagar Kiokun, a Community Justice Worker and member of the Qutekcak tribe in Alaska, helps people in her community access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which provide food assistance to families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Jen Paninagar Kiokun
Seward, Alaska
In November 2022 the Alaska Supreme Court was the first in the country to authorize a waiver that allows Community Justice Workers that are trained and supervised by Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) to provide legal advice and representation without a law license. Through this program and its work ALSC has helped Alaska residents access $5.5M in SNAP benefits, ending months-long delays in distribution.

“

The opportunity to become a Community Justice WorkeR was a no brainer.”

Jen Paninagar Kiokun, a Community Justice Worker and member of the Qutekcak tribe in Alaska, helps people in her community access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which provide food assistance to families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Jen Paninagar Kiokun
Seward, Alaska
Reverend John's Story
What Made it Possible

“

Members of my community are shut out from ways to vindicate their own rights”

The Reverend John Udo-Okon is a pastor and Justice Advocate in the South Bronx, which has among the highest poverty and unemployment rates in New York. His assistance to community members’  debt collection cases is in addition to running a mobile food pantry and  other social and pastoral services.
Reverend John Udo-Okon
South Bronx, New York
Reverend John is a plaintiff in a civil rights lawsuit against New York State, Upsolve v. James, which challenges New York’s unauthorized practice of law (UPL) statute on First Amendment grounds. In 2022, a district court judge authorized him to begin helping people with debt collection cases with training and support from the nonprofit Upsolve while the case is on appeal in the Second Circuit.
Reverend John's Story
What Made it Possible

“

Members of my community are shut out from ways to vindicate their own rights”

The Reverend John Udo-Okon is a pastor and Justice Advocate in the South Bronx, which has among the highest poverty and unemployment rates in New York. His assistance to community members’  debt collection cases is in addition to running a mobile food pantry and  other social and pastoral services.
Reverend John Udo-Okon
South Bronx, New York
Reverend John is a plaintiff in a civil rights lawsuit against New York State, Upsolve v. James, which challenges New York’s unauthorized practice of law (UPL) statute on First Amendment grounds. In 2022, a district court judge authorized him to begin helping people with debt collection cases with training and support from the nonprofit Upsolve while the case is on appeal in the Second Circuit.
Rachel's Story
What Made it Possible

“

Increasing access to difficult systems through a familiar language is critical.”

Rachel Wagner is the Spanish-speaking Support Specialist at the Massachusetts Trial Court Service Center. The first person litigants encounter when they arrive, Rachel works to make the court an accessible and equitable environment for dozens of court users every day.
Rachel Sylvia Wagner
Boston, Massachusetts
Social justice organizations like the Court Service Centers (CSCs) have increasingly prioritized hiring staff members with a wide variety of language skills to cater to the demographics of the public. Be it Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Vietnamese, the CSC is part of a larger justice effort to make systems more accessible for non-native English speakers, combating systems that disadvantage people of color and those in poverty.
Reverend John's Story
What Made it Possible

“

Members of my community are shut out from ways to vindicate their own rights”

The Reverend John Udo-Okon is a pastor and Justice Advocate in the South Bronx, which has among the highest poverty and unemployment rates in New York. His assistance to community members’  debt collection cases is in addition to running a mobile food pantry and  other social and pastoral services.
Reverend John Udo-Okon
South Bronx, New York
Reverend John is a plaintiff in a civil rights lawsuit against New York State, Upsolve v. James, which challenges New York’s unauthorized practice of law (UPL) statute on First Amendment grounds. In 2022, a district court judge authorized him to begin helping people with debt collection cases with training and support from the nonprofit Upsolve while the case is on appeal in the Second Circuit.

“

At the end of the day, people want someone to listen to them, listen to their concerns, and try to move forward together.

”

Lori Anne Richards
Paralegal, Community Justice Worker
•
Hawai'i
Lori
's story

“

I feel like I build trust by being there for people and being somebody dependable who is going to show up when I say I’m going to show up and do what I say I’m going to do.

”

Kristin Kadaj
Paralegal, Community Justice Worker
•
Tampa
Kristin
's story

“

Oftentimes when people try to find legal aid in the hospital, there aren’t enough lawyers available to meet the demand. Help is not accessible in the way it should be.

”

Linda Johnson
Community Justice Worker
•
Alaska
Linda
's story

“

Most people will talk to me, but they’ll never talk to an attorney because they don’t identify with that as an option.

”

S.M. Kernodle-Hodges
Community Justice Worker
•
North Carolina
Kernodle
's story

“

”

Hayden Ramsey
Community Justice Worker
•
Montana
Hayden
's story

“

People have rights and part of my job is letting them know what those rights are.

”

Sara Freeman
Community Justice Worker
•
Alaska
Sara
's story
All Stories
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Featured Updates

News

Frontline Justice Launches Multi-State SNAP Advocacy Training Empowering Frontline Workers to Tackle the Growing Benefits Crisis.

October 5, 2026
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California Public Comments Submitted by Frontline Justice, Rebecca Sandefur, and Matthew Burnett

August 24, 2026

Summer 2026 Frontline Justice Exchange Newsletter

August 3, 2026

Latest News

Frontline Justice Launches Multi-State SNAP Advocacy Training Empowering Frontline Workers to Tackle the Growing Benefits Crisis.

October 5, 2026

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – October 5, 2026 – Frontline Justice has launched a new self-paced training to equip frontline workers with the knowledge and skills to help people who may be entitled to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits but have been wrongfully denied, had their benefits erroneously reduced, delayed, or cut off. 

‍

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Latest

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The State Bar of California’s Board of Trustees Votes to Recommend Statewide Community Justice Worker Program

September 18, 2026

Frontline Justice Nominated for Two American Legal Technology Awards

September 16, 2026

Wisconsin Petition Filed for Trainined Legal Advocates to Provide Authorized Legal Help

September 4, 2026

Practising Law Institute (PLI) Podcast: Alaska's Community Justice Workers

August 5, 2026

Upcoming Events

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Join our next community café!

Connect, collaborate and share insights at our monthly virtual Community Café, bringing together community justice workers, their allies, and anyone passionate about improving access to justice. Each Community Café features a guest speaker followed by interactive breakout sessions for in-depth discussions and collective brainstorming.
Check back soon while we schedule our next Community Café!

Events

Come to a Frontline Justice Event

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