2025-10-02T06:55:27-05:00 2024-12-31 910870697 AIKEN & SANDERS INC PS 324 S MAIN ST UNIT A MONTESANO WA 985634502 990 2024-01-01 911537479 LAW ADVOCATES LAWA 3606716079 PO BOX 937 BELLINGHAM WA 98227 ZIAD YOUSSEF BOARD TREASURER 3606716079 2025-10-02 1 0 NIKOLE WELLS CPA P01409848 3605333370 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z ZIAD YOUSSEF PO BOX 336 BELLINGHAM WA 98227 727091 0 X WWW.LAWADVOCATES.ORG X 1987 WA TO PROVIDE FREE CIVIL LEGAL AID THROUGH VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS AND GRANT FUNDED PROGRAMS TO WHATCOM COUNTY RESIDENTS AT OR BELOW 200% FEDERAL POVERTY LEVELS. 9 9 4 83 0 0 440272 607285 0 0 49 26 0 85762 440321 693073 0 0 0 0 216289 211752 0 0 40365 250554 343806 466843 555558 -26522 137515 124242 249442 45394 33079 78848 216363 X TO PROVIDE FREE CIVIL LEGAL AID. 0 0 385382 LAW ADVOCATES OPERATES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN PURSUIT OF ITS VISION OF: A COMPASSIONATE AND JUST SOCIETY WHERE LEGAL AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS ARE WORKING TOGETHER, IN EQUITABLE PARTNERSHIP WITH AFFECTED COMMUNITIES, TO ACHIEVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL MARGINALIZED PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY AND RACIAL EQUITY.THESE SERVICES INCLUDE FULL REPRESENTATION, LIMITED SCOPE REPRESENTATION, AND LEGAL ADVICE. THE PROGRAMS OPERATED INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:KINSHIP CUSTODY CLINIC: THIS CLINIC ENSURES CHILDREN'S NEEDS ARE MET WHEN PARENTS ARE UNABLE TO CARE FOR THEM. LAW ADVOCATES AND OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL MEET THIS NEED WITH A COMMITTED AND COMPASSIONATE LEGAL TEAM TO HELP CAREGIVERS NAVIGATE THE COURTS IN GUARDIANSHIP CASES. WILLS CLINIC: IN OUR WILLS CLINIC, OUR DEDICATED PRO BONO ATTORNEYS DRAFT SIMPLE WILLS AND POWER OF ATTORNEYS FOR CLIENTS WHO ARE SENIORS, WITH DISABILITIES AND/OR TERMINALLY ILL. STREET LAW: STREET LAW (LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC) RETURNED TO IN-PERSON SESSIONS THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BELLINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY. WITH DEDICATED VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS ADVISING ON FAMILY, LANDLORD-TENANT AND GENERAL LEGAL MATTERS, LAW ADVOCATES WITNESSED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN BOTH ATTORNEY VOLUNTEERS AND CLIENTS SERVED.IN COLLABORATION WITH WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGES PARALEGAL PROGRAM, STREET LAW AT WCC RESUMED ITS OPERATIONS. THIS PARTNERSHIP FACILITATED LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO 649 CLIENTS THROUGHOUT 2024, FURTHER EXTENDING OUR REACH AND IMPACT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.CONSUMER DEBT CLINIC: LAW ADVOCATES, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NORTHWEST JUSTICE PROJECT (NJP), OPERATED A CONSUMER DEBT CLINIC AT THE WHATCOM COURTHOUSE. HELD TWICE MONTHLY, THIS CLINIC OFFERS CONSULTATIONS AND DIRECT REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS NAVIGATING ISSUES SUCH AS DEBT COLLECTION, GARNISHMENT, MEDICAL DEBT, AND CHARITY CARE. YOUTH SERVICES CLINIC: LAW ADVOCATES, IN COLLABORATION WITH NORTHWEST YOUTH SERVICES (NWYS) OPERATES A VITAL SERVICE AT GROUND FLOOR, NWYS DROP-IN CENTER, PROVIDING LEGAL COUNSEL AND DEMONSTRATING A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THE CIVIL LEGAL NEEDS OF UNSTABLY HOUSE OR HOMELESS YOUTH.ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE FOLLOWING GUIDING VALUES: RACIAL EQUITY: WE RECOGNIZE THAT HISTORICAL AND INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM IS ONGOING IN OUR SOCIETY, THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. WE ALSO RECOGNIZE HISTORICAL AND ONGOING INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION TARGETS OTHER MARGINALIZED AND MINORITY COMMUNITY GROUPS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMMIGRANTS, WOMEN, PEOPLE WITHDISABILITIES, NON-HETEROSEXUAL AND NON-BINARY INDIVIDUALS AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THIS DISCRIMINATION IN LAW.ADVOCATES' STRATEGIC PLANNING, POLICY- AND PRIORITY- SETTING PROCESS AS WELL AS LISTENING TO AND COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WITH DIVERSE CONSTITUENCIES SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THE LEGAL SERVICES MOST CRITICALLY NEEDED BY THOSE MOST IN NEED OF LEGAL HELP.EMPOWERMENT: "JUSTICE FOR ALL" REQUIRES ACCESS, KNOWLEDGE OF THE SYSTEM, AND DIRECT ACTION. WE SUPPORT AND EMPOWER CLIENTS AND COMMUNITIES WITH HOPE, PRACTICAL INFORMATION, AND TOOLS TO DEAL WITH HOUSING, SOCIAL SERVICES, DEBT, ABUSE, WORKPLACE, AND FAMILY ISSUES TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE. COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT IS A RECOGNITION THATDECISIONS AFFECTING OUR CLIENT COMMUNITIES MUST BE MADE BY THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS RATHER THAN BY AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.EDUCATION: WHEN SUPPORT IS NEEDED TO INTERPRET LEGAL INFORMATION, WE SHOW CLIENTS HOW TO NAVIGATE PATHWAYS TO JUSTICE AND RELIEF. WE CHAMPION CLIENTS AND THEIR NEEDS WITH DIGNITY, HOPE AND PERSEVERANCE. WE PROVIDE COMMUNITY EDUCATION ON MATTERS THAT AFFECT LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS.ADVOCACY: FREE OR ACCESSIBLE LEGAL SERVICES ARE CRITICAL PATHWAYS TO JUSTICE. OUR VOLUNTEERS, PROFESSIONAL LAWYERS AND STAFF EMPOWER PRO SE CLIENTS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND REMEDIES TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD, AND WHEN APPROPRIATE, ADVOCATE SKILLFULLY TO CHANGE SITUATIONS OF VIOLENCE, DEBT OR UNJUST CONDITIONS IN THE HOME, AT WORK, SCHOOL, OR COMMUNITY.SERVICE: PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE AND DIGNITY ARE STRONGEST WHEN COMMUNITIES UPHOLD THEM ACTIVELY. WE CONNECT QUALITY LAWYERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN WHATCOM COUNTY WITH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO UPHOLD THE PROMISE OF EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL. 385382 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 0 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 9 9 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 WA X LAW ADVOCATES 3606716079 PO BOX 937 BELLINGHAM WA 98227 DAVID HENKEN BOARD PRESIDENT 4.00 X X 0 0 0 ZIAD YOUSSEF BOARD TREASURER 4.00 X X 0 0 0 ARUNDEL PRITCHETT BOARD SECRETARY 4.00 X X 0 0 0 ZAC BRYANT BOARD VICE PRESIDENT 4.00 X 0 0 0 JUNGA CHA BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 GAIL SMITH BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 ALEJANDRA CABRALES BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 ADAM ENGST BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 KIRSTEN BARRON BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 HEIDI BODE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 84000 0 0 84000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 41220 566065 281106 607285 26 26 119780 41220 34018 85762 85762 693073 0 0 85788 187110 78820 72097 36193 8970 4036 3050 1884 15672 7052 5329 3291 7300 7300 14860 14860 2054 2054 2234 2159 75 2113 613 1500 6686 75 6429 182 3556 3556 4401 1042 3318 41 15489 15489 1282 1282 INKIND PROGRAM PROFESSI 281106 281106 EVENT EXPENSE 34018 1107 309 32602 EQUIPMENT REPAIR & MAIN 1519 1519 BANK, DUES AND FEES 1206 18 998 190 -34018 -34018 555558 385382 129811 40365 81856 224294 4824 3000 16694 2360 64423 64423 1080 0 19788 19788 124242 249442 25417 27767 19977 5312 45394 33079 X 78848 216363 78848 216363 124242 249442 137515 0 X X 1 X 0 0 0 X 368718 473618 281475 440272 607285 2171368 368718 473618 281475 440272 607285 2171368 2171368 229 69 53 49 26 426 2171794 246883 0.99980 0.99950 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 64423 64423 0 0 RIGHT OF USE ASSET 19788 19788 RIGHT OF USE LIABILITY 5312 5312 X PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION. THE ORGANIZATION FILES INCOME TAX RETURNS IN THE U.S. FEDERAL JURISDICTION. THE ORGANIZATION IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX EXAMINATIONS BY TAX AUTHORITIES FOR THE YEARS BEFORE 2021. CURRENTLY, THERE IS NO EXAMINATION OR PENDING EXAMINATION WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS). AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024, THERE ARE NO TAX POSITIONS FOR WHICH THE DEDUCTIBILITY IS CERTAIN BUT FOR WHICH THERE IS UNCERTAINTY REGARDING THE TIMING OF SUCH DEDUCTIBILITY. GALA 161000 41220 119780 17295 16723 161000 41220 119780 17295 16723 34018 85762 X PRO-BONO LEGAL SERVICES 873 281106 FMV OF PROFESSIONAL 0 0 0 PART I, COLUMN (B): 873 HOURS PROVIDED BY 55 LICENSED ATTORNEYS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION INDICATE THERE WILL BE 2 CLASSES OF MEMBERS. THE FIRST SHALL CONSIST OF ANY ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION AND WHO HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WITHOUT CHARGE, THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE CORPORATION TO FURTHER ITS PURPOSES, WHICH ARE NAMELY TO: A: ESTABLISH PROGRAMS AND CONDUCT ACTIVITIES WHICH ENCOURAGE AND ORGANIZE ATTORNEYS TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WITHOUT CHARGE. B. ESTABLISH PROGRAMS AND CONDUCT ACTIVITIES WHICH EDUCATE AND ENABLE LOW INCOME PEOPLE TO ACT FOR THEMSELVES IN SOLVING THEIR LEGAL PROBLEMS. THE SECOND CLASS OF MEMBERS SHALL BE MADE UP OF UP TO SEVEN NON-ATTORNEY RESIDENTS OF WHATCOM COUNTY WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO SE1VE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A BYLAWS INDICATE THAT MEMBERS OF WHATCOM COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION WHO PARTICIPATE AS LAW ADVOCATES VOLUNTEERS ARE MEMBERS WHO ELECT THE BOARD OF THE ORGANIZATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B A COPY OF FORM 990 WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE BOARD AFTER IT WAS COMPLETED BY OUR INDEPENDENT CPA AND IT WAS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD MEMBERS BEFORE SUBMISSION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE ORGANIZATION UTILIZES A WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY THAT CLEARLY DEFINES AN "INTERESTED PERSON AND "FINANCIAL INTEREST". THE POLICY REQUIRES DISCLOSURE BY ANY BOARD MEMBER AND/OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO HAS DIRECT OR INDIRECT FINANCIAL INTEREST. THE DISCLOSURE MUST INCLUDE THE NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INTERESTED PARTY AND THE CONFLICT ITSELF. THE POLICY ALSO REQUIRES DISCLOSURE BY THE BOARD AND/OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IF THEY HAVE REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT AN INTERESTED PARTY HAS FAILED TO DISCLOSE THEIR INTEREST. THE BOARD EXERCISES DUE DILIGENCE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ORGANIZATION CAN OBTAIN WITH REASONABLE EFFORTS A MORE ADVANTAGEOUS TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT FROM A PERSON OR ENTITY THAT WOULD GIVE RISE TO A POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION. THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WAS HIRED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCESS THAT INCLUDED PUBLICATION THROUGH MULTIPLE VENUES. RESUMES VETTED BY OUR HIRING COMMITTEE AND IN PERSON INTERVIEW WITH SEVERAL HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 18 THE FEDERAL FORM 990 IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION ONLINE AT WWW.GUIDESTAR.COM. IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WITH INQUIRIES UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE BOARD MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC ACCESS UPON REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND THEY PROVIDE COPIES IN A REASONABLE TIME AND MANNER. FORM 990. PART XII. LINE 2C THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE PRIOR YEAR.