Lauren Cruz's Fundraiser
Support MHAS' 2024 Annual Celebration
Help MHAS provide free legal services to low-income folks with mental health disabilities
Jan Messerschmidt
I donated in support of this campaign.
A supporter of Lauren Cruz
I donated in support of this campaign.
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Laura Marioni
"Love what you do Lauren!"
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Katherine Sinderson
"Happy to support Lauren and this important cause!"
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Jesse Jensen
I donated in support of this campaign.
$250
A supporter of Lauren Cruz
I donated in support of this campaign.
A supporter of Lauren Cruz
I donated in support of this campaign.
$100
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Mat de Carvalho
I donated in support of this campaign.
$100
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Megan Taggart
I donated in support of this campaign.
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Avi Josefson
I donated in support of this campaign.
$180
A supporter of Lauren Cruz
I donated in support of this campaign.
Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP
I donated in support of this campaign.
$2,000
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Steven Toll
I donated in support of this campaign.
$500
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Molly Bowen
"Glad to support Lauren and this important work!"
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Lauren Cruz
"One step closer to a world in which people with mental health disabilities thrive in the community, free from stigma, discrimination, and injustice."
$2,000
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Maria Davila
I donated in support of this campaign.
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Billy Freeland
"MHAS is doing such important work! Thank you, Lauren!"
$100
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Jeroen van Kwawegen
I donated in support of this campaign.
$100
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Benjamin Potts
I donated in support of this campaign.
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Jonathan Uslaner
"Amazing organization. Keep up the great work Lauren!"
$250
A supporter of Lauren Cruz
"Sounds like an amazing organization. Happy to help however I can. "
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Dale and Max Berger
"Go, Lauren! Thank you for supporting this cause. - Dale and Max Berger"
$500
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Rebecca Boon
I donated in support of this campaign.
$100
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Reid Horovitz
I donated in support of this campaign.
$100
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Lauren Cruz
"Proud to support such an amazing organization!"
$500
Make a Gift For Mental Health Advocacy Services 2024 Annual Celebration
Mental Health Advocacy Services (MHAS) provides free legal services to low-income adults and children with mental health disabilities in Los Angeles County. Since opening our doors in 1977, individual donors like you have been the fuel behind our vision of creating a world in which people with mental health disabilities thrive in the community, free from stigma, discrimination, and injustice.
THE PROBLEM
People living with mental illness often face stigma, discrimination, and a lack of adequate mental health resources and support. This creates additional challenges and barriers to stable housing, employment, income, and education. Here are some examples of how mental health impacts our communities:
- In California, 1 in 4 people experiencing homelessness have a severe mental health condition.
- 1 in 4 people with a serious mental illness have been arrested by the police at some point in their lifetime.
- 7 in 10 youth in the juvenile justice system have a mental health condition.
- 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6–17 experience a mental health disorder each year.
- Of the 1,562,000 adults in California who did not receive needed mental health care in 2020, 35.3% did not because of cost.
HOW MHAS ADDRESSES THESE ISSUES
The attorneys and other advocates at Mental Health Advocacy Services serve as a critical resource for folks living with mental illness by helping them understand and assert their legal rights. Through MHAS' free legal advice and counsel, low-income folks and their families can navigate complex legal systems and procedures to ensure that they have access to the services that they need to live with dignity and stability.
MHAS' team provides free legal assistance and representation in the areas of:
- HOUSING by fighting housing discrimination, obtaining reasonable accommodations, preventing evictions, increasing housing subsidies, and providing community presentations on tenant protections.
- EXPUNGEMENT of criminal records for folks who have been involved with the criminal justice system and now face barriers to employment and housing.
- PUBLIC BENEFITS so that folks have the financial resources to cover their basic needs.
- SPECIAL EDUCATION to ensure that children and youth with mental health disabilities receive the support and services they need to succeed academically.
- AND MORE!
OUR PARTNERS
Mental Health Advocacy Services partners with mental and physical health care providers, social service providers, and other legal aid organizations and community-based organizations to serve our clients more holistically. Once a provider identifies a legal need, a warm referral is made to an MHAS attorney. MHAS advocates often meet with clients in these same community spaces that they trust.
RECENT SUCCESS STORIES
Thank you in advance for supporting our mission through your donation!