One of our recent legal clients here at Communities Rise (CR) was FEEST (Food Empowerment, Education, and Sustainability Team). FEEST is a small Seattle-based nonprofit that trains youth of color and working-class youth to bring about systemic change in their schools.
FEEST was one of several local nonprofits involved in the White Center Community Development Association’s HUB Project. At the time, this project was in its early planning stages, and the project’s purpose was to build affordable housing and a large community center that will contain a range of social services for the White Center community—one of the most racially diverse areas in Washington State.
FEEST sought timely legal help from CR regarding a contract related to their participation in the HUB Project. CR was able to quickly identify an experienced pro bono attorney who could counsel FEEST. This allowed FEEST to move forward with the contract while confidently protecting its interests in being a part of this major community project.
FEEST’s Executive Director, Jaimée Marsh, appreciated CR as a key community partner in this effort and others. “I’ve always looked at CR as a place to brainstorm on how to do processes which I have not done before. Because of our small size, we don’t have a lawyer, and I know I can turn to CR. I appreciated that our board members were also able to join and learn from the attorney.”
The attorney who advised FEEST, Matthew J. Reinikka, of the law firm Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC was enthusiastic about his experience as a CR volunteer attorney: “Assisting clients like FEEST that are so committed to serving our community with their essential transactional legal needs not only supports those organizations’ missions but also enriches my practice. I am grateful to Communities Rise for connecting attorneys with pro bono clients to further the important work of such organizations.”
Unlike other civil legal aid organizations, Communities Rise is unique in that it provides legal assistance to nonprofits and small businesses, rather than individuals. CR is also unique in that leverages Washington’s community of corporate lawyers and firms to lift up and help build stronger communities. FEEST’s story is a prime example of the types of legal issues and projects that CR supports clients with every day.