Why the Community Justice Worker Program is Essential
Alaska, the largest and most rural state in the United States, faces a severe civil justice crisis (also known as a justice gap or legal desert), with only one Alaska Legal Services Corporation attorney available for every 10,000 Alaskans eligible for our services. Many communities lack local legal help and are off the road system, making it impossible to meet their needs without new, innovative solutions.
The below image of Alaska’s Justice Ecosystem: Building a Partnership of Providers story map offers an in-depth look at Alaska’s justice gap, highlighting how the state’s vast, disconnected communities and lack of a road system create additional barriers for Alaskans seeking access to justice-related services. These obstacles affect access to courts, lawyers and legal aid organizations.
That is why in 2019, ALSC launched the Community Justice Worker (CJW) program. Inspired by the tribal community health aid model, the CJW program trains local community members to provide legal assistance where it’s needed most, ensuring cultural understanding and accessibility. These community-embedded advocates are trained by ALSC to assist Alaskans who would otherwise lack access to civil legal help.
In 2023, ALSC established the Community Justice Worker Resource Center (CJWRC) to support the growing CJW network in Alaska and collaborate with partners in the Lower 48 to grow a nationwide CJW movement. With the recent passage of Alaska Bar Rule 43.5, the CJWRC is developing a curriculum and certification process to prepare CJWs to represent clients in court under the new waiver.
Become a Community Justice Worker
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? The CJWRC partners with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and Alaska Pacific University (APU) to provide online, self-paced, training courses for CJW’s to assist with specific legal issues. Training is provided at no cost for volunteers who agree to take at least one case through ALSC’s pro bono program or to share general legal information with their community.
Register today for one of our courses and become a Community Justice Worker providing essential legal assistance to those who need it most.
