Type of service: Legal services
Connecticut employees: 9 full-time, 2 part-time
Headquarters: Hartford
Top executive: Justine Rakich-Kelly
Nomination category: Nonprofit executive of the year
Justine Rakich-Kelly, executive director of The Children’s Law Center, works to ensure that poor children have a voice in the legal process. The center serves children who often find themselves, though no fault of their own, entangled in complicated divorce and custody cases, often made worse by a parent’s substance abuse, domestic abuse, incarceration and other issues.
Under Rakich-Kelly’s leadership, The Children’s Law Center has expanded to serve six judicial districts in Connecticut through its Legal Representation Program. The center operates a free, state-wide helpline to assist those in need of family court-related advice. Additionally, the Families in Transition program provides mediation services to low-income families experiencing separation and divorce.
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