On October 27, The Justice & Diversity Center held The Outstanding Volunteers in Public Service in person for the first time in 3 years. More than 120 people gathered at UC Hastings to commemorate the incredible service provided by volunteers from The Community Organization Representation Project, Diversity Educational Programs, Homeless Advocacy Project, Immigrant Legal Defense Program, Legal Advice & Referral Clinic, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, Family Law Project, and Federal Pro Bono Project. 

Select volunteers from each project received OVIPS certificates for their services. Each project head also recognized Crystal Award Winners as volunteers who went above and beyond with their exceptional support.  

The evening brought engaging remarks from Yolanda Jackson, Executive Director and General Counsel, BASF and JDC, David Faigman, Chancellor and Dean, UC Hastings, Antonia More, Director and Managing Attorney, Pro Bono Legal Services, a keynote address from Honorable Willie Brown Jr., and closing remarks from Senior Federal Judge Edward M. Chen Northern District of California. 

Crystal Award Winner, Stephanie Huang, was elated to be celebrating with her peers that evening. "I thoroughly enjoyed attending the OVIPS event where the Justice & Diversity Center came together to celebrate and award their top volunteers," she explained. "It was such an exciting event that brought us all in one room and reiterated how important it is to each of us, to pitch in as much as we can to help those who are less fortunate."

There was an opportunity to not only acknowledge outstanding volunteers who have devoted their valuable time to support the underrepresented low-income residents of San Francisco but also to meet with like-minded peers that strive to serve our community and support JDC’s programs.