Wan Qi, our VISTA member in New Orleans, shares below how her passion for social justice and life experiences led her to serving with the Orleans Public Defenders.
Wan Qi and Coulter, her fellow New Orleans VISTA member
Wonder how NLADA VISTA members actually expand holistic defense? Interested in becoming a host site or a VISTA member yourself? Read on to learn more about the day to day of our program and host sites.
Latest from VISTA
Monday, March 9, 2020
In honor of National AmeriCorps Week March 8-14, we will be sharing why our AmeriCorps VISTA members serve each day. Below, Meagan, our VISTA member in Greenville, SC, shares how she went from juvenile detention to Corrections Officer to VISTA member.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Pietro, the VISTA member at the Center for Appellate Litagation, interviewed Molly Schindler on how Books Beyond Bars got its start. Read on to see how VISTA and books fit into their office's mission.
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Amanda, a second year VISTA in Santa Barbara, California interviewed S.E. Ballard on how justice, poverty, and VISTA connect in their community.
I spoke with Chief Trial Deputy S.E. Ballard out of the Santa Barbara Office about how they got hooked on indigent defense and what role they see a VISTA playing in the office now and in the future. Ballard is actively licensed in four states and prior to their current role, they worked out in Juvenile Defense for the County of Santa Barbara and as Chief Trial Deputy in Santa Maria.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
The Guam Public Defender Service Corporation (GPDSC) has partnered with NLADA and AmeriCorps VISTA for two years to build up their data system. Read below to see how the partnership has impacted the office with an interview by Tommy Bacher, Guam VISTA member.
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Friday, February 21, 2020
Our VISTA members come from diverse backgrounds but all share passion and conviction that holistic indigent defense matter. Below, Breonna Hendricks, VISTA member in Atlanta, Geogria, shares why it matters to the block where the City of Atlanta Public Defender’s office is.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Our VISTA members are embedded in offices leading the way for holistic defense. Below, Wan Qi interviews a staff member at the Orleans Public Defender who exemplfies the importance of quality defense and support for clients in all stages of the criminal justice system.
An interview with Robert Jones, Director of Community Outreach and Lead Organizer
By Wan Qi Kong, New Orleans Community Partnerships VISTA
Monday, January 27, 2020
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
As a part of Defending Communities in Service, NLADA’s VISTA members serve to advance justice by building capacity in public defender offices every day. From VISTA members improving case management systems to coordinating know your rights trainings for people experiencing homelessness to connecting people to resources at bail review, VISTA members get things done.
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Tyler, our VISTA member in Connecticut, writes below on the individuals behind the big numbers of the criminal justice system.
When I sat do with Joe* I was struck by the size of him. At 6’3” and built like a linebacker his hand enveloped mine when he shook it, introducing himself like an old friend. But what was even more compelling was the way he possessed the room. He had a quick melodic voice that tended to slip into Spanish when he talked about his family and a way of laughing that made even the Court Marshal chuckle along.
Friday, December 20, 2019
Lizzie Sluchak, the Community Partnership VISTA member in Baltimore, Maryland is developing partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations to serve people pre-trial. Below, she explains why the work that public defenders and their partners for people who have been arrested.
