Alexia started her service year journey with JusticeCorps at the San Francisco ACCESS Center, encountering individuals grappling with the daunting task of filing for civil restraining orders. In her role, Alexia met numerous individuals overwhelmed by the court system's bureaucratic maze. 

“Most of the individuals I worked with felt frustrated, confused, and unclear about how to proceed.”

 Recognizing that her role extended beyond administrative assistance, Alexia provided emotional support and reassurance. 

“I put all my energy towards being a calming and reassuring presence so that the litigant could walk away from our interaction feeling more positive and optimistic than when they walked through the door.” 

This approach was not just about alleviating immediate stress but bridging the emotional gap between the litigants and the legal system, offering them a sense of dignity and hope during a challenging time.

One case that stood out for Alexia involved someone seeking a restraining order against a family member. The litigant was desperate, so Alexia’s empathetic approach was crucial. By being a compassionate and understanding presence, Alexia helped them navigate their legal journey with a sense of support and validation. In this case, her work demonstrated how connecting with people emotionally can significantly help individuals in distress, creating trust and rapport during their most vulnerable moments.

In her role at the Marin County Public Defender’s Office, Alexia faced another set of community challenges. She worked with clients eligible for resentencing or release under new legal provisions. One notable case involved a man who had served nearly 28 years of a 32-year-to-life sentence under the three strikes law. 

“After serving nearly 28 years of his sentence, we filed a petition on his behalf, and his resentencing was granted. As thrilled as we were for our client, we quickly realized we had a daunting task ahead of us to prepare him for release.”

Unlike those on parole, the client lost access to transitional resources like housing and employment assistance. 

Typically when incarcerated individuals are released from prison, they enter a period of community supervision known as parole. Our client, however, was released ‘time served’ and was not placed on parole. As a result, he lost access to those resources that could have made a significant difference on his journey to reentry.”

Her experiences with the ACCESS Center deeply informed Alexia’s response. She understood the client’s anxiety and fear, drawing a parallel to the uncertainty faced by litigants she had previously assisted. 

“During these conversations with him, I flashback to my time with JusticeCorps, and how so many of those self-represented litigants expressed similar emotions when they were unsure about what the path forward would look like.” By leveraging her past experiences, Alexia provided a comprehensive support system, helping the client adjust to a radically changed world.

Her efforts included practical assistance such as setting up a cell phone, finding temporary shelter, and introducing him to new technologies.

This hands-on support was crucial in helping the client navigate his new reality and address the gaps left by the lack of traditional parole support.  By offering such detailed and practical assistance, Alexia bridged the gap between the client's immediate needs and the systemic shortcomings in support, making a tangible difference in his reentry journey. Her practical assistance was not just a service, but a lifeline for the client.

Alexia’s work effectively addressed the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, demonstrating that bridging divides is more than just understanding; it’s about taking actionable steps to support and empower those in need. By providing practical and emotional support, Alexia bridged the gap between complex systems and vulnerable individuals, fostering a sense of trust and collaboration that made a profound difference in their lives. Her approach shows that bridging is not about changing minds but creating connections, offering support, and fostering cooperation to meet shared goals.