Each year on September 8, International Literacy Day invites us to consider the importance of literacy in our lives and communities. This year, UNESCO marks the 60th anniversary of this event with a broad theme: Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity. This theme presents an opportunity to think expansively about what literacy means, including knowledge of the law: understanding enough about our legal system to recognize a legal issue, make sense of legal information, know where to look for reliable answers, and participate meaningfully in civic life.
Read moreFaith and Fairness
The right to your beliefs should never be revoked, they're ubiquitous. Religious freedom is a foundational principal in the United States and is preserved by the First Amendment to the constitution. Unfortunately, religious bias and discrimination maintain a presence in legal and social issues in communities. Being one of the most diverse cities in the United States, Houston implements a unique lens to examine the correlation between religion, discrimination, and the law.
Read moreBuilding Bridges to Justice: Introducing the LAWPod Squad
At the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library, we believe that access to justice begins with access to legal information. That belief has guided our work for more than a century. It inspired the creation of LAWPods: private, technology-enabled spaces located within community libraries where individuals can connect with trusted legal information, virtual reference services, and community resources closer to home.
Read moreHonoring Pride Month Through Advance Care Planning
The Compassion & Choices/SAGE Advance Care Planning Toolkit was developed specifically to address the unique planning needs and concerns that many LGBTQ+ adults may face. For some individuals, chosen family members, close friends, or unmarried partners—not biological relatives—are the people they trust most to make healthcare decisions. Without the proper legal documents in place, however, those trusted individuals may not automatically have the authority to act on a loved one's behalf.
Read moreHonoring Immigrant Heritage Month
Thanks to these immigrant cultures, we have a beautiful American identity. The position that immigrants held in the creation of our identity is often overlooked, but in 2014, an organization called "I Am an Immigrant" wanted to highlight the amazing impact they have.
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