San Antonio Legal Services Association (SALSA) assists attornies who want to provide pro bono service, including meeting the State Bar of Texas' recommendation that every attorney perform 50 hours of pro bono service a year.

SALSA provides training resources, mentorship, and coverage under SALSA’s Professional Liability policy. Attornies can give back within their area of expertise or take on a limited-service matter in a new area of the law.

Volunteer for a clinic. Provide limited legal advice or assistance at an isolated pro bono event. (This requires limited or no follow-on assistance.)

Participate in a program. Provide limited scope representation in a subject matter area that has ample training resources and mentor oversight.

Take a case. Provide extended representation services in your area of expertise. Check out SALSA’s available cases and express interest in a particular case.

Click here to learn more and sign up.

Check out the SALSA Calendar for currently available opportunities.

* Are you an attorney who is licensed and in good standing in another state or has an inactive Texas bar license? Learn more about how you can do pro bono in Texas through the NOVA Program.

Please note that volunteers will be contacted on an as-needed basis to confirm availability for cases as they come into the program.

SALSA offers volunteer opportunities for non-attorney volunteers seeking to give their time to support legal efforts that benefit indigent, vulnerable, and at-risk members of our community.

SALSA works with other non-profits in San Antonio to identify gaps in coverage that are ideal for volunteers to fill. 

New Volunteer Opportunities: Spanish translation, Don't Bully Me Project Intake (only for paralegals), Court Monitor Program, etc.

Volunteers are accepted on a rolling basis and must first complete the required trainings and clear a background check prior to volunteering. 

If you are a student interested in doing guardianship work as a career, if you are in need of community service hours, or if you are an individual who simply wants to help protect a vulnerable population, we’d love to have you volunteer.

Click here to learn more and sign up.

When you volunteer with SALSA, you have all of our resources, trainings, mentors, staff support, and more at your fingertips. 

Do you need help with settling a small estate in Bexar County?

Walk-in assistance is available to qualifying applicants. Click here for a calendar of upcoming Small Estate Clinics.

Applicants are encouraged to bring all relevant documents, including the:

• Decedent's death certificate
• Evidence of decedent's assets
• Evidence of decedent's debts
• Any previously filed SEAs
• Any responses from the court regarding previously filed SEAs

Volunteer attorneys offer advice on Small Estate Affidavits for estates under $75,000 and various deed and county records issues.

The Small Estate Help Desk provides free legal assistance for low-income individuals at the Bexar County Courthouse at 100 Dolorosa St., San Antonio, Texas 78205, Room 1.15, every other Thursday from 1:00-3:30 PM. 

Operating on a first-come, first-served basis with income qualifications, the service helps clients determine the best approach for their situation and can address questions about property transfers and fraudulent deed or lien issues. The Bexar County Clerk’s Office is on-site to accept ready documents. 

Check our Public Calendar for upcoming dates.

Bexar County is committed to keeping residents safe and healthy. Use these resources to get the most of your Bexar County services.

The Department of Behavioral Health

The mission of The Department of Behavioral Health is to lead in planning, coordinating, advocating, and organizing community behavioral health stakeholders in activities to continuously improve the availability of services in Bexar County.

Center for Health Care

CHCS team members work with people from all around Bexar County, providing them with the counseling, resources, and support they need to make their life better.

University Health

University Health is a nationally recognized teaching hospital and network of outpatient healthcare centers, owned by the people of Bexar County.

FindHelp - Community Assistance Resources

Find community assistance resources through location or by need.

Wet Weather Safety

Find tools, resources for, and information about staying safe in Bexar County during wet weather.

Post-conviction relief is a procedure that allows the defendant in a criminal case to bring more evidence or raise additional issues in a case after a judgment has been made (post-trial). With valid grounds, post-conviction relief can help a convicted individual obtain a fair resolution in their case.

As an independent and autonomous part of the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) conducts objective reviews of final convictions to determine whether some manifest injustice has occurred that may be corrected by the procedures provided by post-conviction law.

Post-conviction relief comes in two forms: equitable relief and legal relief.

Equitable relief may be granted if:

• the conviction is not contested, but
• the client presents a compelling and/or sympathetic situation. (Why does this person deserve relief? What is keeping this person from taking their next steps? How has this person changed since the offense (treatment, counseling, etc)? Letters from the community in support of relief are key here.

Legal relief may be granted if:

• there has been a conviction, and
• there is a credible legal claim (e.g., My attorney didn’t communicate with me. New evidence or evidence that went untested at the time of my trial shows that I'm innocent, etc.).

When a case is accepted, the CIU prepares an internal proposal/memorandum and presents it to the District Attorney for approval.

Even if a case does not end in an exoneration or an expunction, it can still be beneficial to the applicant.

Also note:

• The CIU cannot review every case where there is a bare claim of innocence.
• There is no magic formula; each case is different.
• The CIU cannot give legal advice to a defendant or a defendant's family members.
• It would be best to have your claim presented by a lawyer who is experienced in post-conviction criminal work.
• The Innocence Project of Texas and similar organizations can be extremely helpful in presenting new claims.
• The more proof that a conviction was wrongful, the more likely we are to review the case. Documents that support that claim are also helpful.
• When CIU accepts a case for review, it will be open-minded and objective.

Click here to learn more and submit a case for review.

Personalized Career & Training Assistance for Justice-Involved Clients.

Goodwill Reentry Services understands individuals' unique challenges when reentering into society after incarceration, from reconnecting with family to finding employment.

Our staff provides one-on-one career coaching with a focus on:

• Identifying your career interests.
• Developing your resume.
• Practicing interview skills.
• Completing online job applications.
• Connecting to employers or training programs.

Additionally, individuals can enroll in training programs, which include construction trades, warehousing, and logistics.

Requirements:

• At least18 years old
• Have a Valid ID
• Eligible to work in the United States
• Released from prison within the last two years
• Currently on Parole, Probation, or Supervised Release
• Can work full-time

If you are interested in finding out more, send an email to Reentry Services at [email protected].

Civil court-ordered outpatient mental health program for individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness, and have been non-compliant with past psychiatric treatment.

The program includes:

• psychiatric medication management
• psychosocial rehabilitation services
• nursing services
• case management
• community support services

Referrals are made through Bexar County Mental Health Courts and Bexar County psychiatric facilities.

Assists individuals in felony and misdemeanor drug courts to improve their quality of life and further reduce recidivism by incorporating community-based:

• case management services
• psychiatric medication management
• counseling
• skills training

Judicial referrals only.

Jail diversion community mental health program that provides immediate assessment for mental health treatment for misdemeanor pre-trial cases to include:

• psychiatric medication management
• comprehensive community support services

Judicial referrals only.

The program is comprised of phases in which community, mental health, as well as substance treatment needs are addressed for individuals currently on probation lasting up to one year to reduce recidivism.

Referrals made by Bexar County Mental Health Court, County Court 12.

The Mental Health Court program diverts individuals from jail to comprehensive behavioral health treatment.

Judicial referrals only.

SALSA is at Haven for Hope, every Wednesday from 2–4PM, to assist qualifying applicants with housing and tenants’ rights legal issues, including evictions and eviction appeals, disability accommodations, lockouts, repairs, security deposits, utilities, and expunctions.

No appointment is needed to speak with a SALSA attorney at the Haven for Hope Legal Assistance Clinic. You do not have to be a Haven for Hope client. Individuals will be assisted on a first come, first served basis; no appointment necessary.

Clinic is located at the Haven for Hope Community Center (John L. Santikos Welcome Center).

For all matters, please bring documents related to your legal issue. Originals are not necessary.

Haven for Hope has a strict “no children policy” on the part of the campus where our offices are located. Please plan for your little ones prior to attending SALSA’s walk-in legal clinic.

If you are seeking legal assistance regarding an expunction, and the offense(s) occurred in Bexar County, please obtain a copy of your criminal history from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. For more information on how to get a copy of your criminal history, please visit the Bexar County Sheriff’s Website.

Income qualifications apply. 

See Map here for parking and directions to SALSA’s offices at Haven for Hope.

Free

CHCS Clinicians work within Bexar County’s Justice Intake & Assessment Annex 24/7 to assess arrested individuals with mental health and or substance use needs.

Eligible individuals can participate in outpatient treatment via a Personal Recognition (PR) bond release.

Justice Intake and Assessment Annex at N. Comal

Provides minor medical clearance for SAPD, crisis and detoxification programs. Provides immediate and quick access for law enforcement to obtain medical clearance and treatment for individuals who have been detained and injured during the apprehension process 24 hours a day.

Individuals who have had any criminal justice involvement in the past and are looking to plan their comeback can find assistance at the Bexar County Reentry Center.

Our Reentry team can help you increase your employability, obtain higher educational levels, and acquire specialized job training. A variety of other services and resources are also available to you as well. Call us for an appointment!

Free

A federal mandate specifies that incarcerated individuals have access to religious services. Staff chaplains, volunteers from many faith communities, and the professional community provide worship services in 9 local detention and treatment facilities and pastoral care as needed.

We believe that every individual should have access to mental health counseling and chaplaincy services. We understand that life can be overwhelming at times, and it’s okay to ask for help.

That’s why we offer a wide range of counseling services to help you cope with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, and PTSD. Our highly skilled counselors specialize in a variety of therapies, such as:

• Acceptance and commitment
• Cognitive behavior
• Dialectical behavior
• Multicultural
• Solution-focused brief
• Trauma-focused therapy.

We understand that everyone’s journey is unique, which is why our counseling sessions are tailored to each client’s specific needs. Whether you need someone to talk to, guidance on coping mechanisms, or simply a listening ear, our team of experts is here to support you. Let us help you on your journey towards healing and a brighter future.

Counseling sessions vary from client to client.

Call 210-299-4540 to schedule an appointment.

Free.

Reentry classes, character development, substance recovery, and anger management classes are provided in most facilities.

Ready to Work is unprecedented. No other city in the nation is supporting its residents like we are. With over $110 million in tuition assistance, hundreds of employers, training providers and colleges, community organizations and workforce agencies, we are in it together, for you.

Ready to Work makes continuing your education and finding a quality job easier for you. Your personal Ready to Work coach will help you with every step of the process, from understanding your specific situation, coaching you through career and education planning, enrolling and paying for your classes, increasing your confidence and soft skills, updating your resume, preparing you for interviews, connecting you to new job opportunities, and helping you thrive in your job.

Your journey begins with step one – Register online, call 3-1-1, or visit a Ready To Work Partner Agency.

Our full list of programs can be found here.

Our full list of employers can be found here.

Our Partner Agency, Chrysalis Ministries, provides hands-on case management services to help former inmates and their families as they overcome the consequences of incarceration. Eligibility Requirements can be found here.

Services include:

• Intake
• Assessment
• Case Management
• Referrals for Training

The Center provides psychiatric and wraparound services for psychosocial rehabilitation, community referrals for medical and substance abuse treatment, peer support, and social assistance. Referrals for dual-diagnosed clients are received through the Felony and Misdemeanor Drug Courts.

By rehabilitating non-violent offenders with substance abuse and mental health issues, drug courts reduce the costs of confinement while we help people rebuild stable, productive lives. Participants are subjected to rigorous drug testing, probation visits, and 90 to 180 days of residential treatment. To graduate from the program, participants must attain a high school diploma or GED and secure full-time work.

This program serves adults ages 18-65.

The Center assists active duty, retired, and Veteran service members with The Military Veteran Peer Network Project. In addition to integrated health services, we train and team you with a "Battle Buddy," a Veteran who provides peer-to-peer role support.

The Center and MVPN also work with the Texas Veteran Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery Project (TVJDTR), training law enforcement on effective crisis intervention strategies when encountering a Veteran experiencing the effects of mental illness.

The Karnes Pro Bono Project was launched in 2014 by a group of attorneys committed to serving the legal needs of women and children in the newly opened Karnes family detention center (“Karnes”). The project has since come under the direction of RAICES, providing free legal services to people in ICE custody at Karnes. The families are typically forced to pass a credible or reasonable fear interview before being released to pursue asylum. Failure to meet these requirements for asylum can lead to deportation, which can mean a return to persecution and death.

RAICES supports detained families by preparing them for their screening interviews, representing them in hearings before an immigration judge if they fail their interview, and submitting requests for reconsideration to the Asylum Office if the immigration judge affirms the negative interview decision. When the need arises, RAICES has helped persons detained at Karnes with parole requests, bond motions, asylum applications, representation in final asylum hearings in immigration court, and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Our work also includes public advocacy campaigns and regular litigation and policy advocacy involvement.

For more information, contact us.

The RAICES Bond Program is a Texas-based bond fund that seeks to mitigate the harmful effects of and otherwise dismantle ICE detention.

The RAICES Bond Program started in 2014 to cover the release of mothers and children, then held in Family Detention Centers in Texas and Pennsylvania. In June 2018, the Program grew when a viral Facebook fundraiser inspired more than 500,000 individual donors who were furious at the government ripping families apart and the otherwise inhumane treatment of immigrants in the United States. Since then, we have responded to daily requests from people in detention, and our Bond Program covers people within the geographic scope of the state of Texas.

During workplace raids and the Zero Tolerance Family Separation of 2018, we have been on the ground. By building closer connections with participants, the Program gives people more resources and a greater degree of agency to navigate the complex immigration system and U.S. society more broadly. We believe that paying an individual’s bond is a short-term intervention to free someone from detention, while our long-term goal is ending the harmful practice of ICE detention.

We are proud members of the National Bail Fund Network, a bail and bond fund network seeking to end mass incarceration, including ICE detention.

Please fill out our form to apply for assistance through our bond fund

For questions, contact us.

Addressing violence and abuse through networking, client education, and empowerment.

We work with the offender population in Bexar County who are first-time arrestees on domestic violence charges and who are eligible for PR Bond, to educate about domestic violence, promote healthy relationships, lower recidivism rates, and intervene in the cyclical nature of domestic violence within the criminal justice system.

Nine, two-hour sessions involve learning about their responsibilities and options concerning stopping domestic violence, child custody, parental obligations, as survivors and or perpetrators of domestic violence, etc.

Court-mandated students only.

Herbal wisdom, integrative health and nutrition, and Western medicine.

San Antonio Fatherhood Campaign, parts of the program include:

• Healing the Wounded Spirit
• Raising Children with Pride
• Prenatal and Postpartum Support

Bexar County Reflejo Court

The Reflejo Court targets the domestic violence offender with the intent to reduce recidivism 
among this population through intense supervision by a multi-disciplinary team that includes a prosecutor, public defender, coordinator, case manager, treatment provider, and law enforcement led by Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez. Each practitioner in the team provides a necessary service to the violent offender to address the core issues that lead to the violence.

Reflejo Court addresses:

• substance abuse disorders
• mental health, trauma
• other ancillary needs that fuel domestic violence

Link here to visit the Family Health and Wellness. 

Pastor Mooney enjoys telling the story of how he came to Christ and is willing to discuss the Word of God with anyone. Pastor Mooney was ordained as a minister in 1996, devotes his life to the Lord, and welcomes everyone to join the churches activities and services. He strongly believes that “It takes one to know one and show them the way.” Pastor Mooney is a living example that “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always have sufficiency in all things, and that you may have an abundance for every good thing” (2 COR 9:8 NKJV).

Our vision is to help the homeless, and those on drugs (crack cocaine, alcohol, downers, uppers, and heroin) and those in gangs. These individuals need a chance to have a job and money to help them start over again with a new life. We see them on our street corners all over the world. We need, as a people, to come together and help feed and clothe these individuals. We, as human beings are complete with body, mind, and spirit.

SALSA hosts a free legal assistance clinic for eligible Veterans and family members. Veterans may request a virtual appointments (if they are unable to come to the clinic in person), an in-person individual meeting with a staff attorney, or telephone, dependent on the Veteran’s need and Volunteer Attorney’s preference.

Veterans can receive legal and counsel advice ona myriad of legal issues including, but are not limited to:

• expunction & non-disclosure assistance 
• housing (tenant/landlord issues)
• probate/survivor’s benefits appeals/wills
• military discharge upgrades 
• military benefits appeal questions(disability compensation appeal/increase, VA pension, etc)
• family law issues (guardianship, uncontested divorce or child support agreement, etc)
• military records correction
• criminal record non-disclosure

Please bring all relevant documents pertaining to your legal issue to the clinic or your appointment.

Click here for additional information and to apply for services.

SALSA requires proof of military service before placement with a volunteer.

If you would like to volunteer to help Veterans receive legal advice apply here.

Are you ready to leave the past behind and start over? For those who want to start a new life, a better life, Changin' Lives is here to offer resources, to listen, and to let you know that you are not alone. We work through your challenges to help you reach your goals.

We want to help you become a self-sufficient, successful, productive citizen of our community by connecting you with felony-friendly employers, affordable housing resources, medical and social services referrals, mentoring, and one-on-one client case management.

By appointment only. Please call during business hours to schedule an appointment.

Free

Newly Empowered Women (N.E.W.), is a program of B.E.A.T. Coalition Trust designed to help women who are infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS begin renewed lives by overcoming the past. As they journey down their new road, our women will learn life long skills in order to develop and maintain healthy and productive lives.

Our Goals:

• Changing Behavior
• Decrease in high risk behavior
• Reuniting Families
• Eliminating drug and alcohol abuse
• Building economic and financial stability
• Developing computer literacy
• Increasing job readiness
• Cultivating a healthy image of one’s self

Our Residents:

• Women who are disproportionately infected and affected by HIV/AIDS
• Women who are in transition from homelessness, struggling with drug addiction or coming home from prison
• Women with the desire to live healthy, clean and sober lives
• Remain at our facility from 6 to 24 months.

New Life Ministry is here to give people who are dealing with being incarcerated, hope, healing, and support.

The setting provides a structured way for people to share their stories and gain perspective from others through their experiences. It also provides support and knowledge of what is happening to their loved one in prison when they have no clue as to what is going on due to this being their first time dealing with incarceration.

New Life Ministry is for all those who need to know that they do not have to go through it alone.

Free.