Riverside Legal Aid Recognized as Nonprofit of the Year

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) proudly honored Riverside Legal Aid as Senate District 31’s 2022 Nonprofit of the Year. The nonprofit’s Executive Director, Rita Smith, and esteemed member, Ernie Reguly, were welcomed to Sacramento to be honored for the occasion.

“Riverside Legal Aid has long been a partner in public service, delivering services to those in our community with the greatest need.” said Senator Roth. “When met with the challenges brought on by the pandemic, they stepped up to the plate and did the important work that kept folks in their homes, saved many from financial ruin, and in some cases, saved lives. I am incredibly proud to honor them today.”

While Riverside Legal Aid has provided crucial services to the underserved in the Inland region for decades, their work became paramount during the COVID-19 pandemic when an avalanche of often confusing and occasionally conflicting housing laws and government relief programs were developed to keep people in their homes. During a time of crisis, Riverside Legal Aid not only assisted folks with navigating these complex and ever changing laws, but they became advocates, demanding fair solutions from landlords on behalf of struggling residents.

“We are very thankful for this recognition of Riverside Legal Aid’s ongoing work to prevent homelessness and provide assistance to the underserved and vulnerable population.” said Ernie Reguly with Riverside Legal Aid. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, this population included hundreds of UC Riverside students whose out of state corporate landlords sought to force them and their struggling families to pay for apartments they could not occupy. Our ongoing commitment to assisting the underserved members of our community is immeasurably strengthened by the support we receive from partners like Senator Roth.”

With 40 years of service to the community, Riverside Legal Aid has had an immeasurable impact on thousands of lives, offering a range of legal services related to bankruptcy and federal court matters, family law, eviction defense, conservatorships, guardianships and probate, along with consumer and other civil matters.

# # #