About Multnomah CourtCare
Multnomah CourtCare is a project of the Multnomah Bar Foundation (MBF) that improves access to justice by making free, drop-in childcare available for families who have business at the court. The program is located at the downtown Multnomah County Courthouse and the East County Courthouse.
CourtCare is operated by Volunteers of America Oregon and serves 80 to 100 children and their families each month, serving over 13,000 since opening in December 2001. In addition to being a safe, convenient location for parents to leave their children, this program reduces the number of rescheduled court appointments and removes the potential that children might witness conflicts or disrupt court business. While the program receives some public funding, it depends primarily on the financial support of the legal community, which contributes through the MBF. The MBF is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3), and contributions are tax deductible.
"I am so glad that the Judge told me to bring the kids down here when things went kind of crazy in the courtroom. I didn't know this room was here, but this is such a great place, and also the kids didn't have to hear anymore of what was going on with me and their Dad upstairs. When I came back, it was such a relief to find them so happy and playing with the other kids. They were also very excited to tell me all about the snacks they had, and they love the books that they got to take home...so special." -Parent feedback
Comments from kids in CourtCare:
- "I love all the cows, you always give me oranges and crackers, and I only get oranges here. I love oranges."
- "I love you to play with me in the kitchen, and then I will clean up so I can come here again, because I love it here."
- "You still have my picture I drawed for you on the wall! I want to draw with you again, then have some crackers quick."
Please Consider a Charitable Donation in Support of Multnomah CourtCare
People who have business at the court, but are without options for childcare, may bring their children, ages six weeks to ten years, to Multnomah CourtCare and be assured their children will be safe and well cared for while they attend to matters in the courthouse. This unique, free childcare program in the downtown and East County courthouses has served over 16,000 children since it opened in 2001. Your donation will help CourtCare continue to make a positive difference:
- in the lives of the children who are welcomed into a cheerful place where they are sheltered from adult issues in court;
- in the lives of these children's families, who know that their children have a safe place to stay, free-of-charge, while they conduct their business in the courthouse;
- and in the administration of justice, because courts operate more efficiently without the interruptions created by having children in the courtrooms and hallways.
Although CourtCare receives some public funding, the program depends primarily on financial donations from our legal community, including individual attorneys, legal assistants, judges and law firms. Our goal for this year's campaign is to raise $100,000 for operations. Donations are accepted all year long, every dollar helps, and we appreciate contributions of any size. You can make an online tax-deductible charitable donation using the donate button, call the MBA at 503.222.3275 with a credit card or print the CourtCare Donor Form and send it with your contribution. Please make checks payable to the Multnomah Bar Foundation with "CourtCare" noted in the memo.