MBF CourtConnect New Year in the ParkCelebrating the Cambodian, Thai, Lao, and Burmese New Year

by Pamela Hubbs MBA Office and Foundation Administrator

It was the last Saturday in April and the weather at Glenhaven Park was ideal for “New Year in the Park,” a festival that highlights the vibrant Southeast Asian communities in the greater Portland area, giving these communities an opportunity to celebrate and share their rich cultural heritage with the general public.

Judge Chanpone Sinlapasai, who was born in Laos and serves on the MBF Public Outreach Committee, staffed Multnomah County Circuit Court’s outreach booth at the event. She shared information with visitors about the courts and CourtConnect, the MBF’s civic education outreach program. Judge Melvin Oden-Orr and Judge Patricia McGuire, both CourtConnect volunteers, stopped by the booth and spent time visiting with community members.

CourtConnect serves as a bridge between the bench, bar and community by pairing lawyers and judges to visit youth and community groups - either online or in person - to make a brief presentation about the courts and the rule of law, and give audiences an opportunity to ask questions and share their own experiences in the justice system.

The goal of CourtConnect is to forge a better connection between the community and the legal profession by putting a personal face on the justice system, make the courts more approachable, and remove some of the mystery that surrounds them. CourtConnect helps further the court’s goal of increasing procedural justice by opening the doors of discussion between the public, the bench and the bar.

If you know of organizations that would welcome a CourtConnect presentation, or would like to volunteer to be a CourtConnect presenter, contact Pamela Hubbs at pamela@mbabar.org