Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services

What Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services does

Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS) is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization founded in 2013 by January Contreras and operating in Arizona's Maricopa and Pima Counties. The organization delivers no-cost legal representation, consultations, referrals, training, and system reform advocacy to human trafficking survivors of any age and to youth up to age 24 impacted by homelessness, abuse, and the foster care system; approximately 70% of clients are women or girls. It operates through four integrated practice areas — Safe and Stable Families (orders of protection, custody, tenant rights), Opportunity Through Immigration (DACA, T Visas, U Visas, SIJS), New Roads to Success (criminal record set-asides, fingerprint clearance exceptions, identity documents), and Justice for Survivors (comprehensive trafficking-survivor services) — supplemented by on-site Community Law Clinics at partner host organizations (UMOM, Our Family Services in Tucson, Phoenix Dream Center) and a pro bono attorney volunteer network.

The underlying 'technology' is non-digital: ALWAYS runs on people-intensive legal practice rather than a software platform, complemented by an informational resources website (resources.alwaysaz.org) that publishes self-help legal content for youth navigating Arizona courts. There are no proprietary software products, AI components, APIs, or disclosed data assets; defensibility comes from attorney credentials, DOJ-accredited representative status, and a decade of organizational credibility rather than from a technology stack.

Commercially, ALWAYS is a grant-and-donation-funded nonprofit with no fees charged to clients. Revenue streams include charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, and businesses (with Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization tax-credit eligibility), government grants from the Department of Health and Human Services for trafficking-survivor services, and in-kind support including pro bono attorney hours. Go-to-market is community-led rather than commercial: clients arrive via partner referrals and on-site clinics, attorney volunteers are recruited through a pro bono database, and awareness is built via the annual Heart of Justice reception, Arizona Gives Day, and earned media. The organization is led by CEO Valentina Restrepo Montoya (since June 2021, succeeded founder January Contreras) and Managing Attorney Marissa Anderson (since January 2024), with a 1–10 employee core team supplemented by pro bono attorneys.

Name

Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services

Legal name

Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services

Website

https://alwaysaz.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS) is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing no-cost legal representation to human trafficking survivors and vulnerable youth (homeless, abused, or in foster care) across Arizona's Maricopa and Pima Counties through four integrated practice areas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Legal Aid Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH), Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services (BPAGAEAE)

Keywords

• Pro bono legal services
• Human trafficking legal aid
• Immigration legal services
• Youth homelessness advocacy
• Foster care legal help

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: ALWAYS is funded through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. Donations can be made online, by mail, or by phone. The organization is an Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization, allowing donors to claim tax credits.
2. Government Grants: ALWAYS receives funding through the Department of Health and Human Services to provide free legal services to trafficking survivors regardless of age. The organization collaborates with government entities to fund specific programs.
3. In-Kind Support: ALWAYS receives pro bono legal assistance from volunteer attorneys and in-kind support from various organizations and foundations listed on their supporters page.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS) provides no-cost legal representation and advocacy for survivors of human trafficking and youth up to age 26 in Arizona impacted by homelessness, abuse, and the foster care system. Services span four integrated practice areas: Safe and Stable Families (family law, protection orders, tenant rights), Opportunity Through Immigration (DACA, T Visas, U Visas, SIJS), New Roads to Success (criminal record set-aside, fingerprint clearance, identity documents), and Justice for Survivors (comprehensive trafficking survivor representation). Delivery is supplemented by Community Law Clinics at partner sites and a Pro Bono Attorney Network.

Product overview

Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS) is a nonprofit legal services organization providing no-cost legal representation and support. The organization operates through four integrated legal practice areas: Safe and Stable Families (family law, protection orders, tenant rights), Opportunity Through Immigration (DACA, T Visas, U Visas, SIJS), New Roads to Success (criminal record repair, fingerprint clearance, ID documents), and Justice for Survivors (trafficking survivor services). These practices are complemented by Community Law Clinics held at partner organizations and a Pro Bono Attorney Network. ALWAYS also maintains a public Resources Website offering self-service legal information, forms, and guidance for youth representing themselves in Arizona courts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Safe and Stable Families Practice Free family law representation for survivors of domestic violence and vulnerable youth, including orders of protection, parenting time, child custody, child support, and tenant rights matters.
• Opportunity Through Immigration Practice Free immigration legal services for undocumented youth and trafficking survivors, including DACA, T Visas, U Visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and identity document assistance.
• New Roads to Success Practice Free legal services helping vulnerable youth overcome barriers to employment, housing, and education through criminal record set-asides, fingerprint clearance exceptions, and government-issued identity documents.
• Justice for Survivors Practice Comprehensive free legal services for human trafficking survivors, including family law, immigration (T Visas), orders of protection, criminal history repair, and victim representation.
• Community Law Clinics On-site legal clinics held at partner youth-serving organizations including UMOM (Phoenix), Our Family Services (Tucson), and Phoenix Dream Center, providing accessible legal services in Maricopa and Pima Counties.
• Pro Bono Program Network of volunteer attorneys providing pro bono legal representation to vulnerable youth in immigration, orders of protection, child custody, and criminal record matters.
• Resources Website (resources.alwaysaz.org) Online portal providing legal information, forms, resources, and step-by-step guidance for youth navigating the justice system without a lawyer, covering family law, immigration, criminal history, and identity documents.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of clients served are women or girls
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• University of Arizona SIROWmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019SIROW (Sex Trafficking Intervention Research Office) collaborates with ALWAYS on juvenile justice reform and racial/ethnic disparities initiatives. Ezequiel Dominguez from SIROW serves on the ALWAYS Board.
• Children's Action AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2017ALWAYS partnered with Children's Action Alliance and University of Arizona SIROW to work on juvenile justice reform related to collateral consequences of public delinquency records and outstanding fines and fees. This collaboration resulted in legislative changes in 2019.
• Our Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Our Family Services is a nonprofit human service partner that provides a location for ALWAYS to hold Community Law Clinics in Tucson, Pima County. They serve vulnerable populations including youth and families in need.
• UMOM New Day CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013UMOM provides transitional housing and services for homeless youth in Phoenix. ALWAYS holds regular Community Law Clinics at UMOM locations to serve homeless young people.
• Phoenix Dream CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Phoenix Dream Center serves youth and families in Phoenix. ALWAYS provides in-house legal services through Community Law Clinics at this location.
• Homeless Youth Coalition (HYC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013HYC is a coalition of organizations working to address youth homelessness in Arizona. They partner with ALWAYS to connect homeless young people with legal services.
• Arizona Anti-Trafficking NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013A statewide network addressing human trafficking. ALWAYS collaborates with this coalition to provide legal services to trafficking survivors and participate in collective advocacy efforts.
• Native American ConnectionsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Native American Connections provides housing and behavioral health services with a focus on Native American communities. They were honored at Heart of Justice 2022 and partner with ALWAYS for referrals and advocacy.
• Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013ACESDV is a statewide coalition working to end sexual and domestic violence. Their self-help legal library is referenced on ALWAYS's resource pages for family law issues.
• Starfish Place / City of Phoenix HousingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Starfish Place is a City of Phoenix affordable housing initiative. ALWAYS partners to provide legal services to residents who qualify.
• De-Colores / Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013CPLC is a major community development organization in Arizona. They refer clients to ALWAYS and partner on community initiatives. A former client, Ruth Santos, was referred by CPLC.
• Arizona State University School of Social WorkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013ASU School of Social Work partners with ALWAYS for research, training, and potentially intern placements related to sex trafficking intervention.
• Tumbleweed Center for Youth DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Tumbleweed was the original partner where ALWAYS first opened its doors to provide legal services on-site. This partnership established the in-house legal counsel model that ALWAYS continues today.
• Community Legal Services (CLS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013CLS provides legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence and other vulnerable populations. They are listed as a family law resource on ALWAYS's resource pages.
• Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence - Self-Help Legal LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013ACESDV maintains a comprehensive self-help legal library with step-by-step instructions for family law issues, linked from ALWAYS's resources.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Casa Cornelia Law Center: Southern California nonprofit providing pro bono legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations, with a strong immigration practice for survivors of trafficking and domestic violence. Comparable in legal aid model and trafficking survivor focus.
• Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights: National nonprofit advocating for the rights and best interests of immigrant children, providing legal representation and child advocate services. Strong mission and population overlap with ALWAYS's youth-focused legal work.
• Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project: Arizona-based nonprofit providing free legal services to immigrants in detention and in the community. Several ALWAYS leadership team members came from this organization, and it directly competes for the same pro bono attorney pool and immigration grant funding.
• Kids in Need of Defense (KIND): National nonprofit dedicated to the protection of unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children, providing pro bono legal representation. Directly comparable in mission and target population to ALWAYS's immigrant youth and trafficking survivor practice.
• Community Legal Services (CLS): Arizona-based legal aid organization providing free civil legal services to low-income clients, including domestic violence survivors. Listed as a family-law resource by ALWAYS, operates in the same Arizona legal aid ecosystem serving vulnerable populations.

Emerging players

• Polaris Project: National anti-trafficking organization operating the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline and advocating for policy reform. While focused more on advocacy than direct legal representation, it overlaps significantly with ALWAYS's trafficking survivor mission.

Broad incumbents

• Bet Tzedek Legal Services: Los Angeles-based legal aid organization providing free services across multiple practice areas including immigration, family law, and benefits advocacy for vulnerable populations. Broader scope than ALWAYS but operates a similar multi-practice legal aid model.
• National Center for Youth Law: National advocacy and legal aid organization focused on systemic reform affecting low-income children and youth. Operates at a broader scale and policy level than ALWAYS but addresses overlapping youth legal needs including foster care and juvenile justice.
• Public Counsel: Los Angeles-based largest pro bono law firm in the U.S., serving vulnerable populations including children, immigrants, and survivors. While much larger and broader in scope, its pro bono model and youth/family legal services overlap significantly with ALWAYS.
• Catholic Charities Community Services: Large national network of Catholic Charities agencies providing immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and social services. Comparable in serving immigrant and vulnerable populations, though operating at much larger scale and broader service mix than ALWAYS.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ALWAYSnonprofit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alwaysaz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services