Oregon Women Lawyers Society (OWLS)
Mary Leonard* Chapter 
2019 Salem Day Out for CourtCare
An Alley Party in support of Mid-Valley Court Care
Saturday, June 1, 2019 in the alley @Taproot (State between Liberty and Commercial)
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Salem Day Out for CourtCare has something for everyone and is a great way to enjoy our Salem community and support a great cause.  This event aims to raise between $10,000 and $20,000 for Mid-Valley CourtCare! 

• Enjoy delicious food and drink!
• Featuring exciting games, raffle prizes, and auction items!
• We're planning fun for the kids too! 

Watch this page for updates on event details. Tickets will go on sale in mid-April.

(*Mary Leonard has a fascinating story and was the first woman admitted to the bar in Oregon - click here for more)

What is CourtCare?

CourtCare is free child care for children ages six weeks to 12 years in a safe, supportive, and quality environment. Children are spared from witnessing adult conflict, hearing harsh words, and seeing potentially disturbing scenes which could traumatize or even re-traumatize them. If both parent and child are supported during the child’s early stages of life, it makes an enormous impact on the child’s future health and development. What children see and experience in early childhood affects both their brain development and their health.

Why is CourtCare Needed?

Imagine having to go to court for divorce proceedings, a sex abuse trial, a domestic violence case… now imagine not having child care and you have to take your young children with you. This is a current reality for families in both Marion and Polk Counties. Children should not have to be in the room while legal proceedings are taking place. Those involved in the courts have seen babies and toddlers left unattended in hallways while their parents are in courtrooms; young children sent to restrooms unsupervised; children seeing their parents upset and emotional about adult conflicts; children watching as a parent is arrested and taken into custody; children hearing adults talking about family violence, restraining orders, custody disputes, or criminal behavior of family members… thus the need for CourtCare.

OverviewMid-Valley CourtCare provides free, high quality care from trained early childhood staff in a licensed child care setting. Children must be at least six weeks of age and not older than 12 years.  CourtCare hours of operation listed here begin September 5, 2017.  Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Register online now to reserve your spot!

In Marion County, CourtCare is operated by the Salem Family YMCA, located across from the Marion County Courthouse in downtown Salem.  Please use the child care entrance off of Cottage Street.  Marion County CourtCare is available to anyone with court-related business or a court-related appointment.  

Marion County CourtCare is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

In Polk County, CourtCare is operated by Family Building Blocks at the Academy Building near the Polk County Courthouse in Dallas.  Polk County CourtCare is available to anyone who needs to conduct business with the court system or local social service agencies including, but not limited to: Polk County Behavioral Health, Public Health, DHS, or Housing.  

Polk County CourtCare is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Despite the cool certificate, the admission itself is nothing much -- it's what you can do with it that makes it worth having.
I have a client with a case that really needs to be brought in federal court.  So, despite my strong preference for my walking commute and my distaste for hauling up and down the valley as part of the workday, it's off to federal court I go. 


I appreciate the opportunity that my veteran client has given me to bring a substantial case that I think will right a substantial wrong.  It even makes getting up in time to catch a train at 0642 worth it.  Thank goodness for Amtrak.