Court Accompaniment
In July 2026, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region officially launched a new supportive program for older adults in Contra Costa County.
The Court Accompaniment program aims to help older adults navigate the complexities of the legal system through trained volunteers and hands-on support.
For seniors facing legal matters such as elder abuse, eviction; a Meals on Wheels Diablo Region Court Accompaniment volunteer provides one-on-one support and encouragement to help clients overcome fear, build confidence, and navigate the court process with greater ease. The program pairs trained volunteers with adults age 60 and older who are involved in ongoing or upcoming legal proceedings.
The program does not provide legal advice, legal representation, or case advocacy. Instead, Court Companions are trained in elder abuse awareness and court protocols and are there to assist clients with taking notes, remembering key details, navigating the courthouse, and providing emotional support during stressful situations. Transportation may also be available to Court Accompaniment clients through partnerships with local transportation services, including Concord Taxi Cab in Central Contra Costa County.
Interested in Volunteering?
If you are interested in volunteering as a Court Companion, please contact volunteer@mowdr.org or call 925-655-9420.
In Need of Court Accompaniment?
If you or someone you know may benefit from Court Accompaniment for an ongoing or upcoming legal matter, please contact caremanagement@mowdr.org or call 925-482-1876.
The Court Accompaniment Program has been developed in partnership with The Congress of Neutrals, Contra Costa Senior Legal Services, the Family Justice Center, the Contra Costa Alliance to End Abuse of EHSD, and the Contra Costa County Court System.
This project is supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-24-GK-01585-ALLX awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibit are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.