GIVING BACK

Giving back to the North Lake Tahoe community and beyond is a core value of Nicky Byrnes Photography. When you book a session with me, you are contributing to monthly donations to two non profits that I believe strongly in.

Sierra Community House is an incredible non-profit that connects and empowers our community through family strengthening, crisis intervention, hunger relief and legal services.

Their programs range from weekly food boxes, a 24-hour crisis line, assistance in finding housing, I could go on forever. I believe whole-heatedly in their mission of lifting up and serving all people so that we can have a thriving community and workforce.

Chicago was my home before I moved to Tahoe and it is still near and dear to my heart. In 2020, several of my friends became involved with the Chicago Community Bond Fund and educated me on how unjust bond process can be.

The Chicago Community Bond Fund (CCBF) pays bond for people charged with crimes in Cook County, Illinois. Through a revolving fund, CCBF supports individuals whose communities cannot afford to pay the bonds themselves and who have been impacted by structural violence. Inability to pay bonds results in higher rates of conviction, longer sentences, loss of housing and jobs, separation of families, and lost custody of children. By paying bond, CCBF restores the presumption and innocence before trial and enables recipients to remain free whilst fighting their cases. CCBF also engages in public education about the role of the bond in the criminal leagl system and advocates for the abolition of money bond. CCBF is committed to long-term relationship building and organizing with people most directly impacted by criminalization and policing.