Mass. Appleseed Announces New Executive Director

For Immediate Release

Deb Silva Executive Director

Deb Silva Executive Director

Boston, MA, June 16, 2016 – Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (Mass. Appleseed) announces today that it has selected Deborah Silva, Esq, as its new Executive Director. Starting in mid-July, Ms. Silva will lead Mass. Appleseed as it continues to pursue broad systemic reform initiatives focused on equity in public education and access to Massachusetts’ courts and legal system.

Silva has served as the Director of the Equal Justice Coalition for the past four years, within the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation. Equal Justice Coalition’s mission is to ensure civil legal assistance for low-income people in Massachusetts.

“Deborah is a talented advocate with extensive experience building coalitions around social policy initiatives and driving important change for Massachusetts residents,” said Martha Mazzone, Chair of the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice Board of Directors. “Throughout her career, she has demonstrated her commitment to equality and justice. We are excited to see Deborah put her energy and ideas to work at Mass. Appleseed.”

“This is an amazing opportunity to employ policy and research along with advocacy and collaboration to push reform in Massachusetts,” said Silva.

Silva holds a law degree from Boston College. She has 20 years’ experience in law and advocacy, having worked previously as Director of Public Policy for AIDS Action Committee, Legislative Director for the Mass Law Reform Institute, and Legislative Aide to former state Rep. Carl Sciortino. Silva lives in Arlington with her wife and two children.

About Mass. Appleseed

Mass. Appleseed has been instrumental in leading vital systemic reform initiatives for over 20 years. By building on its experience and expertise as a leader, a convener and a trusted research and policy resource, Mass. Appleseed has been a key voice in influencing policy on education, youth homelessness issues, and the courts in Massachusetts.

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Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice Thanks Its Former Executive Director for Her Service

For Immediate Release

Boston, MA, April 19, 2016 – Executive Director Joan Meschino of the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice has won the Democratic primary in the special election for the open State Senate seat in the Plymouth and Norfolk district. In the wake of her victory, Meschino resigned her post as Executive Director effective immediately. Meschino had been on a leave of absence during her primary run.

The Board of Directors of Massachusetts Appleseed extends its thanks and recognition to Meschino for her leadership over the past eight years. During Meschino’s tenure, Massachusetts Appleseed has championed due process rights and equal treatment for children who are suspended and expelled from school, access to education for homeless children, and access to justice for underserved populations. Board Chair Martha Mazzone said, “We at Massachusetts Appleseed are grateful for Joan’s tireless and effective work on behalf of the Center and the citizens of the Commonwealth. Joan is leaving our Center stronger than she found it. Through Joan’s leadership, we are on a clear path for continuing to serve the community by seeking systemic solutions to social justice issues.”

The Board of Directors of Massachusetts Appleseed wishes Meschino the very best in her future endeavors and thanks her for many years of friendship and service.

About MA Appleseed

MA Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. At MA Appleseed, we dedicate ourselves to remedying social injustices for at-risk and underserved children, youth, and adults. Working with volunteer lawyers, community partners, and others, we identify and address gaps in services and opportunities in areas such as education, homelessness, and the court system. Through in-depth research, community problem-solving, and consensus building, we develop powerful solutions that reform systems and structures.

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2016 School Climates Conference

2016 “Building Positive School Climates” Conference

MA Appleseed hosted its third “Building Positive School Climates” conference on April 11th, 2016 at Clark University in Worcester. The conference drew a diverse audience of over 200 people from across the state to discuss implementation of the new school discipline law and learn about alternatives to exclusionary zero tolerance policies. Remarks from high-ranking state leaders such as Chief Justice of the Juvenile Courts Amy Nechtem and Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester signaled a significant, multi-sector state-level commitment to school discipline reform, and poignant remarks from Worcester youth inspired many in the audience to consider incorporating Restorative Practices into their work. Overall, participants left feeling encouraged by some of the progress being made in the area of school discipline reform, and equipped with new networks and tools to help them continue this difficult but important work going forward.

Conference materials:

Conference Agenda
Speaker Bios
Presentation Abstracts

Keynote Address:
The Power of Mindsets: Creating a Positive School Climate
Dr. Robert Brooks

Plenary Presentation Materials:
School Discipline in Massachusetts: A Look at the 2015 Data
Rob Curtin, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Youth Perspectives on School Discipline
Carlos Rojas, Rebecca Holland, and Fania Joseph, Youth on Board
The Safe and Supportive Schools Framework
Susan Cole, Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative

Breakout Session Materials:
Deconstructing the School-to-Prison Pipeline: School-Court Collaborations
Honorable Jay D. Blitzman, Middlesex Juvenile Court
Community Schools and Wraparound Zones: Creating a Safe and Supportive Context for Student Success, Wraparound Coordinators, Worcester Public Schools; Dr. Claire Crane and Omar Longus, Center for Community Schools at Salem State University

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2016 Good Apple Reception

(L to R): Marty Mazzone, Mass. Appleseed Board Chair, Fidelity Investments and 2016 Good Apple Awardee Jeffrey Carp, State Street (L to R): Marty Mazzone, Mass. Appleseed Board Chair, Fidelity Investments and 2016 Good Apple Awardee Jeffrey Carp, State Street
(L to R): Marty Mazzone, Mass. Appleseed Board Chair, Fidelity Investments and 2016 Good Apple Awardee Jeffrey Carp, State Street (L to R): Justin Wolosz, Mass. Appleseed Board Member, Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, and Chris Hoyle, Mass. Appleseed Board Member, StoneTurn Group LLP (L to R): Mark Borden, Co-Chair, WilmerHale; Good Apple Awardee Jeff Carp, State Street; Dan Halston, Co-Chair, WilmerHale; Jay Bothwick, WilmerHale (L to R): Sara Shanahan, Mass. Appleseed Board Member, Sherin and Lodgen LLP; Bob Keefe, WilmerHale; Luigi De Ghenghi, Co-Chair, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (L to R): Jack Cleary, Co-Chair, Goodwin Procter LLP; Michael D'Orsi, Mass. Appleseed Board Member, Biogen Inc.; Patrick Fitzgerald, Co-Chair, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Edwin Smith, Co-Chair Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (L to R): John Alessi, Mass. Appleseed Board Member, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and Amy Karp, Mass. Appleseed Board Member, Committee for Public Counsel Services (L to R): Mike Collora, Mass. Appleseed Advisory Board Member, Collora LLP and Kristen Graves, Mass. Appleseed Board Member, Committee for Public Counsel Services (L to R): Matt D'Amico, Co-Chair, Bryan Cave and Carolyn Crowley, Mass. Appleseed Board Member, Eastern Bank
Mr. Jeff Carp, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of State Street Corporation

Mr. Jeff Carp, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of State Street Corporation

2016 Good Apple Reception

Massachusetts Appleseed hosted its 9th annual Good Apple Reception at the Boston Harbor Hotel on March 24, 2016. Massachusetts Appleseed presented the 2016 “Good Apple Award” to Jeffrey N. Carp, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of State Street Corporation for his “unwavering commitment to social justice, dedication to public service, and generosity of spirit.”Throughout his career, Mr. Carp has demonstrated his dedication to excellence in the law, public service, and social justice, both through his individual charitable work and in private business by promoting corporate responsibility and philanthropy as vehicles for positive change, particularly in the areas of hunger, housing, education, and workforce development.

Mr. Carp is Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of State Street Corporation. In this capacity, he is responsible for the legal, regulatory, and security functions globally, and a member of State Street’s Management Committee. Before joining State Street in 2006, Mr. Carp served as general counsel at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). Prior to joining MFS®, Mr. Carp spent 22 years in the corporate department of Hale & Dorr, LLP (now WilmerHale). Mr. Carp earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and economics from Tufts University and a Juris Doctor from George Washington University National Law School, where he served as an editor of The George Washington Law Review.

Active in numerous civic, educational, and charitable pursuits, Mr. Carp currently serves as a member of the board of directors for Project Bread — The Walk for Hunger. He previously served on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Boston. A leader in the legal community, Mr. Carp is a Member of the American and Massachusetts Bar Associations. Mr. Carp has lectured on various topics to legal and professional organizations and participates on industry conference panels. Mr. Carp is a “Good Apple” in the truest sense.

 

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