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Urge Your Senator to Support Youth Experiencing Homelessness in the State Budget!

 

It’s budget season, and that means we have important opportunities to fight for necessary funding and overdue policy change.

This year, we’re supporting two key amendments filed by Senator Kennedy:

Amendment #555 would increase funding for housing and supportive services for unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness (budget line item 4000-0007) from $11 million to $12 million. This increased investment is vital to match the scale of need across the state and help create a sustained and effective response to end youth homelessness.

Amendment #851 would ease the process for unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness to obtain state identification, an initiative that has previously seen widespread support in the legislature. Again and again, service providers report the difficulty their young clients face in obtaining ID and how this barrier worsens their daily struggles. Young people need state ID to apply for jobs, access public services, open a bank account, and accomplish a host of other important life tasks. It’s long past time to get this common-sense reform signed into law.

TAKE ACTION

It is impossible to overstate the lifetime toll homelessness can take on young people, increasing their risk of poor health outcomes, exposure to violence, susceptibility to exploitation, and dropping out of school. This is especially urgent right now and as young people continue to endure trauma and upheaval in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, making sure they have the resources they need to build pathways toward stability and thrive is crucial.

The budget is a reflection of our values, and we cannot let this opportunity to support our state’s most vulnerable youth slip by. Please take action today and urge your State Senator to co-sponsor and support budget amendments #555 and #851.

 

Keep informed & stay involved!

Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action and support Massachusetts families and youth by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter and Instagram! Check out our website for our most recent news.

To support our work, please consider giving a donation today.

Thank you for advancing social justice in Massachusetts!

 

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Massachusetts Appleseed Welcomes Two New Members to Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boston, MA, May 3, 2023 – Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a Boston-based research and advocacy nonprofit, welcomed Kerry L. Timbers and Ryan LaRue to its Board of Directors during the organization’s Board Meeting on February 13, 2023.

Kerry L. Timbers, Sunstein LLP

Kerry L. Timbers (he/him/his) is Managing Partner at Sunstein LLP, an intellectual property law firm based in Boston. Mr. Timbers has extensive experience in IP litigation involving complex patent disputes across a range of industries, including life sciences, technology, and consumer-oriented products. Recognized by his peers as a top-notch litigator, Mr. Timbers has been named a Best Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and a WTR 1000 “Recommended Individual.”

At Sunstein, Mr. Timbers collaboratively developed and co-leads the Practicum Program, providing underrepresented students from New England Law | Boston a network of support and a safe space to address how implicit bias and stigma can prevent new lawyers from “bringing their authentic self” to the workplace. MA Appleseed’s Staff Attorney Kayla Pulliam was a previous participant in the program, and Mr. Timbers recently accepted the American Bar Association’s “Alexander Legal Ambassador Award” on behalf of Sunstein in recognition of the Practicum’s contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“I am delighted to join the MA Appleseed’s Board of Directors and look forward to continuing to support their mission to promote equitable access to justice and opportunity through research, collaboration, and advocacy,” said Mr. Timbers. “It is also wonderful to have the chance to connect with Kayla Pulliam again, who I was fortunate to meet while teaching our Practicum Program.”

Ryan LaRue, StoneTurn

As a Managing Director at StoneTurn, Ryan LaRue (he/him/his) assists and advises clients and counsel with forensic accounting, complex litigation, and compliance and monitoring matters, as well as regulatory enforcement inquiries and internal investigations. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the state of New York and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Mr. LaRue brings his financial expertise and enthusiasm for collaboration to Appleseed’s work.  In 2019, he was honored by the American Institute of CPAs as a member of the Leadership Academy’s 11th graduating class and was selected for his exceptional leadership skills and professional experience.

“I am honored to join the Massachusetts Appleseed Board and look forward to supporting the organization as it continues to do important work for our community,” said Mr. LaRue. “I am thoroughly impressed with the team and my fellow Board members, and I am excited to work together to support Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission.”

“Kerry and Ryan each have a unique and critical skillset and we are honored to welcome them to our Board of Directors,” said Melanie Todman, Chair of the Board. “We are facing an exciting opportunity to build on recent victories this year, but are simultaneously facing new challenges that threaten to roll back years of progress. As we dig in to hold onto the ground we’ve gained and expand MA Appleseed’s reach and impact across the Commonwealth in this urgent moment, their contributions will immeasurably strengthen the organization at every level.”

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About Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

MA Appleseed is driven by a mission to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. Through policy analysis and research, coalition building, education and training, community organizing, and advocacy, the nonprofit seeks systems-level change so all Massachusetts families and youth can exercise their legal rights, build pathways out of poverty and crisis, and thrive. Responding to emerging and enduring inequities, MA Appleseed addresses an array of complex issues including self-representation in the civil justice system, language access for immigrant families, the school-to-prison pipeline, and youth homelessness. To explore recent research, find resources, sign up for opportunities to take action, or donate, please visit massappleseed.org.

 

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