About Our Research: Using Focus Groups as a Data Collection Method

Given our community-based research approach at MA Appleseed, we collect data in several ways. Whether qualitative or quantitative, we center racial equity and lived experience in our process to ensure that those impacted by the issues we study have their voices heard. 

In the next several blog posts, we outline the data collection methods we employ, including qualitative surveys, semi-structured interviews, and quantitative data requests from state agencies. This post will dig into focus groups. 

One way we uplift the voices of impacted individuals on a particular topic is hosting small focus groups with community members. These structured sessions allow us to hold and create space for impacted individuals to share their experiences in a supportive and validating setting, bring community together, and gain a deeper understanding of the issue at hand from those directly facing it.  

We prioritize intentional community outreach to recruit participants, oftentimes partnering with direct service providers who already serve the populations we are focusing on. Our existing relationships with partner organizations help to facilitate this outreach. For example, we got feedback on an ad campaign for the Homeless Youth Handbook from The Home for Little Wanderers, where we have previously given Know-Your-Rights presentations. Additionally, we hold focus groups in locations that are convenient for participants and provide a meal and financial compensation for their time and expertise.  

One of our current projects is investigating the state of language access in the MA Trial Courts for litigants who are Limited English Proficient or Deaf and Hard of Hearing. As part of this research effort, we held focus groups with impacted community members who speak different languages. To make these sessions feel more genuine, familiar, and comfortable for participants, we found facilitators who spoke the relevant language to eliminate the need for an interpreter. 

In all, focus groups are a great resource in our toolkit when we want to understand the everyday experiences of marginalized and minoritized individuals interacting with institutions such as the criminal legal, education, and public benefits systems. That said, they require deep relationship building and must not be transactional in a way that only benefits the researcher.  

The next blog post in this series will explain our use of qualitative surveys. Stay tuned! 

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MA Appleseed Welcomes Melina Muñoz Turco and Lyndsey Stults to the Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boston, MA, February 18, 2025 – Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a social justice research and advocacy nonprofit, welcomed Melina Muñoz Turco and Lyndsey Stults to its Board of Directors on November 18, 2024.  

Melina Muñoz Turco, Turco Legal, P.C.

Melina Muñoz Turco (she/her/hers) is Turco Legal, P.C.’s Director of Community Engagement, leading the firm’s philanthropic efforts and managing projects that make legal information more accessible to the public. She began her public service career as a legislative aide, first in the Boston City Council and then in the Massachusetts State Senate. She later joined the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center as the statewide Forensics Legal Advocate, an experience which inspired her to pursue a legal career. Melina brings extensive understanding of the ways legal issues impact people’s ability to live healthy lives from her time supporting the medical-legal partnership at both the Central West Justice Center and the Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts. She eventually went on to serve as a staff attorney at the Boston Court Service Center, where she provided information and assistance to pro se litigants. Melina dedicates her time as a volunteer with the Massachusetts Bar Association and additionally serves on the Racial Justice Committee of the YWCA Greater Newburyport. In 2023, she won a Massachusetts Bar Association Volunteer Recognition Award for her work and, in 2024, received an Excellence in the Law: Up and Coming Lawyers Award from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Melina is also the Co-Founder of JusticeApp, a free mobile app designed to help those with legal issues more easily navigate the court process. 

“I’m deeply honored to join the Massachusetts Appleseed Board and am eager to support the organization in advancing its mission,” said Ms. Muñoz Turco. “Throughout my legal career, I’ve witnessed the profound and meaningful impact of Appleseed’s work in promoting equity and justice. I hope to draw on my knowledge and experience to help strengthen its efforts in creating transformative, systemic change.” 

Lyndsey Stults, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Lyndsey Stults (she/her/hers) is a Partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, where she focuses on complex commercial litigation and counseling institutions of higher education. She brings significant appellate experience as a former assistant district attorney at the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, where she wrote appellate briefs and argued several cases before the Massachusetts Appeals Court. Her commitment to advancing civil rights blossomed in law school as she worked with a range of organizations and agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Family Equality Council, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, Equality Illinois, and the John Marshall Law School Veterans Legal Clinic. An active volunteer with MA Appleseed, Lyndsey has contributed hours and expertise to the organization’s Access to Justice Initiative alongside her Nelson Mullins colleagues, helping examine language access policies across the country to inform recommendations for change in Massachusetts’ own courts.

“I am deeply honored to join the Board of Massachusetts Appleseed, an organization at the forefront of advocating for system solutions to promote justice, access, and opportunities across Massachusetts,” said Ms. Stults. “I look forward to supporting Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission, and I am excited to collaborate with fellow Board members and advocates along the way.” 

“I am thrilled with the recent election of two new Directors to our Board, Melina Munoz Turco of Turco Legal, P. C., and Lyndsey Stults of Nelson Mullins LLP, all of whom have long shared and supported the values we embrace at Appleseed,” said John Shutkin, Appleseed’s newly elected Board Chair.  

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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.   

 

Want to stay informed on the latest issues Massachusetts Appleseed is working on?
Sign up for our mailing list.

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John Shutkin and Wesley Gee Elected Chair and Vice Chair of Massachusetts Appleseed’s Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boston, MA, February 7, 2025 – The Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice Board of Directors unanimously voted to appoint John Shutkin as Chair at its Board meeting on January 28, 2025. He succeeds Melanie Todman, Senior Legal Counsel at Massachusetts General Brigham, who served as Board Chair since 2019 and who will remain on the Board.  

Additionally, the Board unanimously elected Wesley Gee, Partner at ArentFox Schiff LLP, as the new Vice Chair, succeeding Mr. Shutkin who served as Board Vice Chair since 2019. 

“It has been an honor to serve as Chair of the Board over the past several years, and I thank my fellow Board members for their collaboration and trust,” said Ms. Todman. “I join the rest of the Board in congratulating John, who has a strong commitment to moving Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission and projects forward, as well as Wes, the Board’s new Vice Chair. I am confident that, under their leadership, Appleseed will continue to address the systemic barriers that keep equal opportunity out of reach for so many in our state.” 

John Shutkin, CliftonLarsonAllen (retired)

John. Shutkin has extensive legal experience including serving as the General Counsel of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, KPMG International, and the law firm of Shearman & Sterling LLP. Throughout his career, he has devoted his time to working for equal justice and educational excellence, especially for communities in need, serving on the boards of the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, the Partnership for After School Education (PASE), the Bank Street College of Education, and the National Center for Law and Economic Justice. Mr. Shutkin is a committed member of the Appleseed Network and previously served on the Board of Massachusetts Appleseed’s sister center, Connecticut Appleseed, and currently serves as an Affiliate Member on the National Appleseed Foundation’s Board. 

“I want to extend my deepest thanks to Melanie Todman for her tireless work as Chair before me, and to the Board of Directors for their confidence in me to serve in this new role,” said Mr. Shutkin. “Appleseed’s work to break down systemic barriers affecting our most vulnerable residents is more important than ever, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board and Marcy and Appleseed’s amazing and dedicated staff to continue moving Appleseed’s vital mission and projects forward.” 

Wesley Gee, Partner at ArentFox Schiff LLP

Wesley Gee is a Partner in ArentFox Schiff’s Boston Office and his practice focuses on advising clients on corporate and commercial matters across a wide range of industries, including sports and entertainment, fashion, consumer products, and healthcare. A dedicated member of ArentFox’s Pro Bono Committee, Mr. Gee has guided multiple nonprofit organizations through the formation and tax-exempt status processes and routinely advises these organizations on a wide array of legal issues. In his time on the Board of Directors, Mr. Gee has generously supported the organization’s work, being involved on the Finance Committee and now as Vice Chair, will also chair the Governance Committee.   

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work alongside John, the Board, Marcy, and Appleseed’s staff to advance Appleseed’s vital mission and projects as Vice Chair,” said Mr. Gee. “I also want to thank my fellow Board members for their trust in me and express my deep gratitude to Melanie Todman for her years of leadership and wisdom. I will carry forward the lessons learned as we look toward the future.”  

Massachusetts Appleseed is thrilled to have Mr. Shutkin and Mr. Gee at the helm, along with Interim Executive Director Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, as the organization charts its path forward. 

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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.   

 

Want to stay informed on the latest issues Massachusetts Appleseed is working on?
Sign up for our mailing list.

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