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Massachusetts Appleseed Holds First Homeless Youth Handbook Webinar

April 3rd, 2026 

Boston, MA – Last week, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law & Justice held an orientation webinar focused on increasing the accessibility, reach, and use of the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, a practical legal resource covering 20 key topics affecting young people across the Commonwealth. The handbook was developed in 2021 in partnership with Baker McKenzie and has since undergone two revisions to keep the information current. The no-cost session marked the first in a series of online tools that will form a centralized hub, serving as a companion resource to the Handbook and strengthening connections with educators, service providers, and advocates working with youth. 

The webinar welcomed participants including service providers, educators, advocates, youth, and community members from across the state. Participants engaged in hands activity designed to familiarize them with the handbook and demonstrate how it can be used in real-world situations. For example, attendees were asked to locate the answer to the question: “What phone number can I call if I need to know where I can get food resources near me?” Using the handbook, participants identified the information in the Public Benefits chapter, which directs individuals to the Project Bread Hotline at (800) 645-8333 or by dialing 211. The activity helped illustrate how the handbook can serve as a practical tool for quickly finding critical information. 

Youth experiencing homelessness often face overlapping legal and systemic challenges that make access to reliable information especially critical. Approximately 1 in 10 young people ages 18–25 experience homelessness over the course of a year, yet only about 50% of eligible applicants receive legal assistance, highlighting significant gaps in access to support and resources for young people navigating complex systems. 

The Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook was developed to help address these challenges by providing accessible guidance on critical topics such as education, healthcare, housing, juvenile justice, immigration, and mental health. Each chapter is designed to be practical and easy to navigate, empowering youth and those who support them to better understand their rights and access essential services. 

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Massachusetts Appleseed Announces 2026 Priorities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2026

Boston, MA – Building on the progress and impact highlighted in the 2025 Impact Report, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, a statewide social justice research and advocacy nonprofit, published its priorities for 2026 last week, outlining the organization’s continued commitment to advancing justice and equity across the Commonwealth. Every day, people across Massachusetts are denied their rights and face barriers to accessing the government and legal systems meant to support them. As we move through 2026, our sense of urgency to address these inequities has never been greater.

Massachusetts Appleseed will continue to advance systemic change through research, policy advocacy, coalition building, and community education. Over the coming year, the organization will collaborate with more than 50 partner organizations across the state, expand its Know Your Rights trainings, grow its online community, and work with local media to spotlight ongoing inequities.

By publishing its 2026 priorities, Massachusetts Appleseed reaffirms its mission to dismantle barriers that perpetuate injustice and to ensure that all residents of Massachusetts have equal access to opportunity, services, and legal protections.

The full outline of Massachusetts Appleseed’s 2026 priorities and objectives is included here for readers who wish to learn more about the organization’s plans and initiatives for the year ahead.

 

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Building Pathways and Expanding Access to Justice: Our 2025 Impact Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2026

Boston, MA – Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, a statewide social justice research and advocacy nonprofit, launched its 2025 Impact Report in February, highlighting the organization’s progress, milestones, and measurable impact throughout the year. The report reflects Massachusetts Appleseed’s ongoing commitment to community education, strengthened partnerships, and advocacy to advance access to justice across the Commonwealth.

In 2025, Massachusetts Appleseed’s work contributed to tangible improvements in the lives of youth, adults, and families across Massachusetts. From expanding equitable access to government services, to supporting initiatives that promote stability and opportunity for youth experiencing homelessness, the organization’s programs continued to address systemic barriers and advance meaningful social change.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of Massachusetts Appleseed’s initiatives, outcomes, and continued dedication to building a more just and equitable Massachusetts. Key highlights include work to ensure language access through the Mass Speaks Coalition, the launch of the Justice in Actin Volunteer Corps (JAVC) supporting youth experiencing homelessness, and efforts to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline.

By sharing the 2025 Impact Report, Massachusetts Appleseed reaffirms its mission to dismantle barriers that perpetuate inequities and to ensure that all communities across the state have equal access to opportunity and justice.

 

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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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