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Massachusetts Appleseed Launches On-Demand Legal Rights Education Hub

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

May 15th, 2026 

Boston, MA — The Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is proud to announce the launch of its new On-Demand Legal Rights Education hub, a centralized online resource featuring recorded legal education videos designed to accompany the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook. The hub is now live and includes both English and Spanish versions of its first webinar, which provides an overview of the Handbook, as well as English and Spanish recordings of the Housing Rights chapter, all available for anyone to access at any time. Additional content covering subject-specific legal rights information will be released on a rolling basis. 

The Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook was created in partnership with global law firm Baker McKenzie to provide clear, accessible information on key legal issues including education, healthcare, housing, civic law, immigration, and mental health.  

“We are thrilled to continue to partner with Massachusetts Appleseed and believe the launch of an accompanying online hub of resources will dramatically increase access and use of the Handbook,” said Jaclyn Pampel, Partner and Director of North American Pro Bono at Baker McKenzie. 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. 

The new On-Demand Legal Rights Education hub builds on this work by transforming key handbook topics into engaging, easy to follow video presentations. These no cost recordings, including a Spanish language version, are designed for youth, service providers, educators, and community members, making critical legal information more accessible, flexible, and widely available. To further advance language access, all on-demand videos will include captions in both English and Spanish, ensuring users can engage with the content in ways that best meet their needs. 

Across Massachusetts, the need for accessible legal information for young people is urgent. Between 2023, and 2025, the number of youth in Boston without a stable place to sleep nearly doubled. At the same time, access to legal support remains limited, with only about 5 civil legal aid attorneys available for every 10,0000 individuals living in poverty. Without clear and accessible guidance, many young people are unable to access the protections and services they are legally entitled to. 

By offering these resources, Massachusetts Appleseed aims to equip professionals working with youth with tools they can share broadly within their organizations and communities. 

“We were thrilled by the engagement during our first webinar and inspired to see attendees thinking about how to bring the Handbook into their work,” said Ranjini Govender Dowley, President and Executive Director at Massachusetts Appleseed. “By connecting directly with educators, service providers, and advocates, we can amplify the impact of this resource and help ensure that young people across Massachusetts have access to the information and support they need.” 

The On-Demand Legal Rights Education hub is now available on the Massachusetts Appleseed website, where visitors can access current recordings in English and Spanish and stay tuned for additional videos to be added on a rolling basis.  

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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, 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 learn more about the On-Demand Legal Rights Education hub, explore the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook or donate, please visit massappleseed.org.   

Call on Lawmakers to Support Justice and Opportunity Across Massachusetts

 Across the Commonwealth, too many residents face barriers to accessing essential services, equitable education, and safe housing. These challenges disproportionately impact communities that have long been underserved, making it critical that we act now to advance policies that promote fairness, access, and opportunity for all.

Take Action

Several key bills this session would make meaningful progress toward a more just and equitable Massachusetts:

An Act relative to language access and inclusion H.3384/S.2125 would ensure that people with limited English proficiency can access critical government programs and resources that impact their safety, security, and well being, including healthcare, housing, and domestic violence services.

An Act to reduce exclusionary discipline for rules related to student grooming and dress H.576/S.368 would build on the passage of the CROWN Act by prohibiting schools from suspending or expelling students solely for dress code violations. These policies often disproportionately impact Black and brown girls and can reinforce harmful and discriminatory norms.

An Act allowing certain minors to consent to supportive services H.290/S.132 would expand access to shelter and supportive services for unaccompanied minors experiencing homelessness by allowing youth ages 15 and older to consent to services on their own. This change would help young people facing abuse, family conflict, or housing instability meet their basic needs and access support.

Together, these bills will help ensure equal access to government services, reduce harmful school discipline practices, and support youth experiencing homelessness on their path to safety and stability.

We have already started a message for you, click “Start Writing” above to add your own details and urge your legislators to co sponsor H.3384/S.2125, H.576/S.368, and H.290/S.132.

Taking action now can help build a stronger, more equitable Commonwealth for all.

Keep informed and 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 Instagram and LinkedIn. 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!

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

Keep Kids in Class and End Unfair Suspensions

Students depend on consistent access to classroom learning to succeed, yet too many are removed from school for dress and grooming rule violations. Lost instructional time, from early grades through high school, can have lasting negative impacts on academic achievement and long term outcomes. Disparities in discipline further deepen inequities. In Massachusetts, Black girls are three times more likely to be disciplined and five times more likely to receive an out of school suspension than their white peers. These disparities are often worsened by unclear policies that can be applied inconsistently or in discriminatory ways. A 2022 United States Government Accountability Office report found that about 90 percent of dress codes nationwide restrict clothing associated with girls, compared to 69 percent that restrict items associated with boys.

Take Action

Amendment #1389, filed as an outside section of the FY27 budget, would reduce the amount of time students miss in the classroom due to dress and grooming rule violations. It would ensure that students are not suspended solely for these violations and require that policies are clearly defined and fairly enforced to prevent discriminatory application. The amendment still allows schools to take appropriate action in cases involving bullying or harassment.

We have already started a message for you, click “Start Writing” above to add your own details and urge your State Representative to help ensure that the FY27 budget includes Amendment #1389.

Keeping students in the classroom is essential to their success and well being. Take one minute to speak up and support this important effort.

Keep informed and stay involved
Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action and support students and communities across Massachusetts by liking us on Facebook and following us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Check out our website for our most recent updates.

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

Thank you for advancing social justice in Massachusetts!

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

Advance Equitable Access to State Services by Eliminating Language Barriers Across Agencies

State agencies play a vital role in helping people meet basic needs, from accessing unemployment benefits to avoiding eviction and navigating the child welfare system. However, nearly one in four Massachusetts residents speaks a language other than English at home, and most state services remain English only, creating significant barriers that prevent hundreds of thousands of families from accessing the support they need.
Take Action

An Act relative to language access and inclusion H.3384/S.2622 (filed by Representatives Madaro and González and Senator DiDomenico), would address this crisis by standardizing and enforcing language access policies and practices at select state agencies to ensure all residents have equal access to the services and information they need.

We have already started a message for you. Click “Start Writing” above to add your own details and urge your legislator to advocate with the Chairs of the Ways and Means Committee to report H.3384/S.2622 out favorably and send it to the floor for a vote.

Language access is essential to the safety, stability, and well-being of our communities. Take this one-minute action to urge your legislator to support this important piece of legislation!

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 Instagram and LinkedIn. 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!

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