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Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice and Liberty Mutual Insurance Expand Youth Homelessness Project

Liberty Mutual Media Contact:
Molly Stern
Molly.Stern@libertymutual.com
617-470-4898

MA Appleseed Media Contact:
Madeline Poage
madeline@massappleseed.org
617-482-8686

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 7, 2023

Boston, March 7, 2023 – Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a Boston-based research and advocacy nonprofit, announced that it has received a $50,000 grant from Liberty Mutual Foundation to expand MA Appleseed’s project providing access to justice for youth experiencing homelessness. The Foundation also provided a $5,000 supplemental operating grant to reflect the impact of inflation on the economy.

“Liberty Mutual Foundation is a leader in the work to prevent and end youth homelessness and we are so grateful for this investment in our initiative to build a more robust legal safety net for young people experiencing homelessness,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of MA Appleseed. “Liberty Mutual’s partnership will allow us to help break down the barriers that trap young people in crisis and give them the tools they need to stay safe and housed for good. The generous supplemental operating grant further demonstrates Liberty Mutual’s understanding of our shared challenges as rising costs have forced nonprofits to do more with less.”

State data and reports from frontline service providers paint a clear picture of the way legal problems regularly intersect with a young person’s life and can impede their efforts to meet basic needs. A common barrier points to the inability for unaccompanied youth to easily obtain a state ID, which they need to access housing, employment, public benefits and more. Similarly, young people aging out of foster care lack traditional support systems and as many as 40 percent of former foster youth will experience homelessness, often because they are not aware of their legal rights.

MA Appleseed took a step towards addressing this problem in 2021 when the organization published the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, a state-specific resource guide for youth experiencing homelessness. The handbook includes 20 chapters on common legal questions to help young people understand their rights and responsibilities as well as direct them to support systems across the state. Under the guidance of Liberty Mutual’s pro bono program, 29 members of their legal team donated a total of 460 hours to draft chapters of the Massachusetts handbook. The resource was also developed in partnership with law firm Baker McKenzie, attorneys from Boston Scientific, community experts, and youth with lived experience.

“Housing insecurity is a complex social justice issue that can disrupt every aspect of life,” said Melissa MacDonnell, President of Liberty Mutual Foundation. “For youth still trying to figure out how to transition into adulthood, it can be a devastating setback. Liberty Mutual is proud to partner with Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice to help young people navigate challenging times – so they can build the sustainable and promising future they deserve.”

Youth homelessness is a signature program within Liberty Mutual’s corporate giving strategy, committing over $24 million to youth homelessness efforts since 2018. The company has partnered with organizations that have helped more than 3,800 young people exit to stable housing and nearly 1,200 young people find transitional housing.

This grant will help fund the expansion of MA Appleseed’s Legal Education, Advocacy, and Protections (LEAP) Project for Youth Experiencing Homelessness, enabling the organization to reach more young people directly and raise greater awareness of the Homeless Youth Handbook, increase educational programming around this know-your-rights guide, and ensure staff can keep it up to date as laws change and new resources become available. In addition, the organization plans to use the Handbook as a foundational tool to create a legal network of pro bono attorneys available to dedicate their time and expertise to youth experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

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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.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people and businesses embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow.

In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today we are the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2020 gross written premium. We also rank 78 on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the US based on 2021 revenue. As of December 31, 2022, we had $50 billion in annual consolidated revenue. 

We employ over 50,000 people in 29 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, specialty lines, reinsurance, commercial multiple-peril, workers compensation, commercial automobile, general liability, surety, and commercial property.

For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com. 

 

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Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice Awarded a 2023 Community Grant Through Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand’s Black Community Commitment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Person:
Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
Madeline Poage
madeline@massappleseed.org

Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice in Boston, Massachusetts has been selected for a one-time grant from Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand’s Community Grant Program, an initiative of its joint 10-year, $100 million Black Community Commitment (BCC), created in 2020.

Jordan Community Grants are awarded once a year to grassroots, non-profit organizations that are driving action and leading sustainable solutions to improve Black lives in their neighborhoods. As part of the 2023 BCC Community Grant cycle, and in honor of Michael Jordan’s 60th birthday, $2.3M in grant funds were awarded to 48 organizations, including MA Appleseed with a local connection to the initiative’s four key focus areas of economic justice, education, narrative change, and social justice.

Building on the efforts of the BCC, MA Appleseed will use the grant funds to take action through its mission to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. Additionally, MA Appleseed will invest further in expanding its community organizing strategies to center Black and brown girls in conversations around the school-to-prison pipeline, amplify student voices, and effect positive policy change in schools that is grounded in restorative justice.

“MA Appleseed is honored to have been chosen for a one-time grant by Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand to support our initiatives advancing social justice through powerful policy change,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of MA Appleseed. “The COVID-19 pandemic shone a spotlight on how entrenched racial and economic injustices destabilize the most vulnerable among us. As communities continue to recover from the trauma of the last few years, this is a pivotal moment where we can build on recent victories and continue to expand equitable access to justice and opportunity in our courts, our schools, and at every level of public life.”

“Creating more equitable futures for Black people starts with an intentional journey. So, as our Jordan Brand family celebrates Michael’s 60th birthday, we are thrilled to welcome these organizations committed to accelerating progress in their communities,” says Craig Williams, Jordan Brand President.

This is the third cycle of the Community Grant Program as part of Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand’s commitment to the Black community. 

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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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Law Firm Goodwin Supports Racial and Gender Justice in Massachusetts Schools Through Donation to Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

Media Contact: Madeline Poage,
madeline@massappleseed.org
617-482-8686

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 26, 2022

Boston, Dec. 26, 2022 – Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a Boston-based research and advocacy nonprofit, announced it has received a $15,000 donation from global law firm Goodwin that will help expand its work to advance racial and gender justice in Massachusetts schools.

“Goodwin is a leader in the Boston legal community, and we are extraordinarily lucky to count the firm among Appleseed’s longtime partners,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of MA Appleseed. “This generous donation will provide critical support as we dismantle the policies and practices that harm girls of color caught in the intersection of racial and gender-based discrimination whose lives are disrupted by unjust school discipline. We are so grateful for Goodwin’s continued investment to help us move the needle on entrenched social justice problems.”

Racial disparities in education have long persisted, and COVID-19 left many students struggling with pandemic-related trauma and learning gaps. With the resulting surge in behavioral and mental health issues among students, concerns for school safety and subsequent calls for increased punitive discipline and policing have reemerged in the public discourse. MA Appleseed has joined fellow advocacy groups in condemning the use of harsh, exclusionary discipline and are instead pushing for solutions that center students’ health and well-being.

“Goodwin is thrilled to continue supporting MA Appleseed and its important mission,” said Alison Douglass, Goodwin partner. “As a member of MA Appleseed’s board, I have a front-row seat to their incredible work in the areas of social, racial and gender justice, and look forward to continuing our firm’s long-standing partnership with the organization.” 

This donation will help fund the expansion of MA Appleseed’s initiative to end the criminalization of girls of color, who face disproportionate levels of discipline that push them out of the classroom. Following the publication of their latest community-led report examining this issue, the organization has launched a multi-pronged advocacy campaign to create safe and affirming school cultures grounded in restorative practices where every student can succeed. The firm’s donation will also help MA Appleseed deepen its grassroots organizing power as the nonprofit continues to grow its community engagement capacity and expands its impact in Gateway Cities like Malden, Lawrence, and Lowell.

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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.

About Goodwin

We are in the business of building authentic, long-term relationships with our clients, who are some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors at the convergence of and within the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries. Our immersive understanding of these industries — combined with our expertise across high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions — sets us apart. At Goodwin, we are committed to building a more diverse and inclusive community. Learn more about our Diversity, Equity + Inclusion efforts.

 

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Massachusetts Appleseed Presents 14th Annual Good Apple Award Honoring Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance

Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance

Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance and recipient of the 2021 Good Apple Award.

For Immediate Release

Boston, MA – On October 14, 2021, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice honored Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance, with its 14th annual Good Apple Award. Enrique Colbert, General Counsel of Wayfair and recipient of the 2020 Good Apple Award, was also recognized during the event program following the cancellation of last year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each year, Massachusetts Appleseed presents the Good Apple Award to a member of the Massachusetts legal or business community who exemplifies the organization’s commitment to public service, fairness, and social justice. This year’s event was held virtually and raised more than $300,000. The Good Apple Award Reception serves as Massachusetts Appleseed’s annual fundraiser and provides core funding for the advocacy organization’s work to expand equitable access to justice and opportunity for families and youth.

“Karen sets the very highest bar for members of the legal community – an unyielding commitment to the pursuit of social justice, excellence in the law, and an unwavering belief that we lawyers have an essential role to play in fostering a future where justice is achievable for all,” said Melanie Todman, Chair of Massachusetts Appleseed’s Board of Directors. “We were so thrilled to be joined by Karen’s wide circle of colleagues, friends, and family to thank her for all she does, and we ended the evening inspired by her call to action and words of wisdom.”

As Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance, Karen Morton leads a team of approximately 180 compliance professionals in 29 countries and economies around the world. During her career at Liberty Mutual, which commenced in 2006, Ms. Morton also served as the Deputy General Counsel for the Litigation and Coverage Group and Vice President and Counsel for Employment, Benefits and Executive Compensation and Corporate Real Estate. Prior to joining Liberty Mutual, Ms. Morton was an attorney with John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation. Ms. Morton received her B.A. from Tufts University and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, and is a member of the Board for Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a non-profit agency which serves homeless and at-risk youth. She has also received numerous awards for championing diversity and inclusion.

“The recent pandemic and social justice issues in our country have shown us that there is still much work that needs to be done,” said Ms. Morton. “As legal practitioners, we are uniquely positioned to provide the expertise and support to create real change.”

Wayne Budd, Senior Counsel at Goodwin Procter LLP, introduced Ms. Morton during the event and spoke of her extraordinary leadership, remarking, “Service to the public, seeker of social justice, and a steadfast dedication to assisting in the achievement of fairness and equity have been the hallmarks of her life.”

The event also highlighted one of Massachusetts Appleseed’s key projects, the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, a know-your-rights guide designed to help youth experiencing homelessness overcome legal barriers and build safe, stable futures. Made possible through partnerships with numerous community organizations and pro bono partners, including Champion sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance, Massachusetts Appleseed is now delivering know-your-rights trainings to create a stronger legal safety net for vulnerable youth around the state.

“As we work to build pathways out of crisis for families and youth across Massachusetts, it has never been more important to take the time to recognize the leaders in our legal community guiding the way,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed. “Karen’s commitment to building a better, fairer world inspires us every day, and we are so proud to present her with this year’s Good Apple Award.”

Recent past recipients of the Good Apple Award include Bob Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank, Senator William “Mo” Cowan, former President of Global Government Affairs and Policy at GE; and Jonathan Chiel, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Fidelity Investments.

Massachusetts Appleseed thanks the many generous supporters of the 14th annual Good Apple Award Reception, including Champion sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance and Sustainer sponsors WilmerHale, Fidelity Investments, Goodwin Procter LLP, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates.

Champion Sponsor

About Massachusetts Appleseed

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. The nonprofit researches and identifies the ways in which the justice system, schools, and government agencies have systematically failed impoverished and vulnerable communities, challenges harmful public policies that perpetuate injustices and inequities, advocates for statewide policy solutions, and develops know-your-rights resources for those impacted. (https://massappleseed.org)

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Wesley T. Gee, David A. Michel, and Michelle R. Pascucci Join Massachusetts Appleseed’s Board of Directors

For Immediate Release

BOSTON, MA, August 24, 2021 – Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice welcomed Wesley T. Gee, Associate at Arent Fox LLP, David A. Michel, Partner at Sherin and Lodgen LLP, and Michelle R. Pascucci, Attorney at Donnelly, Conroy, & Gelhaar, LLP, to its Board of Directors during the organization’s Annual Meeting on June 29, 2021. Massachusetts Appleseed is a nonprofit organization that advocates for systemic reform in areas such as access to justice, educational justice, and youth homelessness and is grateful to have Mr. Gee, Mr. Michel, and Ms. Pascucci, three accomplished and talented attorneys, join the Board.

Wesley T. Gee

Wesley T. Gee, Arent Fox LLP

Wesley Gee is an Associate in Arent Fox’s Boston office and his practice focuses on advising clients on corporate matters in the sports, fashion, and entertainment industries. He has represented professional sports franchises, sports and entertainment facilities, and sponsors, including the Los Angeles Lakers, SoFi Stadium, and Amazon, and luxury designer brands such as Diane von Furstenberg and Yves Saint Laurent. A dedicated member of Arent Fox’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.

“It’s an honor and privilege to join the Board of an organization that is dedicated to advancing policy initiatives to protect Massachusetts’ most vulnerable citizens,” said Wesley Gee. “I look forward to supporting Massachusetts Appleseed’s critical work to improve access to justice for all.”

David A. Michel

David A. Michel, Sherin and Lodgen LLP

As a Partner in Sherin and Lodgen LLP’s Litigation Department, David Michel represents companies in a variety of complex civil and commercial disputes, including real estate, construction and employment matters, in federal and state court and through alternative dispute resolution. Prior to joining S&L, Mr. Michel was a Staff Attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services’ Public Defender Division and brings to the Appleseed Board a deep understanding of the need to improve and guarantee access to justice for vulnerable litigants. He demonstrated his commitment to public interest law early as submissions editor for the Boston University Public Interest Law Journal.

“I’m honored to join the Appleseed Board and have been thoroughly impressed with the work Appleseed has accomplished during Sherin and Lodgen’s long history with the organization,” said David Michel. “As a former Public Defender, I have seen firsthand the importance of access to justice and hope to use my experiences to help Appleseed advance their important work.”

Michelle R. Pascucci

Michelle R. Pascucci, Donnelly, Conroy, & Gelhaar, LLP

Michelle Pascucci is an associate with Donnelly, Conroy & Gelhaar, LLP, where she represents individuals and corporations facing criminal, civil, and institutional investigations. As a former federal prosecutor with the Department of Justice Fraud Section in Washington D.C., she investigated and litigated a variety of white-collar cases across the United States. While at the Department of Justice, Ms. Pascucci also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Ms. Pascucci clerked for the Honorable George A. O’Toole, Jr. for the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the Honorable Juan R. Torruella for the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

“I am honored to join the Massachusetts Appleseed Board of Directors,” said Michelle Pascucci. “I have been so impressed by Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission to promote equal rights for Massachusetts citizens and am excited to help advance and promote that mission as a member of the Board.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Wesley, David, and Michelle to our Board and excited to see their broad range of skills and knowledge impact our work,” said Melanie Todman, Chair of the Board. “We find ourselves at a critical point, where the promise of systemic change is possible, and the organizing power of our communities demonstrates that we can meet the immense challenges of our time head-on. I am grateful to have such extraordinary professionals join us in furthering the mission of Massachusetts Appleseed.”

About Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice:

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. We research the ways in which the justice system, schools, and government agencies are systematically failing our most vulnerable residents. We collaborate with community partners to ensure that recommended plans of action are practical and comprehensive. We advocate for the implementation of solutions that will create lasting change.

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Four Centers Within the Appleseed Network File Public Comments with the U.S. Department of Education on the State of School Discipline in America

Advocacy Organizations Urge Biden Administration to Ramp Up Enforcement of Federal Civil Rights Laws in Schools Across the United States

WASHINGTON – Four member organizations of Appleseed, a network of justice centers, submitted public comments to the United States Department of Education on Thursday, July 22, concerning the national state of school discipline. By focusing on four questions posed by the Department of Education to the public, Texas Appleseed, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, and Kansas Appleseed illustrate how school policing, gang databases, discriminatory dress codes, and classroom removals hinder millions of young people from achieving their full potential in classrooms across America.

“To remedy racial discrimination in the administration of school discipline, it necessitates more than data collection and analysis; more than investigating disproportionate representation of students of color in exclusionary discipline and law enforcement referrals; more than implementing intervention-focused discipline strategies to avoid perpetuating the school-to-prison pipeline,” said Dr. Vicky Luna Sullivan, Esq, a senior staff attorney for the Education Justice Project at Texas Appleseed.

“It demands confronting the root causes of the discriminatory administration of the student discipline, attacking the systemic racial discrimination that occurs by implicit bias and deficit thinking in our schools, and valiantly activating a fundamental transformation that is free of racial discrimination,” she continued.

The public comments examine the detrimental impact of the “hardening” of schools, namely through increasing budget allocations to policing, security, and surveillance. The Centers also uplift some of the approaches highlighted in the 2014 Dear Colleague Letter, which clarified that a school district’s federal funding is contingent upon the non-discriminatory administration of school discipline. These methods of engagement include, but are not limited to, positive behavioral strategies, restorative justice, and multi-tiered systems of support. 

“The Biden Administration should use all available tools to address the rampant misuse of exclusionary discipline and school policing in our nation’s schools,” said Mike Fonkert, the director of the Just Campaign for Kansas Appleseed. “For instance, memos of understanding can be very helpful tools to clarify that school police officers should not be involved in routine discipline. By creating a robust model framework that can be consistently applied across the nation, the Office for Civil Rights would make progress on ending the school-to-prison pipeline, which systematically harms Black and Brown students in Kansas at higher rates than White students.”

“We’ve seen horrendous cases occur, when local and state investments in school policing go unchecked, including sexual abuse of young people at the hands of school police officers on their school campuses. We need to make sure children can feel safe in their own schools,” said Jennifer Rainville, the education policy attorney for the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center. 

The public comments also emphasize that inadequate data collection stands as a grave hindrance to education justice campaigns across the United States. 

“If we’re going to push for policy change that repairs the harms of racial discrimination and the school-to-prison pipeline, especially those that impact girls of color, we need local education agencies and state education agencies to vigorously collect and report this data,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.

The comments conclude with a call for the Biden Administration to fully reinstate and strengthen the 2014 Dear Colleague Letter. Drastic action is needed to mitigate the ongoing detrimental impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and the U.S. Department of Education could use several tools at its disposal to deliver long overdue equal educational opportunities to children across the nation. 

“We are proud to stand with these Appleseed Centers as they continually fight to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline in their states and across the country,” said Benet Magnuson, the executive director of the Appleseed Network.

“These comments illustrate some key points for the Biden Administration to consider as the executive branch of the federal government maximizes its effort to end the pushout of so many children in the United States,” he concluded. 

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About Appleseed Network

Appleseed is a network of 16 justice centers across the United States and Mexico working together to reduce poverty, combat discrimination, and advance the rule of law. Appleseed Centers unite research, organizing, policy advocacy, and impact litigation to build systemic solutions for their communities’ most pressing problems.

About Kansas Appleseed

Kansas Appleseed is a statewide advocacy organization dedicated to the belief that Kansans, working together, can build a more thriving, inclusive, and just Kansas.

About Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law & Justice

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues.

About South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center

The South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center fights for low income South Carolinians to overcome social, economic, and legal injustice.

About Texas Appleseed

Texas Appleseed is a public interest justice center that works to change unjust laws and policies that prevent Texans from realizing their full potential. Our nonprofit conducts data-driven research that uncovers inequity in laws and policies and identifies solutions for lasting, concrete change.

Media Contacts:

Sarah Pacilio
Appleseed Network
spacilio@appleseednetwork.org

Angelica Maldonado
Texas Appleseed
amaldonado@texasappleseed.net

Melanie Rush
Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law & Justice
melanie@massappleseed.org

Christina Ostmeyer
Kansas Appleseed
costmeyer@kansasappleseed.org

Brandon Fountain
South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center
bfountain@scjustice.org

 

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Limited English Proficient Families File Discrimination Complaint Against The Massachusetts Department of Children And Families

Boston, MA, July 14, 2021 – Today, Haitian-Americans United, the Greater Boston Latino Network, and Jane Doe, a mother and immigrant with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), filed a civil rights complaint under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act against the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) in response to the agency’s failure to provide federally mandated language access to the LEP families they serve. The complaint, filed by Lawyers for Civil Rights and Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, asks the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to compel DCF to comply with legal mandates to provide language access services to Massachusetts families.

DCF’s failure to provide adequate language access to LEP parents directly results in the wrongful separation of non-English speaking families across the Commonwealth. As a recent report by Appleseed documents in detail, when DCF fails to prioritize language access, LEP parents are unable to comprehend or meaningfully participate in DCF’s processes. As a result, LEP families face an increased likelihood of separation compared to their English-speaking counterparts. In fact, Latinx families are more overrepresented in foster care in Massachusetts than in any other state.

“The level of harm we’re talking about is immeasurable,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. “The wrongful and unjust separation of families leaves children traumatized and denies parents their fundamental rights. DCF must be held accountable and meet the needs of the non-English speaking populations they serve.”

DCF has been on notice of its civil rights violations for years and has had ample opportunity to remedy its discriminatory practices. In 2018, HHS investigated a Title VI complaint made by a Spanish-speaking person who had received inadequate language assistance from DCF. The investigation brought to light DCF’s woefully inadequate use of interpreters for LEP families. Following the investigation, HHS issued a set of voluntary compliance measures intended to bring DCF’s language access practices in line with federal law. But DCF refused to comply voluntarily. In the absence of ongoing monitoring and enforcement, DCF has continued to deprive non-English speaking families of meaningful language access, and consequently access to their children.

“Our foster care system has a long and disturbing history of separating families of color and immigrant families,” said Erin Fowler, attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights. “DCF’s failure to provide adequate language access is discrimination against immigrants and families of color. Federal intervention is critically needed to ensure that families are not wrongfully separated.” 

The complaint calls for immediate federal intervention and oversight to compel DCF comply with its federal obligation to provide meaningful access to LEP individuals. Specifically, the complaint requests that HHS order DCF to adopt and implement a comprehensive remediation plan for meaningful access by LEP individuals. The remediation plan should:

  • require DCF to conduct a language access audit, create a meaningful language access plan, and hire Regional Language Access Coordinators, placing at least one Coordinator within each of DCF’s five regions;
  • set concrete targets for hiring bilingual caseworkers for languages frequently encountered, with a focus on the needs of individual area offices; 
  • require quarterly trainings for all caseworkers and contract interpreters on the importance of language access, tools and techniques for competent interpretation, the importance of confidentiality and impartiality, and DCF terminology and procedures; 
  • require that interpreters be present during all visitations, phone or video conversations, and interactions with LEP individuals;
  • expressly forbid the use of family members, relatives, friends, neighbors, and children as interpreters; 
  • require the translation of all vital documents into the preferred languages of LEP individuals;
  • require all community social service providers DCF contracts with to offer in-person interpretation services, or else allow providers access to DCF’s telephonic interpretation services;
  • require the creation of policies and procedures describing detailed steps for caseworkers to identify alternative social services for LEP families; 
  • require DCF to adopt more flexible protocol to acknowledge the difficulty many LEP families experience when attempting to receive non-English social services; 
  • require the creation of policies and procedures describing detailed steps DCF should take upon receipt of a language access complaint; and
  • require DCF to take any other steps that are necessary to achieve full compliance with federal law. 

“Due to DCF’s failures, we have been forced to try to do DCF’s job for them—by providing community interpreters or translating documents that members have received in English,” says Dieufort Fleurissaint, Chair of the Board of Directors of Haitian-Americans United, the lead complainant in the case. “This drains our limited resources and harms our LEP members. HHS must ensure DCF remedies these wrongs and complies with federal law.” 

Family separation is unfortunately not limited to our southern border—it happens right here in Massachusetts. DCF must provide adequate language access to LEP families and, put simply, stop tearing immigrant families apart.

The complaint is available here. 

About Massachusetts Appleseed

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. The nonprofit researches and identifies the ways in which the justice system, schools, and government agencies have systematically failed impoverished and vulnerable communities, challenges harmful public policies that perpetuate injustices and inequities, advocates for statewide policy solutions, and develops know-your-rights resources for those impacted. (https://massappleseed.org)

 

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Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice Awarded $100,000 Cummings Grant

Boston nonprofit receives 4 years of funding from Cummings Foundation

For Immediate Release

Contact: Deborah Silva, Massachusetts Appleseed, 617-482-8686, deb@massappleseed.org
Contact: Alison Harding, Cummings Foundation, 781-932-7093, aeh@cummings.com

BOSTON, June 1, 2021 – Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. The Boston-based organization was chosen from a total of 590 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $100,000 over four years.

Massachusetts Appleseed is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with community organizations, pro bono attorneys, coalitions, and community members to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. The organization uses policy-driven investigations and powerful advocacy to remove the systemic barriers that prevent Massachusetts’ vulnerable populations from accessing their legal rights, education, and economic stability.

Staff from Massachusetts Appleseed celebrate generous support from Cummings Foundation.

Massachusetts Appleseed staff celebrate Cummings Foundation’s generous support.

“We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary and generous support from Cummings Foundation,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed. “Over the past year, we have seen the needs of our communities rise, systemic inequities worsen, and the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately devastate the most vulnerable among us. This grant will help us meet this historic moment and push for community-informed solutions to ensure Massachusetts families and youth can exercise their legal rights, build pathways out of poverty and crisis, and achieve meaningful access to essential services and opportunities.”

These funds will support and grow Massachusetts Appleseed’s many initiatives to expand access to opportunity and rebalance the scales of the civil justice system to ensure fair and equitable outcomes for all. In particular, this award will support the organization’s work to end language discrimination immigrant families face in state courts and agencies and to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, focusing on the ways girls of color are unjustly targeted and punished in schools. This funding will also support Massachusetts Appleseed’s work to help young people experiencing homelessness overcome legal barriers and build safe, stable futures.

The Cummings $25 Million Grant Program supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties.

Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the area where it owns commercial buildings, all of which are managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate, Cummings Properties. This Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 10 million square feet of debt-free space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.

“We aim to help meet the needs of people in all segments of our local community,” said Cummings Foundation executive director Joel Swets. “It is the incredible organizations we fund, however, that do the actual daily work to empower our neighbors, educate our children, fight for equity, and so much more.”

With the help of about 80 volunteers, the Foundation first identified 140 organizations to receive grants of at least $100,000 each. Among the winners were first-time recipients as well as nonprofits that had previously received Cummings Foundation grants.

“We have adopted a democratic approach to philanthropy, which empowers an impressive roster of dedicated volunteers to decide more than half of all our grant winners each year,” said Swets. “We benefit from their diverse backgrounds and perspectives; they benefit from a meaningful and fulfilling experience; and the nonprofits often benefit from increased exposure and new advocates.”

This year’s grant recipients represent a wide variety of causes, including social justice, homelessness prevention, affordable housing, education, violence prevention, and food insecurity. The nonprofits are spread across 43 different cities and towns.

The complete list of 140 grant winners, plus more than 800 previous recipients, is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.

Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $300 million to greater Boston nonprofits.

About Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. The nonprofit researches and identifies the ways in which the justice system, schools, and government agencies have systematically failed impoverished and vulnerable communities, challenges harmful public policies that perpetuate injustices and inequities, advocates for long-term solutions, and develops know-your-rights resources for those impacted. (https://massappleseed.org)

About Cummings Foundation

Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings and has grown to be one of the three largest private foundations in New England. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn, and Veterinary School at Tufts, LLC in North Grafton. Additional information is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.

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Alison V. Douglass, Laura E. Martin, and Peter P. Tobani Join Massachusetts Appleseed’s Board of Directors

For Immediate Release

BOSTON, MA, May 20, 2021 – Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice welcomed Alison V. Douglass, Partner at Goodwin Procter LLP, Laura E. Martin, Litigation Associate at Mintz, and Peter P. Tobani, Senior Counsel of Global Retail Markets at Liberty Mutual Insurance, to its Board of Directors on March 25, 2021. Massachusetts Appleseed, a nonprofit organization that advocates for systemic reform in areas such as access to justice, education, and youth homelessness, is pleased to have these three stellar members of the legal community join the Board.

Alison V. Douglass, Goodwin Procter LLP

Alison V. Douglass, Goodwin Procter LLP

Alison Douglass works as a partner in Goodwin’s Complex Business Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Financial Industry Litigation, and ERISA Litigation practices, primarily focusing on commercial litigation in the areas of ERISA, mutual fund, and securities litigation. She brings to the Board extensive pro bono experience from her work as a volunteer with the New England Innocence Project representing incarcerated individuals and serving as a Committee for Public Counsel Services Bar Advocate representing indigent criminal defendants.

“I am thrilled for this opportunity to join the Board of Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice,” said Alison Douglass. “Equal rights and access to justice are causes dear to my heart, and Appleseed is at the forefront of the fight to close critical gaps in services and opportunities available in our community. I look forward to contributing to the Center’s important mission.”

Laura E. Martin, Mintz

Laura E. Martin, Mintz

As a Litigation Associate at Mintz, Laura Martin’s practice encompasses labor and employment litigation, government investigations and enforcement proceedings, internal investigations, and white collar criminal defense for clients in a variety of industries. Ms. Martin’s dedication to expanding access to justice began early in her career when she served as a Student Public Defender with the Committee for Public Counsel Services of the Plymouth County Trial Office and a Law Student Intern for Greater Boston Legal Services’ CORI & Re-Entry Project.

“I am honored and excited to join the Massachusetts Appleseed Board of Directors,” said Laura Martin. “The organization’s broad mission and dedicated staff are the foundation to create much needed changes within our community. I look forward to supporting Massachusetts Appleseed as it strives to improve access to justice for all.”

Peter P. Tobani, Liberty Mutual Insurance

Peter P. Tobani, Liberty Mutual Insurance

Peter Tobani works as corporate counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance’s Global Retail Markets Strategic Business Unit where, among other things, he provides legal and regulatory guidance to their small commercial underwriting department and Strategic Partnerships Group. Mr. Tobani first came to Massachusetts Appleseed as a volunteer when he joined dozens of fellow attorneys from Liberty Mutual to help create the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, a know-your-rights resource aimed at helping youth experiencing homelessness understand and exercise their legal rights.

“I am honored and excited to join Massachusetts Appleseed and contribute to their very important mission of addressing systemic injustices throughout the Commonwealth,” Peter Tobani said.

“Alison, Laura, and Peter all bring a wide range of skills and experiences to the Board, but what they share is their absolute commitment to building a future guided by justice and equity,” said Melanie Todman, Chair of the Board. “We are thrilled to welcome them during one of the most difficult and extraordinary times our organization has seen, as our advocacy to meet the rapidly growing needs of our communities continues to gain momentum. To have such exceptional attorneys join us in this work, at this moment, is a true gift.”

About the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice:

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. We research the ways in which the justice system, schools, and government agencies are systematically failing our most vulnerable residents. We collaborate with community partners to ensure that recommended plans of action are practical and comprehensive. We advocate for the implementation of solutions that will create lasting change.

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New Know-Your-Rights Resource Helps Massachusetts Youth Experiencing Homelessness Access and Exercise Their Legal Rights

Pro bono lawyers from Baker McKenzie, Boston Scientific and Liberty Mutual, and Staff of Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, co-author handbook

For more information, please contact:
Leah Schloss
Associate Director, NA Communications
leah.schloss@bakermckenzie.com
+1 212-626-4474

Boston, MA, February 23, 2021 – Global law firm Baker McKenzie, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Boston Scientific, and Liberty Mutual are pleased to announce the publication of the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, an online resource designed to empower young people to understand their legal rights and take action to build safe, stable futures with Massachusetts-specific information.

More than 3,780 unaccompanied youth were identified as living on their own and without consistent access to shelter in Massachusetts in 2018. In Massachusetts schools, more than 23,500 students are estimated to be experiencing some form of homelessness, and their struggles have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Handbook is an online resource written in plain-language and in a youth-friendly question-and-answer format to ensure young people can use it themselves. The resource will be shared with schools, libraries, public agencies, social advocates, and others throughout Massachusetts, and Massachusetts Appleseed will be organizing trainings around its use.

“Youth experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts face extraordinary challenges related to their path to self-sufficiency and stability, and that has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed. “Our aim is to empower these young people to navigate through their struggle against homelessness, and equip them with the knowledge and tools they need to move beyond their current realities and find safety and support.”

More than 60 volunteer attorneys and staff committed hundreds of hours to researching, writing, and editing the handbook, which covers a range of topics including education, domestic and dating violence, healthcare, and more. Volunteer attorneys were guided by community-based experts, who provided essential insights throughout the process.

“We are so pleased to contribute to this worthy effort in providing support to homeless youth and their advocates,” said James Kelleher, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Liberty Mutual. “With this easily accessible handbook, we can help lift young people out of homelessness and change their trajectory toward independence and stability.”

“We know that supporting underserved youth isn’t just the right thing to do for today—it’s also fueling a diverse talent pipeline of problem-solvers for the future,” said Desiree Ralls-Morrison, senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Massachusetts-based medical technology leader Boston Scientific. “We are hopeful that the new Handbook will help homeless young people to find security and build a better future.”

Participating youth from the organizations My Life My Choice (an organization that works to end commercial sexual exploitation of children) and Bridge Over Troubled Waters (a Boston-based agency providing services for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth) reviewed specific handbook chapters to ensure the content includes information most pertinent to their needs and effectively simplifies legal terminology.

Baker McKenzie has partnered with other organizations to produce handbooks in 8 different states, as well as Washington D.C. Learn more here.

“The Homeless Youth Handbook project is an excellent example of how collaboration among in-house counsel, non-profits and law firms can exponentially increase assistance to those in need, particularly the most vulnerable among us during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Colin Murray, North America Chief Executive Officer at Baker McKenzie. “Through partnerships like this, we are able to provide these youth in the US, and their advocates, with clear guidance on young people’s legal rights. Thank you to the talented teams at Liberty Mutual, Boston Scientific and Massachusetts Appleseed for their collaboration with us on this important project.”

About Massachusetts Appleseed

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. The nonprofit researches and identifies the ways in which the justice system, schools, and government agencies have systematically failed impoverished and vulnerable communities, challenges harmful public policies that perpetuate injustices and inequities, advocates for statewide policy solutions, and develops know-your-rights resources for those impacted. (https://massappleseed.org)

About Liberty Mutual

At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow.

In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today we are the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2019 gross written premium. We also rank 77th on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2019 revenue. As of December 31, 2019, we had $43.2 billion in annual consolidated revenue.

We employ more than 45,000 people in 29 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, specialty lines, reinsurance, commercial multiple-peril, workers compensation, commercial automobile, general liability, surety, and commercial property.

About Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie helps clients overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy. We solve complex legal problems across borders and practice areas. Our unique culture, developed over 70 years, enables our 13,000 people to understand local markets and navigate multiple jurisdictions, working together as trusted colleagues and friends to instill confidence in our clients. (www.bakermckenzie.com)

 

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