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Ranjini Govender Dowley Appointed President & Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 25, 2025

Ranjini Govender Dowley

Boston, MA- Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, a statewide social justice research and advocacy nonprofit welcomed Ranjini Govender Dowley, J.D., Ph.D. as the organization’s new President and Executive Director on June 9, 2025. Govender joins MA Appleseed at a pivotal moment, when the integrity of the American legal system faces unprecedented challenges. Her appointment marks a new chapter in the organization’s mission to dismantle barriers that perpetuate inequities and ensure all youth, adults, and families across Massachusetts have equal access to opportunity.  

Govender received her law degree from Syracuse University and doctorate in social policy from Cornell University and brings over two decades of leadership in social justice mission nonprofit management, government affairs, policy, and development. She holds a license to practice law in the District of Columbia. Govender said, “For over 30 years Appleseed has remained committed to pursuing systemic solutions to social justice issues such as youth homelessness, access to a fair court system, and educational equity. As someone who is one generation from poverty and the daughter of African immigrants, I became a lawyer to leverage the legal system as a tool for justice. I am honored to join the talented and dedicated staff, Board, pro-bono volunteers, and our partners in all 14 counties across Massachusetts as we work collectively to amplify our impact in these areas and beyond.”  

John Shutkin, MA Appleseed’s Board Chair, expressed the board’s full support and enthusiasm, “Given Ranjini’s background and dedication to social justice, we are confident she has the skills, experience, and determination needed to move Appleseed’s priorities forward. In fact, we are more than confident, we’re thrilled to welcome Ranjini aboard.”  

Massachusetts Appleseed’s three key programs include co-leading the Mass Speaks Coalition to ensure language access to government services, coordinating multiple initiatives that play a critical role in helping youth move from homelessness toward physical, emotional, and financial stability and well-being, and interrupting the school to prison pipeline through the Educational Justice Initiative.  

As a former Massachusetts public school teacher and a long-time advocate for children and education policy through her leadership roles in organizations including RCS Learning Center and Next Level Social Impact, Ranjini saw in real time how the school to prison pipeline operates, causing serious harm to students, especially students of color and students with disabilities. “Massachusetts Appleseed’s track record of impact proves that we can level the playing fields, disrupt systems that perpetuate inequities, and ultimately reimagine what justice looks like,” Ranjini added.   

The Board also extends its sincere gratitude to Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, a member of Interim Executive Solutions Network, who provided invaluable service as Interim Executive Director for the past five months and helped advance the organization’s mission during this transition.

 

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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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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.   

 

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2024 Impact Report

The fight for lasting systemic change is a marathon, not a sprint, and building in opportunities to celebrate our shared successes is an essential part of the work. As the year winds down, we invite you to join us in taking this moment to pause, breathe, and reflect on everything we’ve accomplished together by exploring our 2024 Impact Report!

Thanks to you and our entire community of support, we’ve achieved significant milestones on the journey towards justice – scaling our Legal Education, Advocacy and Protections Project for Youth Experiencing Homelessness, embarking on new research to create fair and inclusive courts, pushing for policy that demands better for families, and so much more.

Plenty of challenges await us in 2025. But looking back on how far we’ve come, we’re hopeful and energized for the months ahead.

Read our 2024 Impact Report

At MA Appleseed, we believe in the power of community. Whether you joined us at events, participated in our research projects, volunteered your time and expertise, spoke out in support of critical legislation, or sustained our initiatives with your donations, you made 2024 another year of growth and momentum. Read more about everything you’ve helped make possible in this year’s Impact Report!

From the whole MA Appleseed team, thank you for your partnership and support. With your help, we’re moving the dial on urgent social justice issues in Massachusetts.

Wishing you peace, rest, and rejuvenation during these final days of the year!

 

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A Message from Executive Director Deborah Silva

This is a bittersweet moment as I transition out of my role as Executive Director at MA Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. While keenly aware of the work that still lies ahead, I am so proud of all we have accomplished together and grateful for the trust and support given to me over this eight-year journey. It has been an immense privilege to lead MA Appleseed, and I want to extend a resounding, unending thank you to the funders, community members, volunteers, donors, coalition allies, and other partners who have fueled and championed our work. You are the reason MA Appleseed is what it is today: A lean, highly efficient force for change delivering an outsized impact and punching well above its weight. This community of support is like no other, and I am confident that the organization will continue to achieve major wins on behalf of our most vulnerable communities and bring us closer to a just, inclusive Massachusetts.

To the friends I’ve gained along the way, the mentors who have supported my personal growth, the Board members and staff with whom I’ve gotten to collaborate – I can never express the full depth of my appreciation. As I take on the role of Director of the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission, I am excited to carry on the work that is so close to my heart and ensure equal justice for everyone in the Commonwealth.

MA Appleseed’s brilliant staff and Board of Directors will continue to steward the organization’s success with fidelity and tenacity, and I am working closely with everyone to ensure a smooth transition. I have no doubt that the next Executive Director will take our small but mighty justice center to even greater heights.

In the meantime, I am pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has appointed Madeline Poage, MA Appleseed’s Director of Development and Communications, to the role of Acting Executive Director during this transitional period. A core member of the Appleseed team since 2017, Madeline is a collaborative leader and passionate about the power of community-led advocacy. Should you have any questions or want to get in touch, please don’t hesitate to contact Madeline at madeline@massappleseed.org.

Thank you for a wonderful and transformative eight years. I look forward to cheering on and supporting MA Appleseed as the organization fulfills its essential mission, and cannot wait to see all that is still to come.

In solidarity and gratitude, 

Deb

 

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An Announcement from MA Appleseed’s Board of Directors

It is with a mixture of profound gratitude and sadness that we announce Deborah Silva’s upcoming departure as Executive Director of MA Appleseed Center for Law and Justice on December 6, 2024. We will miss her unparalleled commitment to the pursuit of justice for all, but are proud of the legacy she leaves behind and the groundwork she has laid for the organization’s continued success.

It is impossible to list all of Deb’s accomplishments during her time at the helm of MA Appleseed, but we want to recognize several that epitomize her tenure. Building a new Access to Justice program from the ground up, resulting in sweeping policy changes that have made Massachusetts courts fairer for all. Successfully navigating the organization through a global pandemic. Deepening the organization’s community engagement strategies to fully center and amplify the voices of those we serve. Scaling the organization’s youth homelessness initiative to match the magnitude of the current housing crisis. Developing organizational values and an internal culture that explicitly positions racial and economic justice as the very heart of our work.

We could go on and on. We are so enormously grateful for Deb’s years of passionate service, her steadfastness in the face of once-in-a-generation challenges, and her remarkable vision that has shaped our path forward. At MA Appleseed, we often say: “In advocacy, we do nothing alone.” The fight for systemic change is a collective one that truly takes us all. But having individuals like Deb in that fight certainly makes the journey more joyful. 

Thanks to Deb’s extraordinary leadership over these past eight years, MA Appleseed is fully prepared to continue addressing the critical social justice issues affecting our communities across the state. Working hand in hand with our partners, our talented staff and dedicated Board of Directors will keep furthering our projects, advancing powerful research and policy change to make Massachusetts a place where everyone can exercise their legal rights, care for their families, and thrive. We are hopeful and excited for this next chapter in MA Appleseed’s 30-year history.

We will be launching a search for our new Executive Director in the coming weeks and look forward to keeping you updated throughout this process. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out with any questions at inquiry@massappleseed.org.

Sincerely,

Melanie L. Todman, Board Chair

John A. Shutkin, Vice Chair

 

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STATEMENT: MA Appleseed Condemns U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Historic Homelessness Case

Boston, MA — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court made its decision in the historic Johnson v. Grants Pass case, allowing cities to punish people with no choice but to sleep outside for using things like pillows, blankets, or cardboard boxes to protect themselves from the elements and dealing a devastating blow to the civil rights of our unhoused neighbors. 

Deborah Silva, Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, issued the following statement:

“The Court’s decision is an affront to the unhoused residents of Grants Pass who bravely stood up for their rights, the hundreds of thousands of individuals forced by circumstance and systemic inequities to sleep outside each night, and the frontline workers and advocates striving to support them. The youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in our communities are exceptionally vulnerable to this ruling’s consequences, already facing unique barriers to obtaining shelter and a scarcity of age-appropriate services. Data collected via the Massachusetts Youth Count shows that this is even more acute for teenagers who leave home before age 18. The last thing these young people need is a criminal record for simply existing in public. 

The goal of criminalization has always been clear: To banish our unhoused neighbors from sight. To make them disappear. To render them invisible. As an organization working to support youth experiencing homelessness, a population that is chronically under-identified due to stigma and shame, we know that pushing people further to the margins only deepens the problem.

This ruling will not solve the surge in homelessness among adults or youth we are seeing in Massachusetts and around the country. It will not prevent unjust evictions. It will not generate housing that people can afford. What it will do is make this crisis worse by funneling people already out of options into the courts, trapping them in cycles of incarceration, exorbitant fines, and trauma.

We stand with our fellow advocates in condemning today’s ruling. The fight to ensure everyone has a safe and stable place to call home continues.”

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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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Joint Rule 10 Day Progress Report: Where Did Our Legislative Priorities Land?

Earlier this month marked Joint Rule 10 Day, the deadline for legislative committees to take action on bills and a pivotal moment as we learn which of our legislative priorities have a chance to get passed this session. Four outcomes are possible for each bill:

  • Reported out favorably: The bill advances in the legislative process.
  • Sent to study: The bill is tabled and will not move forward this legislative session.
  • Reported out unfavorably: The bill receives a negative vote and will not move forward this legislative session.
  • Deadline extension: The committee gives itself more time to consider the bill and will make a decision later in the session, ultimately landing on one of the three previous outcomes.

Join us as we dive into the results of Joint Rule 10 Day, exploring where some of our priority bills have landed and unpacking what this means for our advocacy over the next few months.

The Good News

The Access to Counsel Bill was reported out favorably, a major milestone in the fight to ensure low-income residents facing eviction have access to legal resources and assistance! With Governor Healey including a line item to fund Access to Counsel in her proposed FY25 budget, this is an opportunity to push for the line item to be passed alongside the more comprehensive bill.

The Education Committee gave a favorable report to the Young Student Exclusion Ban Act, signaling continued support for this bill to address long-standing inequities and opportunity gaps in education. The early years of school are an essential time when children build their educational foundation and reading skills. Alongside our Chapter 222 School Discipline Coalition partners, we’ve been leading the charge on this initiative to keep Massachusetts’ youngest children in class where they are safe, supported, and available to learn.

The Education Committee also favorably reported out the School Interpreter Bill. Demonstrating the important intersection between language access and educational justice, this legislation would ensure families are provided with competent interpretation at school so limited English proficient parents can fully participate in and make informed decisions about their child’s education.

The Everyone Needs ID Bill received a favorable report from the Joint Committee on Transportation, bringing us another step closer to removing barriers that prevent youth experiencing homelessness from obtaining state ID! With state ID necessary to accomplish a host of everyday tasks and access services, this bill can help break the cycle of poverty and upheaval that too many young people find themselves trapped in.

And in exciting news, two of our first-time bills also received favorable reports!

  • The passage of the CROWN Act back in 2022 banned race-based hair discrimination, helping prevent the criminalization of students of color. A bill we worked with Rep. Fluker Oakley and Sen. Gomez to file, which would ban suspension or expulsion for violations of rules relating to dress and grooming, received a favorable report. This legislation would build on the progress made by the CROWN Act, further disrupting the over-policing that Black and brown girls endure in school and ensuring Massachusetts classrooms are welcoming and inclusive spaces where all students can succeed.
  • Underage youth may be experiencing homelessness alone and unable to seek their parents’ consent on matters for a number of reasons, such as abuse or family conflict over sexual orientation and gender identity. H.192/S.94, filed by Rep. Khan and Sen. Gomez, recognizes this reality and would ensure those between the ages of 15 and 18 years old can provide consent for themselves to access supportive services and meet their immediate survival needs. 

The Delayed News

The following bills received deadline extensions, giving committees more time to consider them before they make their final decisions. It also gives us and our fellow advocates a chance to build more support, answer legislators’ questions, and convince lawmakers to report them favorably.  

Our 2022 report, “I Just Want to Learn,” highlighted how a lack of diversity among teaching staff can contribute to students of color feeling disconnected, uncomfortable, and fearful of judgement at school. H.549/S.311 would help increase racial and ethnic diversity among school staff, which research shows can lead to direct improvements in educational outcomes for Black and brown students. The deadline has been extended to Friday, March 15.

Good policy starts with good data, and H.454/S.249 would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to publish student-specific education data in a way that can be easily cross-tabulated. Critically, this would enable educators, advocates, parents, students, organizers, and policymakers to better identify disparities and inequitable treatment. The deadline has been extended to Friday, March 15.

The foster care-to-homelessness pipeline is well-established – as much as half of Massachusetts’ youth homelessness population is the result of young people emerging from the child welfare system without support. H.157/S.65 would help disrupt this phenomenon by prohibiting the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families from taking foster children’s Social Security benefits for the state’s General Fund, thereby providing youth with greater financial independence as they age out of the system. The deadline has been extended to Thursday, May 2.

The Bad News

Now for the disappointments. The following bills were “sent to study” – essentially ensuring no further action on them this session, but leaving the door open to refile them in future years.

An Act to Create Access to Justice aimed to fill a gap in existing civil rights law by recognizing that when policies have a discriminatory impact – intended or not – Massachusetts residents must be able to take legal action to enforce their rights. The potential impact of this bill is broad and would affect environmental injustices, lack of language access services, the school-to-prison pipeline, lack of sufficient special education services, inadequate prison conditions for certain populations, and more.

An Act Relative to the Location of School Resource Officers recognized the research showing that police presence has no positive effect on school safety and would have required school resource officers be stationed off school grounds. Read more about this issue on our blog.

What Now?

We know when we lay out an ambitious legislative agenda that not everything is going to make it across the finish line. Grappling with that disappointment is a big part of this work, especially when we’re fighting for commonsense policy changes that address serious needs in our communities.

For bills sent to study – we regroup with our coalition partners. Do we want to refile the bill? Make any changes? Do our legislative sponsors have any feedback from the State House side? We map out what we can do in the meantime, whether that’s conducting deeper policy research or mobilizing in more communities, so we’re ready to hit the ground running next session.

As for the bills that did make it through: We keep going! Getting past Joint Rule 10 Day is a moment to celebrate but until the legislation is on Governor Healey’s desk, ready to be signed, our work is not done. Join MA Appleseed’s mailing list and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram to stay updated on opportunities to take action in the coming months!

 

 

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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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