Community organizations from across Massachusetts have signed on to the following statement in support of the Equal Justice Coalition’s FY23 campaign for civil legal aid funding. Click the button below if your organization would like to endorse the campaign.
Statement of Support
We endorse the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation’s FY23 budget request for $41 million in state funding (line item 0321-1600) to provide critical civil legal aid in our communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an immense toll on our low-income neighbors, exacerbating social, health, and financial inequities. Legal aid organizations have been vital partners in our work to respond to these crises.
As an organization dedicated to serving low-income residents and building stronger, healthier communities, we recognize the pivotal role civil legal aid plays in helping low-income residents across the Commonwealth maintain safe, stable, and healthy lives. Access to justice must remain a priority as we help our communities recover. The free legal advice and representation provided by civil legal aid programs to individuals and families facing legal issues arising from poverty – including homelessness, domestic violence, lack of access to public benefits, and health inequity – are essential to ensuring that the Commonwealth’s recovery from the pandemic includes those who have been most severely harmed.
Below is a list of the organizations that have endorsed the FY23 campaign.
Advocates
Allston Brighton Health Collaborative
Berkshire Regional Housing
Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled, Inc. (CORD)
Casa Myrna Vazquez, Inc.
Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association
Codman Square NDC
Community Action Agency of Somerville, Inc.
Daniel’s Table
DOVE (DOmestic Violence Ended), Inc.
East Boston Social Centers
Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center
Family & Children’s Service
Family Promise Metrowest
Health Care For All
HESSCO
International Institute of New England
Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Boston
Lawrence CommunityWorks
Lawyers for Civil Rights
LivableStreets Alliance
Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development
Lynn Museum/LynnArts
Massachusetts Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
Massachusetts Association of CDCs
Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers (MACHW)
Massachusetts Jobs with Justice
MA Senior Action Council
Metrowest Worker Center – Casa
My Brother’s Table
Natick Service Council
Northeast Arc
The Neighborhood Developers Inc.
Northampton Survival Center, Inc.
Poor People’s United Fund
Riverside Community Care
Rosie’s Place
Safe Passage, Inc.
Springfield No One Leaves
Urban Edge
WATCH CDC
Y2Y Network
News
Talk to the Hill draws more than 1,000 people to support $49M for civil legal aid in FY24January 27, 2023 - 1:36 pm
Hundreds of lawyers, advocates to join virtual “Talk to the Hill” event asking Massachusetts state legislators for increased civil legal aid fundingJanuary 24, 2023 - 3:27 pm
63 General Counsels from Massachusetts-based corporations sign letter supporting $49 million in FY24 state funding for civil legal aidJanuary 12, 2023 - 3:20 pm