Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Inc.

CONTACT:

8 Winter Street, Suite 402
Boston, MA 02108-4742
617/482-8686
www.massappleseed.org/

Joan Meschino, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

The Massachusetts Appleseed Center was established in 1994 as the first of 15 centers created by the Appleseed Foundation, and started by the Harvard Law School Class of 1958, to provide high-quality legal assistance to underserved clients. Their mission is to identify underserved populations, such as children and the elderly, and to remove the legal barriers that prevent their access to opportunities and services by providing the resources and expertise to develop long-term solutions. Children’s rights are a primary focus. MA Appleseed has convened a statewide coalition to protect homeless children’s access to education, drafted legislation that assists caretakers of children, challenged the Commonwealth to meet its obligations in providing equal access to education for all children, and facilitates a mentoring project for juveniles. Its powerful networks of prominent Massachusetts law firms make it an effective collaborator. Nonetheless, it works on a shoestring budget, with volunteer law-students, carefully investing its dollars to gain strategically significant results; thus contributions are highly leveraged. Even if you’re not a member of the Class of ’58, you can join them in pursuing “justice for all.”

(2005: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)