2013 SCCLS Annual Report - South Coastal Counties Legal
Transcription
2013 SCCLS Annual Report - South Coastal Counties Legal
2013 January - December Annual Report Marking Our 49 th Year of Service & Partnerships www. sccls .org South Coastal Counties Legal Services with its subsidiary, the Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts (Justice Center), is the principal provider of free, non-criminal civil legal assistance to poor and low-income people living in Southeast Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands. SCCLS ensures vulnerable people get the legal services they require to access the judicial system and overcome legal barriers to personal safety, financial security, educational attainment, individual rights, and adequate food and shelter. SCCLS’ subsidiary, the Justice Center, also provides legal assistance in immigration matters. Learn more about SCCLS at our website: w w w . s ccls. o rg Vulnerable people in 5 counties rely on SCCLS. Your support ensures them justice. OFFICE LOCATIONS & CONTACT INFORMATION Bristol County: 22 Bedford St., 1st fl., Fall River, MA 02722 Cape & Islands: 460 West Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601 Plymouth County: Justice Center, 231 Main St., Suite 201, Brockton, MA 02301 Administrative Mailing Address: PO Box 2507, Fall River, MA 02722-2507 Legal Intake Call Center: (800) 244-9023 Open for calls: Mon. - Thur. 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. South Coastal Counties Legal Services 1 Message from the B oa r d Co-Chair s Dear Friends, Colleagues & Supporters of Justice, On behalf of the SCCLS Board of Directors and the Justice Center’s Board of Managers, we are pleased to report that 2013 was a successful year of rebuilding and stabilization for SCCLS. This past year, SCCLS and the Justice Center helped nearly 4,000 clients. SCCLS closed out 2013 in its strongest fiscal position in four years. This was due to strategic reorganizing over the past three years and the financial contributions from donors like you. Thank you! Too often SCCLS’s free civil legal aid is the only thing that keeps a family in their home, allows an elder to fight financial exploitation, or secures safety for a victim of domestic violence and her children. SCCLS helps people in the most heart wrenching of circumstances when no other social service agency can. SCCLS empowers poor people with the legal representation they need to fully access the judicial system and maintain their rights. This year’s annual report illustrates the importance of civil legal aid in the lives of poor people. We each have a role to play in building a civil society that strives to ensure justice and fairness to all its members, not based on a person’s wealth but based on their standing as equals under the law. We ask that you join us in this effort by donating to SCCLS and/or volunteering your time in the coming years. Most Sincerely, Arthur L. Pressman, Esq. Board Co-Chair Nixon Peabody LLP Matthew J. Bresette, Esq. Board Co-Chair Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP “We faced eviction and homelessness. SCCLS saved my family’s tenancy and ensured that my children and I would not have to live in a shelter. Thank you!” Mandy, pictured at left, with her three children & SCCLS AmeriCorps Member, Attorney Marie Clougher. 2 ~ Mandy, mom & housing client 2013 Annual Report “There can be no equal justice where the kind of trial a man gets depends on the amount of money he has.” - Hugo L. Black, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Executive Director’s Update Dear Friends and Supporters, South Coastal Counties Legal Services is fortunate to have the exceptional skills and dedication of our staff members, board of directors, volunteers, partner agencies, and the generosity of friends and donors like you. As SCCLS nears its 50th anniversary, I am honored to be part of such a wonderful community of people dedicated to making our American pledge to provide “Justice for All” a reality. Each year vulnerable children, victims of domestic violence, frail elders, homeless families, people with disabilities, and veterans returning from combat ask SCCLS for the legal assistance they need to access life’s most basic necessities: stable housing, freedom from violence, health care, and the opportunity to provide for their families. By offering our neighbors quality civil legal assistance, SCCLS not only ensures the most vulnerable among us have every protection allowed by law, but also makes our communities in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod & Islands safer, healthier, and more just. Please enjoy looking back on a year in which, together, we were able to accomplish so much on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our community. Thank you for your past and continued investment in SCCLS. We could not have achieved the many successes outlined in this year’s annual report without you. A M Best Regards, Susan Nagl, Esq. [email protected] “ It was the fear that my husband would end my life and what would become of my two-toddlers that made me contact legal aid. SCCLS helped me through the court process to gain independence & safety. My daughters are now 12 & 14 years-old and they are doing great in school and socially. I am grateful to SCCLS for being there when we needed them most! ” ~ Anonymous, Family Law client & Survivor of domestic violence South Coastal Counties Legal Services 3 * SCCLS Board of Directors Matthew J. Bresette, Esq., Co-Chairperson Arthur L. Pressman, Esq., Co-Chairperson Cynthia L. Hanley, Esq., Treasurer Bettina M. Holton, Esq., Secretary Joel J. Brickman, Esq. Sarah H. Manning, Esq. Rev. Edward V. Downie Donaria Miranda Holly S. Dyar, Esq. Herland Walker-Pierre, Esq Amanda Glinsky, Esq. Michael Ready, Esq. Tara Iula Euclides Semedo Susan Mandra Thompson, Esq. Leonard Spinner Thank You to Our 2013 Board of Directors, Board of Managers, Friends Committee & Staff! SCCLS Board Members Justice Center Board of Managers Bettina M. Holton, Esq., President Arthur L. Pressman, Esq., Secretary Leonard Spinner, Treasurer Carolina Africano, Esq. Staff Members SCCLS & Justice Center Susan Nagl, Esq., Executive Director* Brian O’Connor, Esq., Program Manager Juliane Clark, Esq., Managing Attorney Raymond Yox, Esq., Managing Attorney* Staff Attorneys & Legal Advocates Raquel Antonio, Paralegal Dianne Lawlor, Esq. Ana Barboza, Paralegal Patricia Lobaton* Rasheda Dickerson Susan Love, Esq. Rosa Farizo, Paralegal* Tina Leahy, Paralegal Laura Flynn, Esq. Doug McCormac, Esq.* Anielka Sanchez Godinez, Esq Rick McIntosh, Esq.* Mary Beth Goodfellow, Esq.* Michael Moloney, Esq. Suzanne Bean Hicks, Esq. Migdalia Nalls, Esq. Elizabeth Hinkley, Esq. Lolly Pinto* Bennett Jaffee, Esq. Carol Schafer, Esq.* Mariah Jennings-Rampsi, Esq. Simisola Solanke, Paralegal Thomas Kosman, Esq.* Jane Sugerman, Esq. Melissa Kwapong, Esq. Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Esq. Kimberly Yox, Esq. Justice Center of S.E. Mass Brockton Office Fall River Office Administration Michelle DuBois Kathleen Marx Colleen Finan Julie O’Hanley * Jeanne Marcotte* Gisele Pappas Jacqueline Sullivan Hyannis Office AmeriCorps Members Marie Clougher, Esq. Dominica Dela Cruz Jessica DeLoureiro, Esq. Priscila Espinosa Colleen Finan Laura Flynn, Esq. Michael Moloney, Esq. Simisola Solanke Heather Stoloff Sarah Tammelleo, Esq. Alysha Welsh, Esq. Milton Wong, Esq. * Over 20 years of service to legal aid. South Coastal Friends of Legal Services Committee Troy L. Costa, Esq., Chair Veronica Whelan, Esq., Vice-Chair Cecelia Porche, Secretary Sandra Angelini, Event Chair Carolina Africano, Esq. Miriam Babin, Esq, Matthew J. Bresette, Esq. 4 Administration Office Thomas Cleary, Esq. Rev. Edward Downie Justine Dunlap, Esq. Stuart Graham Elizabeth Hill Bettina Holton, Esq. Kate Kilguss, Esq. Sarah Manning, Esq. Susan Nagl, Esq. Roger Stanford, Esq. 2013 Annual Report 2013 LEGAL MATTERS: Services Provided SCCLS and the Justice Center worked on 3,992 legal cases in 2013. Through the services listed below, SCCLS touched the lives of 9,519 local low-income clients and their dependent family members. Housing Law: 1,584 tenants & homeowners were helped to avoid homelessness, prevent eviction or foreclosure, improve unsanitary living conditions, and access affordable housing opportunities. Family Law: 550 individuals & families received legal assistance in family law matters such as divorce, custody, support, paternity, guardianship. SCCLS prioritizes cases that involve domestic violence. Income Maintenance & Benefits Law: 425 elderly, disabled, & poor clients were helped to access essential services such as: food stamps, veterans benefits, Social Security, SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, & Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Immigration Law: 392 immigrants were helped with family reunification, adjustment of status, naturalization, & victims of domestic violence or violent crimes were provided protection. Consumer Law: 294 consumers struggling with extreme debt and financial exploitation received legal help to resolve the threats to their financial well-being. Unemployment Insurance: 247 workers with unfair challenges to unemployment insurance received legal counsel and representation. Individual Rights: 249 vulnerable clients facing threats to individual rights were helped with a variety of issues including: private health care, job discrimination, wage claims, and disability rights. Elder Law: 176 elderly & terminally ill clients were assisted with end-of-life planning through the provision of wills & advance directives. Education Law: 75 children with learning disabilities achieved access to needed educational services, which they were being denied. South Coastal Counties Legal Services 5 Like Dave, Many of Us Are Just One Illness Away from Poverty David worked his entire life. He had been a cab driver for 8 years when his right side went numb during a shift. Later that day, the whole right side of his body was paralyzed for several minutes. Dave recognized that something was wrong and went to the emergency room. After numerous tests, Dave was told that he had suffered ischemic attacks and also was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Dave with SCCLS Attorney Melissa Kwapong Dave continued to work full-time but as his symptoms progressed he was forced to reduce his hours. Over time, problems with Dave’s vision, memory and balance intensified to the point where he no longer felt safe to drive a cab. This loss of income placed a gigantic financial strain on Dave’s ability to survive. His family and friends assisted him as much as they could. However, Dave was only 58 and could not call on family and friends to provide this level of assistance for the rest of his life. Dave’s brother urged him to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI is a federal disability program that provides disability payments to workers with severe mental or physical health conditions that prevent them from working. At first, Dave did not want to apply because he had always been self-sufficient and did not want to rely on governmental assistance. However, as his illness worsened, it became clear to Dave that he had no other choice so he applied. The SSDI application process was confusing, and his application was initially denied. Dave appealed the denial, but the appeal process took several years. During this period, Dave was too sick to work, had exhausted his savings, and became entirely reliant on family and friends. Times were tough for Dave. In March 2014, Dave learned his appeal hearing would be the next month. After waiting 3 years, Dave felt this appeal hearing was his last shot. He called SCCLS for help and his case was accepted and assigned to Attorney Melissa Kwapong. Attorney Kwapong went to work right away collecting hundreds of pages of medical records that Social Security had not considered in rendering the prior denials. She submitted all of the records to Social Security so the judge could make a decision based on all of Dave’s medical treatment and his current medical status. She prepared Dave for the appeal hearing and represented him in court that day. Thanks to SCCLS, Dave received a fully favorable decision. He was awarded retroactive benefits, monthly SSDI financial benefits, and eligibility for MassHealth and Medicare. Dave is now assured that he will be financially stable and, most importantly, will have access to appropriate medical care as he deals with the effects of a chronic, progressive illness. 6 2013 Annual Report PARTNERSHIPS ARE THE KEY TO SUCCESS FOR CLIENTS. SCCLS partners with over 120 agencies, municipalities, and membership groups to help clients. Here is a profile of just three of our partnerships: HomeCorps has allowed SCCLS to hire 3 attorneys who provide representation to homeowners faced with foreclose and tenants living in foreclused properties. To date, HomeCorps attorneys have closed 133 individual cases. Clients have received one-time payments or savings totaling more than $500,000 and have received community benefits totaling $51,216. HomeCorps Partners: AG Martha Coakely’s Office, National Consumer Law Center, Mass Law Reform Institute, multiple community action agencies agencies, five legal service agencies, MLAC. Mass. Legal Assistance for Self-Sufficiency Program (MLASSP) MLASSP is a statewide AmeriCorps program, administered by SCCLS, that places 28 college and law school graduates at 11 civil legal aid agencies throughout the Commonwealth. Since 2005 MLASSP has graduated over 200 members. In the 201213 service year, MLASSP legal advocates served over 47,600 hours and assisted over 1,900 clients in housing, elder, family, consumer, immigration, benefits, and individual rights cases. The estimated value of their service is $1,326,557. Project LISA (Legal Intention for Survivors of Abuse) A 3 year grant from the Dept. of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women funds Project LISA. This project provides holistic civil legal aid to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking from within the safety of domestic violence shelters or other partner sites that specialize in providing survivor focused services. Project LISA Partners: A Safe Place, Family & Community Resources, Independence House, SCCLS; SS Women’s Resource Center; Women’s Center New Bedford; & STARR. Staff Member Profile: Doug McCormac Having served the nation admirably in Vietnam, Doug McCormac came home with a new understanding of poverty and a desire to help. After working as a Union Organizer, he went to law school and has been working at SCCLS ever since. We applaud Attorney McCormac for his 26 years of dedication to legal aid. When asked why he chose a career with SCCLS, Attorney McCormac replied, “I enjoy working on behalf of poor people. It is honorable work.” South Coastal Counties Legal Services 7 P) at s Thank You 2013 Community Par tners & Outreach Sites: A New Day A Safe Place Acushnet Council on Aging AmeriCorps Council of Churches Attleboro Council on Aging BAMSI Barnstable County Bar Association Barnstable Health & Human Service Advisory Council Barnstable County Bar Association Boston Bar Association Bourne Council on Aging Brewster Council on Aging Bridgewater Council on Aging Bristol County Bar Ass. Bristol County Elder Services Brockton Adult Learning Center Brockton Council on Aging Brockton Neighborhood Health Center Brockton Public Library Brockton Tenant’s Association Buttonwood Senior Center Cape & Islands Domestic Violence Council Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled Catholic Social Services Central United Methodist Church Chatham Council on Aging Coalition Against Poverty Coastline Elderly Services Committee to End Homelessness on Cape Cod Community Action Committee Economic Development Corporation Dartmouth Council on Aging United States Bankruptcy Court Eastham Council on Aging Easton Council on Aging Edgartown Council on Aging Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands Fairhaven Council on Aging Fairhaven Senior Center Fall River Bar Association Department of Transitional Assistance Probate and Family Court Fall River/New Bedford Housing Partnership Falmouth Council on Aging Family & Community Resources Flint Senior Center Foster Parent Annual Conference Good Samaritan Medical Center Attleboro/Taunton Reg. Transit Authority Greater Fall River Domestic Violence Coalition Greater New Bedford Allies for Health & Wellness Domestic Violence CMT Greater New Bedford Ass. of Realtors Hanover Council on Aging Harwich Council on Aging Hanson Council on Aging Hazelwood Senior Center Housing Assistance Corporation Immigrants Assistance Center Independence House Larson Senior Center Marion Council on Aging Marshfield Council on Aging Mashpee Council on Aging Mass. Bar Association, Access to Justice Council Mass. Continuing Legal Education Mass. Dep. of Transitional Ass. Mass. Family Law Task Force Mass. Legal Assistance Corp. Mass Law Reform Institute Mass. Migrants Education Mass. Service Alliance Mass. Trial Court Mayor’s Coalition Against Homelessness, Fall River Middleboro Council on Aging MLP Boston Morton Hospital Neighborworks New Bedford Bar Association New Bedford Community Center New Bedford Housing & Comm. Dev. New Bedford Public Library Oak Bluffs Council on Aging Old Colony Elder Services Old Colony Planning Council Orleans Council on Aging PACE Plymouth Area Roundtable on Domestic Violence Plymouth Council on Aging Plymouth County Bar Association Plymouth District Bar Association Portuguese Speaking Elder Network Prevent Foreclosures Cape Cod Provincetown Council on Aging Rockland High School Saint Anne’s Hospital Sandwich Council on Aging Second Congregational Church Self Help Inc. Senior Celebration Southeast Housing Court South Shore Community Action Council South Shore Women’s Resource Center SSTAR St. Patrick’s Parish, Brockton Steward Health Care System Stoughton High School Taunton Council on Aging Taunton Emergency Taskforce Taunton State Hospital Tenancy Preservation Program Wareham Council on Aging The Woodlands Truro Council on Aging United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton United Way of Greater Fall River United Way of Greater Plymouth Cnty. U-Mass. Dartmouth U-Mass Dartmouth School of Law Up-Island Council on Aging Vineyard Haven Council on Aging Volunteer Lawyers Project Voz de Emigrante (Portuguese Radio) Wellfleet Council on Aging Women’s Center YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts “Without MassHealth I would not be able to access the services I needed to live in the community with dignity. My daughter helped me apply twice without success. We talked with Coastline Elderly Services and they referred us to SCCLS. Heia (81 years-old) seated, with her daughter 8 SCCLS guided me successfully through the whole process. I now have MassHealth and can live at home and not in a nursing home. We are grateful for SCCLS!” ~ Heia, Elder Law Client 2013 Annual Report SCCLS Helps to Fulfill A Mother’s Dying Wish For Her Young Children. A terminally-ill single mother, “Heather” was in need of around the clock medical care. Due to her illness, Heather and her children moved in with Heather’s mother, “Sylvia.” Inevitably, the grandmother began taking on care giving roles for Heather and the children. Heather’s family was in crisis. This case and “ being able to assist this family is an example of why I wanted to become a lawyer. ~ Amber Cohen, Esq. PAI Volunteer ” Heather worried constantly about what would happen to her children after she passed. The children’s father was not active in their lives and she worried about who would provide for them financially and emotionally. Heather wanted the stability and continuity for her children that could only come from giving guardianship to their grandmother, Sylvia. She expressed this desire to her doctors, but the legal process required them to hire an attorney. That cost was beyond Heather or Sylvia’s financial capacity. Heather’s health workers at Old Colony Hospice contacted SCCLS for help. Through SCCLS’ Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Program, Heather’s case was accepted by two local attorneys who specialize in family law and probate. Attorneys Amber Cohen and Thomas Cleary immediately met with Heather and Sylvia. Shortly thereafter, the attorneys filed a guardianship petition for each child in Probate and Family Court. Less than two months later, and only after several court appearances, Sylvia was appointed as the legal guardian of her grandchildren. Tragically, Heather passed away just a month after the guardianships were enacted. Although Heather’s life ended far too soon, she was grateful for the help she received and was at peace knowing her children would be taken care of and loved by a family member. case illustrates the importance of “ This pro bono work and the role of SCCLS in promoting access to justice by assisting disadvantaged members of our community. It is our pleasure to assist on this case. ~ Thomas Cleary, Esq., PAI Volunteer ” PAI Attorneys Cohen & Cleary South Coastal Counties Legal Services 9 e Thank You to Our Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Volunteers!!! Joan Aanavi, Esq. Melissa Alden, Esq. Anthony P. Alessi, Esq. Irene Bagdoian, Esq. Philomena A. Barboza, Esq. Benjamin Barry, Esq. Nikole Bashforth, Esq. Neville Bedford, Esq. Michelle D. Beneski, Esq. Yvonne Borelli- Chace, Esq. Patricia Bloom-McDonald, Esq. Tammy Fern Bouchard, Esq. Anthony Bowers, Esq. Maja Bozic, Esq. Matthew J. Bresette, Esq. Anthony C. Bucacci, Esq. Lisa S. Carlson, Esq. John C. Cartwright, Esq. Michael A. Castner, Esq. Thomas J. Cleary, Esq. Amber R. Cohen, Esq. Edward C. Conroy, Esq. Michael Conway, Esq. Patrick Cook, Esq. Amanda Cooper, Esq. Troy L. Costa, Esq. David A. Coughlin, Esq. Georgia Curtis, Esq. Kristina Da Fonseca, Esq. Jan E. Dabrowski, Esq. Idelta Dasilva, Esq. Honoria Dasilva- Kilgore, Esq. Paul D. DeCenzo, Esq. Antonio Daniel DeNardis, Esq. Eric P. DiMarzio, Esq. Erin Donovan, Esq. Mary O’Donnell Downey, Esq. Edward M. Duvall, Esq. Holly S. Dyar, Esq. Henry C. Ellis, Esq. Nan Evans, Esq. Paul Farrell, Esq. Laurie Freeman, Esq. Brian Garner, Esq. Eve M. Gates, Esq. Julie Gaudreau, Esq. Anna Gemelli, Esq. Jenessa Gerard-Pateakos, Esq. 10 Amanda A. Gliniski, Esq. Val C. Ribeiro, Esq. Bledar Gora, Esq. Jon Rockwood, Esq. Laurie P. Grant, Esq. Deborah G. Roher, Esq. Jacqueline M. Grasso, Esq. Lawrence J. Rose, Esq. Aaron Greenlee, Esq. Thomas Rugo, Esq. Kristen Greenwood, Esq. Andrew N. Ruff, Esq. John F. Groark, Esq. Ian Padraic Ryan, Esq. Lisa K. Habboub, Esq. John F. Ryan, Esq. Richard Healy, Esq. Andrew Schwartz, Esq. Bettina M. Holton, Esq. Erin Semcken, Esq. Kathleen Horan-McLean, Esq. Lois Z. Silva, Esq. Renee M. Howayeck, Esq. Robert S. Simonian, Esq. Scott C. Hubbell, Esq. Margarita G. Smirnova, Esq. Alexander J. Kalife, Esq. Juliane Soprano, Esq. Michelle Keith, Esq. Thomas H. Souza, Esq. Paul E. Kelleher, Esq. Robert J. Spavento, Esq. Eric Levitt, Esq. Roger Stanford, Esq. Kenneth D. Lipman, Esq. Diane C. Stewart, Esq. Heather J. Lynham, Esq. Mary Jeanne Stone, Esq. Richard W. Mable, Esq. Brittany J. Strojny, Esq. William K. Mackey, Esq. Sharon Sullivan-Puccini, Esq. Michael J. Malloy, Esq. Daniel M. Surprenant, Esq. Jane Mangili, Esq. Moira Tierney, Esq. Jenny Margeson, Esq. George Paul VanDuinwyk, Esq. Robert L. Marzelli, Esq. Robert R. Waldo, Esq. Janis E. Martin, Esq. Jane Warren, Esq. Shawn Masterson, Esq. Ronald J. Weiss, Esq. Thomas Mathieu, Esq. Veronica Whelan, Esq. Stephen McGonigle, Esq. Lynn Whitney, Esq. John McGowan, Esq. Joshua J. Wood, Esq. Chad J. McGuire, Esq. Thomas J. Yelverton, Esq. Brandy L. Medina, Esq. John E. Zajac, Esq. Joseph L. Michaud, Esq. Elisa Zawadzkas, Esq. Stephen K. Midgley, Esq. Julie C. Molloy, Esq. In 2013, Nicholas G. Mosca, Esq. Kathleen Navin, Esq. PAI volunteers Alexander J. Nesson, Esq. spent 3,073 hours Stacie Nye-Buckley, Esq. Wendy A. Pacheco, Esq. providing free legal Michele L. Pearsall Hall, Esq. representation to poor Emily Perini, Esq. Angela Rae Philbrook, Esq. clients.This time equals David G. Prentiss, Esq. $614,000 in legal Kerri A. Quintal, Esq. Bruce S. Raphel, Esq. fees donated. Jason Rawlins, Esq. Thank you! Marie E. Reidy, Esq. 2013 Annual Report Thank You to Our Donors! Through the generosity of our Community Partners, South Coastal Counties Legal Services receives grants, donations from individuals, and event sponsorships that support our programs and enable the agency to intercede at critical times in people’s lives with the free legal representation they require to stabilize their lives. SCCLS recognizes and thanks the following 2013 Community Partners who support our work and mission: FOUNDATION, CORPORATION & GOVERNMENT GRANTS Attorney General Martha Coakley’s HomeCorps Program Azorean Government Charles F. Bacon Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee John W. Boynton Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee Bristol County Elder Services Bristol Cnty Savings Charitable Foundation Coastline Elder Services Corp. for National & Community Service Dept. of Justice, Violence Against Women, Legal Assistance To Victims Grant Elder Services of Cape Cod & Islands Island Foundation Legal Services Corporation Lloyd D. Balfour Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee Mass. Bar Foundation Mass. Legal Assistance Corporation Mass. Service Alliance Old Colony Planning Council Steward Healthcare Systems United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton United Way of Greater Plymouth County City of Brockton CDBG City of New Bedford CDBG HUD Cape Cod Town of Brewster Town of Bourne Town of Carver Town of Chatham Town of Dennis Town of Falmouth Town of Halifax Town of Harwich Town of Marshfield Town of Mashpee Town of Nantucket Town of Orleans Town of Provincetown Town of Sandwich Town of Truro Town of Wellfleet GIFTS FROM INDIVIDUALS, LAW FIRMS, & SPONSORSHIPS Champions for Justice Defenders of Justice (cont.) Friend of Justice (cont.) Elaine M. Epstein, Esq. Susan Nagl, Esq. & Patricia Pap, Esq. Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP Plymouth County Bar Association Heros for Justice Plymouth Distric County Bar Ass. Steward’s Saint Anne’s Hospital United Way of Greater Fall River Veronica Whelan, Esq. & Edward McGlinchey Ret. Judge John Xifaras & Margaret D. Xifaras, Lang, Xifaras & Bullard Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, Social Action Comm. Friend of Justice New Bedford/ Fall River Comm. of the Women’s Bar Ass. PACE Val Ribeiro, Esq. Deborah G. Roher, Esq. Allan G. Rodgers, Esq. Eric Scherzer S. Shore Comm. Action Council Senior Whole Health Sharon Sullivan-Puccini, Esq. Adam Swinson & Michelle DuBois Elmas Toussaint Unitarian Church of Barnstable Alternative Gift Fair Webster Bank W.B. Mason, Leo Meehan Supporter of Justice Donors $199 & below Anonymous (7 donors) Joan Aanavi, Esq. Catherine Aloisi, Esq. Sandra Angelini Raquel & Heath Antonio, Esq. Margaret Atwood Clara A. Audette Peter Berthiaume Donors $2,000 + Donors $900-1,999 Alumni, 70’s Brockton Legal Ser. BayCoast Bank BankFive Dean Mary Lu Bilek, UMass Law Bristol County Bar Association Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank Stephen L. Cowell, Fair Share Dev. Holly Sanborn Dyar, Esq. Bettina Holton, Esq. Kathryn C. Kilguss, Esq. The Nauman Family NixonPeabody, LLP Roger Williams U. School Of Law, Dean David Logan Defenders of Justice Donors $400-999 Donors $200 to 399 Anonymous (3 donors) Miriam Babin, Esq. Matthew J. Bresette, Esq. Margaret P. Casper Dianne & Clement Brown Jason Buffington, Esq. & Juliane Clark, Esq. Christine & Eric Cody Troy L. Costa Esq. Dunning, Kirrane, McNichols & Garner Donors $400-999 Anonymous (2 donors) Mary Ann & Anthony Garro Carolina Africano, Esq. & Craig Dutra Diomaris Garcia Deborah Baker HarborOne Bank Bogle, DeAscentis & Coughlin, PC Luana & Gary P. Johnson Bristol Cnty Estate Planning Council Janne Hellgren, Esq. Joel Brickman, Esq. Kenneth D. Lipman, Esq., Lipman & Lipman Michael Dangelo Francis J.(Jay) Lynch, III, Esq. Justine Dunlap, Esq. Lynch & Lynch Elizabeth Hill Sarah H. Manning, Esq. Stuart Graham, Esq. Susan Mandra Thompson, Esq. Keches Law Group, Seth Elin, Esq. & James Thompson Michelle Ann Keith, Esq. Judy Meredith Kathleen Horan McLean, Esq. Rep. Christopher M. Markey, Esq. Arthur & Deborah Pressman South Coastal Counties Legal Services Donors $200 to 399 Commemorative Gifts Donations were made in honor of: Joel & Jody Brickman Rick McIntosh, Esq. Susan Mandra Thompson Kim & Ray Yox Donations were made in memory of: Virginia Curley James Santino Gaudiano Sr. Bill O’Malley 11 Supporter of Justice (cont.) Donors $199 & below Jamie Berberena John D. Blake, Esq. Thelma & David Bold Christine Bolinder Paulette Bolton Maja Bozic, Esq. Susan F. Brooks, Esq. Eleanore Brown Carol & Frank Buda Virginia & Thomas F. Burke, Esq. Elizabeth Cady William G. Camara, Esq. Frank Carbone Lisa Carlson, Esq. John J. Carroll, Jr., Esq. Sokhom Chhouk Child & Family Services Amber Cohen, Esq. Citizens for Citizens Karen A. Clark Thomas J. Cleary, Esq. Marie Clougher, Esq. Coalition Against Poverty Mary M. Connolly, Esq. Irene & Charles Consentino Thomas P. Crotty, Esq. Rep. Josh Cutler, Esq. Janet & James Dailey Robert Dargis Michael & Nancy Lee Darst, Esq. William C. Decas, Esq. Register Gina DeRossi, Esq. & Darren Goldberg Rev. Edward Downie Dwight G. Duncan, Esq. Jillian G. Ellis, Esq. Elaine & Paul Espinola Benjamin C. Evans, Esq. Nan Evans, Esq. Fall River Municipal Credit Union Paul G. Farrell, Esq. John Farrissey, Esq. Suzanne Fletcher Edith Mancini Fortier Anthony & Mary Ann Garro Eve M. Gates, Esq. Betty Gay Lauren Gentile Perry R. Gilbert Gail & Glen Graham David & Jill E. Grochmal, Esq. Rep. Patricia A. Haddad Carolyn & Paul G. Hamel, Esq. Cynthia L. Hanley, Esq. Stephen & Cynthia Hanna Jennifer P. Heald, Esq. Michael Hillinger, Esq. Nona Holmes Robyn Homaker Steve Horn, D.D.S. Suzanne I. Houghton Tara Iula Lois & Ret. Judge George Jacobs Anne Borhek Chatham Wayside Inn Churchill Linens Ricki Cowell Duxbury Rug Hookers 12 Mary & Bennett Jaffee, Esq. Regina & Richard Jalbert Barbara Jennings-Rampsi Mary & Ret. Judge Malcolm Jones Malcom Jones Robert Jones Rabbi Raphaell Kanter Kevin Keating, Esq. Tena Kerns, Esq. Stephen Kiley, Esq. James P. Killoran, Esq. Thomas P. Killoran, Esq. Melissa Kwapong, Esq. Katherine Lacoste Dianne Lawlor, Esq. Robert Levy, Esq. Maria Lima Debra Lindstrom Miriam London Gerlinde Lowe Julie A. Lynch, Esq. Paul J. Machado, Esq. Carol R. Mallory, Esq. Robert J. Marchand, Esq. John A. Markey, Esq. Mass. Bay Law Associates, P.C. Bonnie Matterand Patrick T. Matthews, Esq. Mary M. McAuliffe, Esq. Adrienne McGrath Mary A. McNulty Qi & Stephen McIntosh Deb & Richard McIntosh, Esq. Theresa McNamara Donna McQuade Inez & Gilbert Mello Joseph L. Michaud, Esq. Linnea Michel, Esq. Donaria Miranda Gino Mucci Regina Mullen Charles Murray, Esq. Robert F. Murray, Esq. New Bedford Women’s Center Lucie A. O’Brien Brian O’Connor, Esq. Detra & David Offutt Patrick O’Grady & Jim Wheeler James Michale O’Sullivan Alla P. Owen Gisele Pappas Veronica Parico, Esq. Margaret Pelletier Andrew Peppard, Esq. & Janet Freedman Ann Ponichtera DeNardis, Esq. & Antonio Daniel Denardis, Esq. Cecelia M. Porche Lonnie Powers, Esq. James P. Powderly, Esq. Gilbert R. Perry Rosa Previdi, Esq. John Quinn, Esq. Stuart W. Rapp, Esq. Michael Ready, Esq. Ret. Judge Joseph J. Reardon Robert C. Remy Rita Resende Michele L. Rioux, Esq. Natalie L. Roberts Donald J. Robertson William P. Rose James B. Ross, Esq. David Rossman, Esq. Ervin “Tootsie” Russell Harold Russell Jenny and Robert Ryan Anthony J. Santoro, Esq. Paul Santos, Esq. Dorothy A. Savarese Irene Scharf, Esq. Eric Scherzer, Esq. Euclides Semedo Schonland & Associates Sharon A. Serra Stella Shlayen, Esq. Barbara Siegel Chuck Smiler Walter Smith Rita Sousa Joseph Souza Adrienne Southgate Leonard Spinner Bill Strerrett Lorraine & Ned Stewart Jane E. Sullivan, Esq. Judith Ellen Quinn Erica Szuplat Andrew Teitz, Esq. Louise Ellen Teitz, Esq. Jennifer Theroux, Esq. Gary Thomas, Esq. Ret. Judge John Tierney Rosemary Tierney Luke Travis, Esq. Bruce Tripp John Twohig, Esq. Mary C. Valentine James T. Van Buren, Esq. Lewis S. Victor, Esq. Marina Vieira Ret. Judge Augustus Wagner Herland Walker Pierre, Esq. Joan Walker Albert Wallis, Esq. Patricia Ward Patricia Ware Leslie M. Ware Ruth Weil, Esq. Joshua Werner, Esq. Lynn Whitney, Esq. Grace & David Wyss Alvin Youman, Esq. Helen Young Karen & William Young Michael P. Young, Esq. Kimberly & Ray Yox Michael J. Zeman, Esq. Judith S. Ziss, Esq. Thank You to Our In-Kind Donors: Pat Farrell Ex-Press Printing Festival Ballet, Providence GAM Theater JoAnn Gouzoules Mi Herzog JT Food Products Dennis Lehane Peter Martin Narrows Center for the Arts Out of Habit Pranzi Catering & Events Portugalia Kevin Roberts Rox Baseball Chuck Talley Matt Taibbi 2013 Annual Report PROFILE of CLIENTS SERVED IN 2013 Client Income: SCCLS has income limitations for clients to ensure clients can not afford to hire a private attorney. Examples from the 2013 Poverty Guideline: # of people in family Annual Household Income Limit 1 2 3 4 5 $11,490 $15,510 $19,530 $23,550 $27,570 67% of clients were at or below Federal Poverty Line 22% of clients were between 100 -125% of the Federal Poverty Line 11% of clients were at 126% of the Federal Poverty Line or above Client Age: Client Gender: 2% 29% 31% 71% 67% 18 to 59 years of age (67%) 60 & over (31%) Under 18 years old (2%) Female (71%) Male (29%) 2013 Clients’ Legal Problem Areas Housing Law (39%) Family Law (14%) Income Maintenance (11%) Immigration (10%) Consumer (7%) Employment (6%) Health (5%) Wills & Directives (4%) Education Advocacy (2%) Individual Rights (2%) Too Often Seniors Live Poverty. Each month Manuel & Idalina make tough choices between paying rent or utility bills and buying medicine or food. Manuel and Idalina came to SCCLS when their electricity and gas were turned off for non-payment. Paralegal Rosa Farizo, Idalina & Manuel Paralegal Rosa Farizo reviewed the couples’ financial position and found that they were paying close to 50% of their income to rent each month, with just $350 remaining for food, medicine, utility bills and all other costs. Ms. Farizo advocated for the couple with the utility companies and got their services restored. She then assisted the couple in applying for subsidized housing (via 3 complicated applications). Once approved, this will reduce the couple’s costs for housing. She also assisted the couple with completing an application for food stamps. Finances are tight for this elderly couple, but with the free help they received from SCCLS, there is light on the horizon. South Coastal Counties Legal Services 13 Financial Statements OPERATING REVENUE & SUPPORT Mass. Legal Assistance Corporation Legal Services Corporation Contract Revenue Grants & Contributions United Ways Cy Pres Award Other Revenue & Special Events TOTAL REVENUE BEFORE DONATED SERVICES Donated/Volunteer Services TOTAL REVENUE OPERATING EXPENSES Salaries Benefits & Taxes AmeriCorps Members Stipends & Benefits Personnel Subtotal Non-Personnel TOTAL EXPENSES BEFORE DONATED SERVICES Donated/Volunteer Services TOTAL EXPENSES CUMULATIVE OPERATING NET ASSETS NON OPERATING REVENUE Debt Forgiveness 2013 2,304,861 827,543 712,286 658,045 27,615 0 57,014 4,587,364 381,426 4,968,790 2012 2,085,643 865,331 630,735 681,549 18,350 50,000 17,333 4,348,941 400,236 4,749,177 2013 1,985,047 632,137 526,388 3,143,572 678,635 3,822,207 381,426 4,203,633 765,157 2012 2,072,737 744,295 546,118 3,363,150 589,096 3,952,246 400,236 4,352,482 396,695 109,145 0 89.5 cents of each dollar donated to SCCLS Supports Programs! % of SCCLS Expenses That Support Progrmas, Administrative or Fundraising DID YOU KNOW? 8.4% administration 89.5% direct service 2.1% fundraising 14 1 Denise, pictured center, with her two sons. 2 3 “The representation SCCLS provided with my son’s education meant everything to us. Because of SCCLS my sons can achieve their goals in life. SCCLS made us feel like billion dollar clients. ” ~ Denise Hart, SCCLS clients & mother of a special education student 2013 Annual Report C E L E BRATION December 4, 2014 6:00 to 9:00 pm Please join us for the 3 rd Annual Equal JusticE cElEbration the Date Save E Together We Can Open The Doors to Justice. 1 st Annual SCCLS E QUAL J USTIC SOUTH COASTAL COUNTIES LEGAL SERVICES, INC. P.O. Box 2507 Fall River, MA 02722 NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID FALL RIVER MA PERMIT NO. 18