Appleseed Network

Appleseed's creative approach to tackling big issues is effective! The organization does it's homework and devises strategies that work. It isn't afraid to dive into the details of bigger issues to see where small, technical changes can result in big differences for real people. Appleseed is collaborative and leverages its network, including pro bono attorneys and economists, in ways that make the organization efficient and effective. Overall, a great organization with strong, smart leadership.

I have been involved in directing legal aid programs for the poor for the past 45 years. In 2002, we created the Lawyers for Equal Justice to address the systemic problems encountered by the low income in our state of Hawaii. Our primary focus was on conducting class action litigation that focused on the improving the conditions of public housing, ensure homeless children could continue to attend their home schools after eviction, reversing our state's significant reduction of health care for Micronesians. Although successful in all of our litigation, attorneys fees recovered did not provide sufficient resources to continue our programs.

We reached out to the Appleseed network in 2011 and were accepted into the fold. Since that welcoming as the Appleseed's newest center we have flourished by re-branding our organization as the Hawaii Appleseed center on Law and Economic Justice and have dramatically expanded our work to include non litigation advocacy on issues involving creating affordable rental housing models, increasing food security for SNAP recipients and school children and engaging in tax advocacy to improve equities in our state's tax system ( Hawaii taxes its poor more than all but 3 other states in the nation. These initiatives have opened up the door to significantly increasing individual and law firm donations as well as local foundations who would not support litigation initiatives.

Although I have been practicing in the legal services arena for many years, I have never had the privilege of working with a group of extremely talented, creative and passionate advocates. We are blessed to have a network of centers and central office that engages in cutting edge advocacy, works so closely together on the implementation of common projects and so willing to share their expertise and guidance on issues they have successfully addressed locally. Hawaii Appleseed would not be in existence today without membership in the Appleseed network. It has broken down our isolation, gave us a chance to put a new face forward in our community as we searched for donors while providing us with colleagues across the nation that are simply exceptional.

I have had the privilege of working with Appleseed's President, Betsy Cavendish, and being a donor to Appleseed. Betsy is just amazing, having a uniquely wonderful combination of brilliant mind and huge heart, combined with modesty and clear, strategic thinking. She is a treasure, and is leading Appleseed courageously and with passion to continue its unique work of addressing systemic issues that impoverish too many of our fellow citizens economically, socially and spiritually. Smart, effective legal advocacy is Appleseed's contribution, and it is an important one to support.

I have had the privilege of working with Appleseed both as a pro bono volunteer, a Board Member, and a donor. In the world of legal non-profits working to build a more just society, Appleseed stands apart in several respects. First, as a non-partisian organization, Appleseed is able to bring together diverse coalitions to solve pressing social problems. Second, Appleseed goes where the need is. Rather than having a narrow focus and preconceived ideas about solutions, Appleseed looks for the most pressing challenges and works to meet them. Third, Appleseed thinks before it moves for action by grounding its work in evidence-based research. Fourth, Appleseed is uniquely effective at leveraging its excellent staff with the resources of pro bono attorneys at the top law firms around the country.

Appleseed remains dedicated to advocating on behalf of those in need while working to ensure systematic change is realized from the top down. As a student in the Washington D.C. area, I became familiar with Appleseed's work through their efforts related to pollution and the Anacostia River. After becoming a volunteer, I was able to observe and participate in Appleseed Foundation's Immigration Court Reform work, witnessing the broad array of impact the organization has firsthand.

Appleseed's multi-disciplinary approach to solving social justice problems is both innovative and highly effective. Its network of justice centers across the country and in Mexico smartly leverages its broad volunteer base, which includes lawyers as well as accountants, consultants and data experts. Consequently, Appleseed is able to accomplish its objectives in any venue where change can be made -- not only in courtrooms but also in legislatures, board rooms, school boards, agencies, and communities across the country.

As a summer intern at Appleseed, I felt very lucky to join this remarkably dedicated team in their aggressive pursuit of justice for marginalized populations. This organization has a knack for leveraging talented individuals who come up with thoughtful solutions that lead to lasting change. The approach is informed by evidence-gathering, first-hand interviews, statistical data, and legal analysis. It's this rigorous and careful study that makes Appleseed such an effective agent of needed change. Also, Appleseed's close relationships with fellow nonprofits, governmental organizations, and private bodies facilitate smart goal-setting, efficient programming, and deep impact. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have interned with this group and for all the important work they do every day.

Appleseed is distinguished by a great mission, great staff and an engaged, committed Board. Appleseed has been successful in Identifying needs of underserved communities and marshaling legal and other talent and resources to invent innovative approaches to meeting those needs. This approach to pro bono service has been applied with great results to issues in fields including immigration, child support, financial services, education, juvenile justice and others. For a group of expert lawyers to take on solving a problem that could lead to a better life for many offers a satisfying opportunity for pro bono efforts. Appleseed, the various Appleseed Centers and the volunteers are a powerful force for good.

Appleseed is a unique idea –bringing together experts from all walks of life – business, education, healthcare, and of course, law – to address serious social justice issues. During its two decades of existence, the Appleseed Foundation and the Appleseed Centers, through collaboration, have tackled issues that nobody else has truly dealt with…having the unique capability to call those issues their own…whether working to bring Hispanic and Latino immigrants into the financial system or connecting through literacy incarcerated parents, children and caregivers, Appleseed is unique in its approach. A hallmark of Appleseed is that its projects involve large-scale change, not benefits for a single client.

Appleseed has grown from a one-person, one-office shop working on just a few programs to where it is today; 17 public interests justice centers in states across the United States, the District of Columbia and in Mexico. I had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors of the Appleseed Foundation for seven years and chaired the Foundation for three years. I could not be prouder of my association with Appleseed which truly is a force for change, making a positive difference in the lives of those impacted by social justice issues.

I have worked with Appleseed since 2003 and think it is one of the best institutions for protecting and advocating for people's fair treatment, particularly those who are unable otherwise to be heard. Appleseed has dozens of the most professional social justice advocates spread across the country, keeping alert to issues as they arise. It is also amazing in the way that they encourage pro bono support from the legal field, incorporating hundreds of lawyers in private practice to contribute to the plight for justice. Appleseed takes the right approach to solving problems with levelheadedness and expertise.

Appleseed believes in change at the local level and I have been privileged to work with them as a pro bono lawyer for many years on its Immigrant Access to Financial Services Project -- various matters under this project have included making banks be more aware of how to bank immigrants, providing guidance to immigrants on how to open bank accounts and access other financial services, and working at the state and federal level for more transparencies and uniformity of disclosures for immigrants sending money home to their families. These accomplishments have been of enormous use to immigrants.

I have worked with Appleseed for almost six years, both in Alabama and nationally. This organization is able to leverage its contributions by enlisting the pro bono efforts of lawyers from many firms to thoroughly analyze and recommend solutions for systemic justice problems. As a lawyer, it is highly rewarding to apply your expertise and years of experience to a problem area in which you practice. For me, it is the area of debtor/creditor law. I regularly monitor developments and keep local and national staff apprised. Appleseed has developed guidelines for judges on the evidentiary standards required to grant creditors final judgments thus avoiding having debtors subjected to judgments supported by flimsy evidence. Appleseed also is working on reining in the obscene rates of interest charged by payday lenders.
I support Appleseed with my time, talent and treasure. It is always "doing good."

The Appleseed Network seeks to protect individuals and communities that are overlooked, underserved, or entirely marginalized in the United States and Mexico. Both at the national level and through its network of justice centers in 15 states and Mexico, Appleseed creates systemic solutions to plug the gaps through which vulnerable people too often fall. As one illustration, over the past year, my colleagues and I at Latham & Watkins have joined national Appleseed, together with Chicago Appleseed and Texas Appleseed, on a groundbreaking reform project that seeks to restore impartiality and independence to the Immigration Court system. In recent years, the Immigration Courts, in their efforts to adjudicate the overwhelming number of cases that pass through the system, have strayed from both the reality and the perception of the American concept of justice. This project is an example of Appleseed's work to protect the basic legal rights of all individuals, regardless of nationality, race, age, or economic status. Immigrants, of course, are just one of the vulnerable populations served by Appleseed. The network has ongoing programs dedicated to, among others, the working poor and disadvantaged children. I am proud to be involved with an organization that is able to harness the power of the private bar, companies, and other professions to create and advocate for systemic solutions that further the goal of the equal and universal application of justice.

I donated to Appleseed because my gifts are leveraged by Appleseed's use of volunteers from law firms. I believe members of the bar have ethical duties to improve the profession, the administration of law and provide access to justice for the poor and underserved. Appleseed received my donation because national Appleseed and its network of Centers help fix the underlying problems that deny opportunity to vulnerable people.