2019
Annual Report Practice . Teach . Change
A message from the President & CEO and Board Chair Friends, We are proud to share with you our 2019 annual report as outgoing Board Chair and incoming President and CEO. As you will see throughout our annual report, the work of Empire Justice Center is vital, necessary and strategically focused on low income and marginalized communities as our advocates continue to seek new and innovative ways to make the law work for all New Yorkers. Our advocates approach their work through three distinct and powerful avenues – through practicing the law – like we do on Long Island where we represent immigrant communities through the Liberty Defense Program; through teaching the law – via the Crime Victims Legal Network, providing information and resources to attorneys representing victims of crime all across the state; and by changing the law – through our top notch legislative advocacy in Albany, delivering results to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers with the passage of statewide legislation. We strive to do all of this based on client community needs, working holistically wherever possible. We hope you enjoy reading about our work in 2019.
Kristin Brown President and CEO
JoAnn Smith JoA oA S oAnn mith h Board Chair
Empire Justice Center 2019 Board of Directors JoAnn Smith, Chair Rivera Carey PLLC Deborah P. Amory, Ph.D, Vice Chair Empire State College Kristen Clark CPA, FHFMA, Treasurer The Bonadio Group Emily E. Whalen Esq., Secretary Brown & Weinraub Odette Belton, Esq. Monroe County Public Defender John P. Bringewatt, Esq. Harter Secrest & Emery LLP Raymond H. Brescia, Esq. Alabny Law School Kristin Brown, President and CEO
Maureen DeRosa Nancy Engelhardt Juan Gabriel Genao KPMG US Daniel E. Guzmán, Esq. Harris Beach PLLC L. Theresa Macon CASH Volunteer Ginette Rows, RN YAM Community Resource Inc. David H. Tennant, Esq. Law Office of David Tennant PLLC Mishka Anne Woodley, Esq. Shenker Russo Clark LLP All directors serve as volunteers.
We Make the Law Work
We Practice the Law
Ensuring access to key support for people with disabilities People with disabilities are entitled to the support guaranteed them under the law. But unless a person can access that support, the laws on the books are meaningless. Take the case of Ria, who was wrongly denied state disability benefits. Ria appealed that decision and won her appeal. The court acknowledged that Ria had been wrongfully denied and ordered that she receive her state disability payments retroactively. The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (“OTDA”) was responsible for carrying out the court’s order, but OTDA didn’t meet these court-ordered deadlines and kept Ria in the dark. Throughout this incredibly frustrating process, Ria documented her experience. Still unable to get any straight answers, Ria* turned to us. Now we (along with National Center on Law and Economic Justice) have brought suit on behalf of Ria and all others in her situation, arguing that OTDA’s consistent inability to meet court-ordered deadlines has effectively kept disabled New Yorkers from accessing the benefits they qualify for under New York State law. If successful, this lawsuit will positively impact thousands of New Yorkers like Ria every year.
Securing fair practices for people applying for public benefits
For so many of us, having a car is a necessity: we rely on it to get to work, to shop for our essentials, and to attend to the needs of our loved ones. Mabel relied on her vehicle to get to her job at a nursing home, a job she held for ten years and one that allowed her to maintain her financial independence. When Mabel lost her job, she needed some short-term help until she got back on her feet and applied for temporary assistance.
There was a problem, however: because the market value of her car was just $113 over the limit needed to be classified as a “resource,” she was denied any assistance - the suggestion being that she can sell her car to keep herself afloat. We know that a car is critical to finding and maintaining employment, but Mabel faced an additional challenge: she owed more on the auto loan than the car was worth, so selling the car would not help her. Empire Justice Center (along with Legal Services of Central New York) represented Mabel in her appeal of the denial of temporary assistance benefits. Our argument was one grounded in the simple reality: Mabel owed more than the car was worth, and it made no sense for the state policy not to reflect this reality. The Albany County Supreme Court agreed, stating that OTDA’s initial interpretation was “irrational and unreasonable.” As a direct result of this case, all New Yorkers will be able to rely on their vehicle’s equity value, not its market value, when being considered for public assistance. Now New Yorkers like Mabel can access public benefits when they need them while still keeping their vehicle, the most important tool they have for achieving economic stability.
Reuniting mother and child
Every parent deserves to know their child is safe. When Jennifer’s son was taken from her by people claiming to be her child’s grandparents, she didn’t know if her child was at risk. The couple invited mother and child to spend the holidays with them in Indiana; they believed they were the child’s grandparents, but paternity had never been established. While in Indiana, Jennifer received a call from someone claiming to be from Child Protective Services, saying that if she did not sign over custody to the “grandparents” immediately, she would be arrested. The “grandparents” helped her draft a letter transferring custody and took her to have it notarized. It later became clear that the couple had orchestrated this fake and malicious call. Hours later, the couple called the police and forced Jennifer’s removal from their home, using the letter Jennifer had signed against her. While the letter was fraudulent, it prevented local authorities from intervening and Jennifer had no choice but to return home. That’s when Empire Justice got involved. Our advocate secured a court date for Jennifer, forcing the couple to appear via telephone. During this proceeding, the judge threatened to put out an arrest warrant for the couple unless they immediately returned the child to Rochester. Two days later, Jennifer received a call from the couple – her child was back in Rochester! Shortly thereafter, our advocate accompanied Jennifer to a public place so the couple could return her child. Jennifer now has full custody and is overjoyed to have her son back in her arms. Due to our staff member’s advocacy and tenacity, this Rochester mother can sleep again – her child safe nearby.
Individual Legal Aid
During 2019 Empire Justice provided civil legal aid directly to individuals in these areas of law: Consumer 1% Education 24% Employment/Workers' Rights 7% Family 2% Disability Advocacy (DAP) 15% LGBT and Individual Rights 3% Health 12% Housing/Foreclosure 19% Public Benefits 4% Immigration 13%
Enhancing Capacity Empire Justice provided 141 trainings to attorneys and nonprofit advocates, benefiting over 6,069 participants in a variety of legal areas:
Benefits Civil Rights Consumer Crime Victims Disability Advocacy Domestic Violence Education Employment Health Housing Immigration LGBT Rights
Know Your Rights In 2019 Empire Justice:
4,063
Provided community members education and information regarding their legal rights concerning: Consumer, Foreclosure, Health, Immigration, LGBT, Public Benefits and Workers’ Rights
353
Provided legal services attorneys, domestic violence advocates, and other service providers legal research and technical assistance so that they can better assist their clients.
We Teach the Law Educating immigrants on Long Island about their legal rights Our immigrant heritage has enriched America’s history. Each generation of Americans -- of immigrants -- brings a renewal to our national character and adds vitality to our culture. We have long supported immigrant communities on Long Island, making sure they understand their rights under the law and fighting for their equal treatment. In response to the increased activity of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2019, as well as the rapidly changing landscape of immigrant rights, we boosted our outreach to the immigrant community on Long Island. As an example, our senior paralegal Cheryl Keshner was a key contributor to a “Know Your Rights” panel at The Learning Connection, a community organization in Brentwood that teaches English as a second language. Cheryl shared crucial information, in English and Spanish, with over 150 community members about their rights to certain benefits. In addition to being a key panelist at The Learning Connection’s event, Cheryl has provided 1,025 people with critical information over the course of 20 community presentations in the last year alone.
Promoting a crucial resource for crime victims and LGBTQ status We all face hardships we could not have anticipated. Anyone can be the victim of a crime, and the impact of that crime can follow a victim for years. The Crime Victims Legal Network (CVLN) is a partnership among the New York State Office of Victims Services, Empire Justice Center, Pro Bono Net, and the Center of Human Services Research at the University at Albany. The purpose of the network is to connect victims of crime with the civil legal services they need, via the website NY Crime Victims Legal Help (www.crimevictimshelpny.org). Remla Parthasarthy, our CVLN Project Leader, presented this crucial resource at the 8th Judicial District’s Access to Justice meeting. Access to Justice is a statewide program that aims to ensure equitable justice in the legal system “by using every resource, including pro bono programs, self-help services, and technological tools.” This strategic presentation of the CVLN program and its website promotes statewide awareness and understanding of this valuable resource. In the last year, tens of thousands of New Yorkers have sought assistance via this website.
Training advocates on the intersection of Domestic Violence and LGBTQ status Victims of domestic violence within the LGBTQ community face unique barriers to safety and well-being, and new barriers are being put into place. To help advocates understand some of these unique issues, our domestic violence law expert and our LGBTQ legal expert coordinated and hosted the Annual Statewide LGBTQ Domestic Violence Roundtable Meeting in Albany. During this roundtable, our advocates educated their peers on a range of topics including serving LGBTQ immigrant survivors, LGBTQ family case law developments, legislative updates, and the potential impact on LGBTQ people of pending U.S. Supreme Court cases involving sex discrimination. Twenty-five advocates took part in this training, and they brought back what they learned to dozens of others in their organizations. Because of this, those organizations are much better prepared to meet the needs of their LGBTQ clients experiencing domestic violence.
We Change the Law A win for public school students Every student deserves to go to school without fear of discrimination. For close to a decade, only students attending private, non-parochial schools have been protected against discrimination under the New York State Human Rights Law (“HRL”). Empire Justice has been working for years to close this loophole in the law, and in April 2019 the State Legislature passed a bill (A.3425/S.4901) bringing public schools back under the protection of the HRL, which the Governor signed into law in July 2019. The law went into effect immediately. This is great news for students of color, students with disabilities, queer students, and other youth from marginalized backgrounds. Combined with the passage of the Gender Expression Nondiscrimination Act earlier this year (which bans discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression), this new law will be especially helpful for transgender and gender-nonconforming children. Empire Justice is also working with other advocates to update the New York State’s Education Department’s 2015 “Guidance on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students” to reflect these improvements, so that students and school administrators will both have the tools they need to create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.
Highlighting the child care funding gap Every working parent needs access to quality childcare. At an annual cost of $15,394, quality child care is unaffordable for 90% of New York families. Nationally, New York State has the sixth most expensive infant care. In fact, a minimum-wage worker would have to work for 35 weeks just to pay for one infant’s child care! Yet subsidized child care is underfunded and increasingly unavailable. Our “Shouldering the Strain: How Counties Cope with Inadequate Child Care” report breaks down the top methods that counties across New York State employ to deal with this chronic and worsening underfunding. Based on data collected by Empire Justice from July to August 2019, this report includes up-to-date information on the methods counties use to try and stretch child care funds, from lowering eligibility levels or closing intake to denying subsidies to parents and caretakers with disabilities. This unique resource for advocates and public officials alike highlights the complex patchwork of child care subsidy programs across the state.
Promoting access to justice In November, client Shanell Yarde, President & CEO Kristin Brown and Senior Attorney Saima Akhtar were invited to testify at the Chief Judge’s Permanent Commission on Access to Justice’s 10th Anniversary hearing. Shanell’s story illustrates just how impactful it is to have meaningful access to an attorney during civil proceedings. Shanell, an expectant mother of 3 navigating a separation from her husband, gained custody of her 9-month-old niece after her sister could no longer care for her. After taking on this additional responsibility, Shanell needed support. When she called her local Department of Social Services to learn about her options, one crucial program was not shared with her, despite her repeated inquiries for additional resources. Shanell discovered almost a year after taking custody of her niece that she was eligible for an “Other Than Guardian” (OTG) grant. Serving as her own advocate, Shanell requested a fair hearing to claim past grants. Even though she did an outstanding job making her case, the convoluted and confusing process made it almost impossible to win without the training and resources of a trained attorney. She lost her claim. That’s when she was connected with Empire Justice Center. We appealed the denial of her claim, and won! Shanell was finally able to collect the financial assistance to which she was entitled. But it was more powerful than that. She felt heard. She felt validated. She felt like she wasn’t in this alone. And you can’t put a price on that.
From Left to right: Empire Justice CEO, Kristin Brown; Chief Judge Janet DiFiore; Shanell Yarde, and Senior Attorney, Saima Akhtar, look into the camera and smile at the Chief Judge's Hearing on Civil Legal Services
Ensuring Monroe County Residents Have Meaningful Access to Services 14 % of Monroe County’s residents speak a language other than English Empire Justice staff observed several instances at the Monroe County DMV where Limited English Proficient residents had been denied access to language services
Empire Justice collaborated with LawNY and the County Clerk’s Office producing a language access plan. Now, over 100,000 Monroe County residents will be able to obtain essential public information and services in their native language
In 2019:
CASH operates free, highquality tax preparation sites throughout Monroe County. IRS certified volunteers prepare and electronically file federal and NYS tax returns for free.
7500 Families filed tax returns
$10.9M Total tax refunds went to low-income workers, helping them put food on the table and save for the future
204 Volunteers gave more than 7,900 hours of their time to help hard working families get, keep and grow their money.
We Make the Headlines Featured In...
Our practice, teach, change philosophy allows us to recognize emerging issues within our communities and to take action quickly. News organizations often look to us as leaders in the field, and feature the work of our advocates. Here are some of the stories that were picked up and featured during 2019: • Cheryl Keshner, Senior Paralegal, spoke to the Long Island Press to pressure ICE to remove its trailers from outside the Nassau County jail. • Kristin Brown, President & CEO, and Kirsten Keefe, Senior Attorney, were featured on Capital Pressroom on the need for foreclosure prevention services. Kristin was also quoted in Buffalo Business First on the need for foreclosure prevention services. • The National Low Income Housing Coalition featured a quote from Cheryl Keshner, Senior Paralegal, advocating against a proposed HUD rule that would interfere with immigrant access to affordable housing. • Berta Rivera, CASH Director, was featured in several local publications promoting the CASH Program including WHEC, Rochester Business Journal and WXXI. • The Capital Tonight blog featured Amy Schwartz-Wallace, Senior Attorney, celebrating the passage of the “Right to call 911” bill, enabling domestic violence victims to call the police without fear of penalty. • Remla Parthasarthy, Project Leader, was featured in Governor Cuomo’s press release announcing the expansion of the Crime Victims Legal Network website. • The CSEA Workforce Development Institute (WDI) gave a shout out in their annual report to Susan Antos and the Empire Justice, citing our counsel and literature as “Instrumental” in WDI’s child care copayment waiver efforts. • Daily Record featured staff attorney Keana Williams on her experience as a young attorney. • Times Union quoted Susan Antos, Staff Attorney, explaining the impact of a new law expanding child care coverage in Saratoga County. • Spanish publication Noticia featured Cheryl Keshner, with fellow advocates, speaking out against the proposed public charge rule for immigrants. Cheryl was also quoted in Newsday on this same topic. • The Democrat and Chronicle published a Guest Essay authored by Kristin Brown, President & CEO, in support of properly resourcing kinship care. • Marlene Cortés, Project Manager, spoke about our language access agreement with the Monroe County Clerk to WXXI. • The Rochester Beacon featured Senior Attorney Maggie Robb, exploring Empire Justice Center and the Rochester City School District’s joint statement on plans to fix the district’s special education program.
An Honorable Team Each year Empire Justice staff members receive dozens of awards and recognition for their tenacious advocacy and outstanding service to the people of New York and the legal profession. Listed below is a snapshot of the awards we received in 2017 and 2018: Jim Dukette Marlene Cortés Anne Erickson Amanda Gallipeau Kristi Hughes Kirsten Keefe Maggue Robb Amy Schwartz-Wallace Shannon Swiatek -
The Daily Record 2018 Excellence in Law Unsung Legal Hero Honoree Graduate of the Shriver Center’s Leadership for Justice Conference Appointed by Judge Doran to his sub-committee of OCA’s Justice for All initiative 2019 Women of Distinction Award Appointed to the new NY State of Health Advisory Committee The Daily Record 2019 Excellence in Law Unsung Legal Hero Honoree Awarded HomeSmart’s 2019 Community Partnership Award NYS Department of Financial Services’ Consumer Protection Task Force Appointee Appointed to the MCBA Board of Trustees Chair of the Monroe County Bar Association’s Memorial Ceremony Appointed to the NYSBA Bar Association’s House of Delegates United Way of Greater Rochester’s Emerging Leaders Development Program (ELDP) Graduate
We Celebrate Success
Pictured from left to right, bottom row: Saima Ahktar, Kristi Hughes, Anne Erickson - honoree, Susan Antos, Connie Wiggins Top row: Deb Amory, Luiz Santos, Barbara Van Kerkhove, Shannon Swiatek, Michelle Peterson, Kathleen Morgan, Eoghann Renfroe, Jim Dukette, Amy Schwartz-Wallace, Lettie Dickerson, Kristin Brown, Matt Mobley, Cathy Roberts, Jo Ann Smith
A Celebration of Leadership 2019 HONOREE Our 2019 Leadership Award was presented to our former President and CEO, Anne Erickson, in honor of her retirement and more than 30 years of unwavering commitment to access to justice in New York State. Anne was hired as Legislative Coordinator for the Greater Upstate Law Project (now Empire Justice) in 1989 and became President and CEO in 2000. When Anne took over as President and CEO, Empire Justice Center was two separate agencies under one corporate umbrella with a staff of 24, two office locations and a budget of $1.2 million. As a result of her leadership, Empire Justice Center grew to be a strong and well respected brand with a budget of over $7 million, employing 65 staff members working out of five offices. Over her 30 years with the organization, Anne was a stalwart leader in the efforts to expand access to civil legal services in New York State. Before becoming CEO, she was actively involved in the implementation of federal welfare reform in New York in 1997 and advocating for expanded access to health care for low-income New Yorkers. Her early work with the legal services community helped pave the way for the first allocation of general funding for civil legal services in New York in 1993. State funding now exceeds $100 million annually. Throughout Anne’s career, she provided support and leadership to the legal services community. In 2010, Anne was named by then Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman to the State’s Task Force on Expanded Access to Legal Services, now the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice. We were thrilled to publicly recognize Anne’s many accomplishments and her leadership of Empire Justice Center.
We Celebrate Success 2019 LEAD CORPORATE SPONSOR Advocate Sponsor Ostroff Associates
Guardian Sponsors Deborah Amory Brown Weinraub Community Service Society Harter Secrest & Emery LLP Reid, McNally & Savage LLC
Partner Sponsors Albany County Bar Association Farrell Fritz Malkin & Ross Maureen DeRosa Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York JoAnn Smith The Legal Project WAMC Northeast Publc Radio Emily Whalen
Donations in Honor of Anne Erickson Linda Bopp John Bringewatt Lauren Breen Michael Burgess Carmen Ciparick Eugene Clifford Nancy Engelhardt Rene Farrington Henry Freedman Nadia Gareeb Shirley Gordon Daniel Guzman David Leven Paul Lupia L.Theresa Macon Peter Newell Ann Nortz Michelle Santantonio
Lisa Sbrana Ronald Tabak Justin Vigdor Stephanie Wacholder Kathleen Whelehan
Journal Ads The Family of Anne Erickson Community Health Care Association Hanna S. Cohn Memorial Fund Jery Wein and Val Bogart Legal Services of the Hudson Valley Legal Services NYC M&T Bank Nassau Suffolk Law Services Western New York Law Center
SCHLANGER LAW GROUP LLP AWARDS EMPIRE JUSTICE CY PRES The Schlanger Law Group LLP is a leading law firm in New York State, with deep expertise in helping consumers address identity theft, unfair credit reporting, and debt collection practices. “Nominating Empire Justice Center for the award is a concrete way to amplify its excellent work on behalf of consumers, and help people achieve greater economic justice,” said Daniel A. Schlanger. A cy pres award can be given to charitable organizations when there are leftover funds from a class-action lawsuit. Through this redirection of funds, the plaintiffs can provide funds to carry out the terms of the cy pres award through enhanced and additional services to our clients. Thanks to the Schlanger Law Group, Empire Justice Center received a cy pres award of $129,000 stemming from the class action lawsuit Daisley v. West Creek Financial, Inc., alleging deceptive and unfair “Rent-To-Own” practices. This is the second time in the past two years that New York City consumer law attorney Daniel A. Schlanger, of the Schlanger Law Group LLP, has proposed Empire Justice Center as the recipient of a cy pres award (the first in Miranda v. CACH LLC, et al., resolved in 2018). We are grateful to Daniel and the entire team at the Schlanger Law Group LLP.
With Gratitude...
Because of your support we were able to move quickly and aggressively in response to changes in laws and regulations that affect the lives of low-income people.
Individual Support This listing reflects gifts received or dated between the period of January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. The giving level acknowledges the total aggregate donations during this time period. Gifts received or dated after December 31, 2019 will be recognized in the 2020 Annual Report. $5,000+ Maureen DeRosa JoAnn and Raymond Smith Vicki and Richard Schwartz (designated to C.A.S.H.)
$1,000 - $4,999 Anonymous Donor (2) Deborah Amory Mary Angerame Catherine Callery and Michael Nazar, M.D. Kristen M. Clark Anne Erickson I.M. Haettenschwiller Ellen Johnson $500 - $999 John Casellini Joseph Cohn and Amy Choskey Timothy Davis and Mary Ellen West Judy and David Gilberg
Toni and Dwight Greenlee Kenneth Harbison (designated to C.A.S.H.)
J. Thomas Marchitto George L. and Joyce Parker David and Nancy Schraver Peter Oddleifson and Kay Wallace Michael Wolford Mishka Woodley $250 - $499 Saima Akhtar Susan Antos Alan Block Joy Blumkin and Lew Golinker Lauren Breen Raymond Brescia John P. Bringewatt Kristin Brown Konnie Collins Brian Curran Alex and Fredric Devens Michael Dwyer Rene Farrington Barbara Finkelstein Gregory Franklin and Jean McCreary Nadia Gareeb Daniel Guzman Mike Hudson Trish MacEnroe Tom Maligno Keith McCafferty Betsy Naumburg and Carl
Hoffman Phillis Oliver RenĂŠ Reixach Esq. Anthony Suchman M.D and Lynne Feldman Evan Sullivan Hon. Helene Weinstein Emily Whalen $100 - $249 Anonymous Donor (2) Alan Brown William Brown Donald Chesworth Nancy Engelhardt Henry Freedman Don Friedman Rita Eygabroad Garretson Alan Gelb and Karen Levine Simeon Goldman Karen Gsellmeier Linda Hassberg and Douglas Kortiz John Heveron Jr. Kristi and Shawn Hughes John and Marcia Keefe Lyn Kelly Hon. Joan Kohout Lamb Law Offices David Lansner C. Bruce Lawrence Esq. David Leven Karen Lipson and Alan Goldberg Mary Loewenguth Luisa Martinez
Thank You! Gerald McIntyre Harry P. Messina Jr. Patricia O’Neill and Robert Devilleneuve Remla Parthasarathy Martha G. Pradhan Helen Reagan Wendy Rivenburgh Robert Robbin Kristina and John Rogers Leslie Salzman Barbara Samuels Melinda Saran Lisa Sbrana Margaret Smerbeck Ruth and Scott Smith Molly Snyder Ronald J. Tabak Anita Thayer Samuel O. Tilton Lauren Tobias Paul Tremblay Philip Uninsky Esq. Barbara Van Kerkhove Stephanie Wacholder Jerry Wein and Val Bogart Kathleen Whelehan Gwynne Wilcox Robin and Samuel Young Robert Ziegler Jr. $1- $99 Anonymous (1) Thalia Bouklas Michael James Burgess Eugene T. and Joyce
We are humbled by the generosity of our friends and colleagues across the state and the country. Please know that your support makes a difference and allows us to meet our promise of making the law work for all New Yorkers.
Clifford Rome Celli Elaine Z. Cole Esq. Mark Curley Paul Eaglin and Jordan Titus Danica Eskind Martin Feldman and Greta Matus Feldman Louise Fletcher Marjorie Geiger Richard Gilbert Herb B. and Shirley G. Gordon Russ Haven Paul Houndt Diane Ives William Johnson Jr. Laura Kaplan Louis Kash Kirsten Keefe Kathryn Lambert Mary Leary Carolyn Lee-Davis Sarah F. Liebschutz, Ph.D Paul Lupia L. Theresa Macon Terrance McCarthy Karen J. McMullen Dan Meyers Anne Mitchell Claire Murray Peter Newell John T. O’Connell and Gretchen Hartman Robert and Laurie Plattner Bruce Popper Adam Prizio
Maureen Richardson Emanuel Rocha Richard D. Rosenbloom Esq. Harriette Royer Jeremy Saucier Howard I. and Arlene Schenker Richard Shroyer Mary Staropoli and Doug Ackley Cathy Streit Shannon Swiatek Ann Townsend Bethene Trexel and John Tenney Libby Tucker Justin and Louise Vigdor Michael Wargula Esq. Joan R. Willis Wayne and Susan Willis John Witmeyer Ellen Yacknin and Cathy Mazzotta Susan Zajac If we omitted or misspelled your name, please accept our apologies and contact Kristi Hughes Vice President for Development at (585) 295-5817 or khughes@empirejustice.org.
With Gratitude... Tribute Gifts In Memory or Honor In Honor of Deb Amory Diane Ives In Honor of Kristin Brown Wendy Rivenburgh In Honor of Anne Erickson Michael James Burgess Nancy Engelhardt Rene Farrington Nadia Gareeb J. Thomas Marchitto In Honor of JoAnn Smith Deborah Amory Nancy Engelhardt Emily Whalen Daniel Guzman Raymond Brescia John P Bringewatt Kristen M. Clark In Honor of Barbara Weiner and Susan Antos Alan Gelb and Karen Levine In Memory of Karen Vinkey Cathy Streit Louise Fletcher
Because of your support we were able to move quickly and aggressively in response to changes in laws and regulations that affect the lives of low-income people.
Foundation, Organization, Government Support Corporation Support Albany County Bar Association Bloomberg Philanthropies, What Works Cities Brown Weinraub The Century Foundation Community Health Care Association Community Service Society ESL Foundation Farrell Fritz Hannah S. and Samuel A. Cohn Memorial Foundation Hanna S. Cohn Memorial Fund, RACF Harter Secrest & Emery LLP JPMorgan Chase Legal Services of the Hudson Valley Legal Services NYC Long Island Community Foundation Malkin & Ross M&T Bank Nassau Suffolk Law Services New York Bar Foundation Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York Reid, McNally & Savage LLC Rochester Area Community Foundation Rochester Women’s Giving Circle Fund, RACF The Legal Project United Way of Greater Rochester WAMC Northeast Publc Radio Western New York Law Center
City of Rochester NYS Interest on Lawyer Account Fund (IOLA) NYS Office of the Attorney General NYS Department of State NYS Department of Criminal Justice Services NYS Office for New Americans NYS Office for the Aging NYS Office of Court Administration NYS Office of New Americans NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance NYS Office of Victim Services US Department of Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Subcontracts with Other Agencies Catholic Family Center, Rochester Community Service Society Legal Action Center Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County Inc.
2019 Financials
These financial statements cover the fiscal year January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019.
2019 Support & Revenue Grants & Contracts: $5,326,167 Contributions: $300,761 Other fees: $68,177 CASH Contributions: $804,379 Interest: $402
2019 Total Support & Revenue: $6,528,665
2019 Expenses Program Personnel: $3,986,914 Contract Services / Subcontracts to Partners: $752,996 Occupancy: $322,812 Office & Related Expenses: $507,661 General & Administrative: $956,219
2019 Total Expenses: $6,526,602
The Balance Sheet ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents Receivables Prepaid Expenses Property and Equipment Other Assets Total Assets
$493,089 $1,730,640 $35,228 $78,925 $146,821 $2,484,703
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Current Liabilities Total Liabilities
$ 1,513,933 $ 949,964
NET ASSETS Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Total Net Assets
$ 345,982 $ 624,788 $ 970,770
A New Leader... Kristin Brown Selected as President and CEO The Board of Directors of the Empire Justice Center was pleased to announce the appointment of Kristin Brown as the organization’s new President and CEO in 2019. Brown previously served as Empire Justice Center’s Vice President for Policy and Government Relations and as a member of the Leadership Team. She officially began as President and CEO on July 16th, 2019. Brown was chosen after a national search, led by Board member Dr. Deborah Amory with assistance from Patricia Pap, Executive Director of Management Information Exchange (MIE) and a team of Empire Justice Board and staff members. “We engaged in a thorough national search based on organizational priorities identified by staff members and the Board,” said Dr. Amory. “We were thrilled when Empire Justice’s own Kristin Brown emerged as the clear leader among a group of highly qualified candidates.” “I am incredibly honored to have been chosen to lead Empire Justice Center into the next decade and look forward to working with our talented Board and staff to pursue cutting edge legal advocacy on behalf of low income and marginalized communities,” said Ms. Brown. A well-known and deeply respected presence in New York’s legal services community and within the state legislative process, Ms. Brown has led the organization’s extremely successful public policy and legislative advocacy since 2004 designing, organizing, and advancing the annual budgetary and legislative agenda of the organization, leading multimillion dollar funding campaigns with community partners and advancing issues that expand access to justice. “Kristin brings a wealth of experience, a depth of commitment and a powerful vision that will keep this highly effective organization moving forward,” said JoAnn Smith, Board Chair.
Disability Advocacy Program Celebrates 35 Years
DAP
35TH
ANNIVERSARY For the last 35 years, the DAP program has been fighting to help some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, including those with disabilities and the elderly, get access to federal benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability (SSD). All too often, New Yorkers with disabilities’ applications for SSI or SSD are denied or discontinued due to lack of medical evidence or other complications. DAP service providers help applicants navigate the complex process of obtaining federal benefits and assist them at every stage of the process, including gathering medical evidence, working with hospitals and doctor’s offices to track down medical records, and representing claimants at their hearings.
In 2019, DAP providers helped close nearly 5,000 cases on behalf of New Yorkers unable to work due to disabilities and medical problems, saving New York State and counties more than $36 million in retroactive benefits, federal dollars paid back to the state, and savings to localities after applicant moves from locally-funded benefits programs to longer term federal assistance. The program has also allowed programs to focus on outreach to severely vulnerable communities, including homeless and unstably housed people, those who struggle with mental health, immigrants, LGBTQ people, and veterans.
EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER Albany ♦ Long Island ♦ Rochester ♦ Westchester www.empirejustice.org
We Make the Law Work.