ANNUAL REPORT
September 1, 2013 – August 31, 2014
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Dear Supporters,
Over the past year I’ve been reminded time and again why I joined the board of Veterans Legal Services. As an Iraq war
veteran, I know firsthand the lasting impact of military service. Many of you have heard me speak openly about my
experiences and the impact of post-traumatic stress. Yet, knowing what I know now, if I could go back in time, I would still
join the Marine Corps again in a second. The good outweighed the bad, even on the worst days.
I came home from Iraq to supportive family and friends, but many veterans are not so lucky. Whether it is a traumatic brain
injury, physical disabilities, a dramatic change in income, post-traumatic stress, or just difficulty transitioning to civilian life,
every day veterans deal with the lasting physical, mental, and economic consequences of service. Unfortunately, these
lasting consequences can often lead to legal problems, which, if they are not addressed, are a major cause of veteran
homelessness.
That is why I serve as President of Veterans Legal Services (VLS). VLS’s mission is to advocate for veterans who cannot
advocate for themselves. I’m excited to share this report with you about the progress VLS has made in the last year. The
organization is developing new community and law firm partnerships and making a real difference in the lives of more
veterans in need.
Many of you already know VLS was selected as a 2014 Social Innovator by Root Cause. As a Social Innovator, VLS has the
continuing opportunity to work with Root Cause’s team of seasoned professionals to plan for how we will meet the needs
of veterans in the years to come. This is especially important because veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are
becoming homeless faster than any prior generation of veterans. In fact, the number of these veterans who are homeless or
at-risk has more than tripled in the last five years. Legal assistance is one of their top unmet needs.
Veterans Legal Services knows these veterans will need our help, but our current capacity is limited and for every veteran
we serve, there is another who we have to turn away. We have a plan for serving 200 more of these veterans and adding
more community partner sites in the next two years, but we cannot do it alone. We need you to continue to invest in
VLS so that in the future no veteran remains homeless because of a lack of legal help. Together, we can make that happen.
Semper Fi,
Tim McLaughlin
ABOUT VETERANS LEGAL SERVICES
Our Mission: To promote self-sufficiency, stability, and financial security of homeless and low-income veterans through
free and accessible legal services. Through restricted funding, we also provide legal services to homeless and at risk
individuals in Cambridge.
FROM OUR CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Dear Friends,
What an exciting year it has been for Veterans Legal Services! We have been honored to have the support of so many
friends, both new and old, who have made it possible for us to help hundreds of veterans in need and enhance VLS’s
sustainability. You may have volunteered, attended our annual gala, supported us through a grant, made a financial
contribution, or introduced us to someone who could help further our mission. Without you, we would not have the
continued privilege of helping veterans in need transition to a place of stability.
This pas year’s progress includes being selected as one of Root Cause's 2014 Social Innovators and working with their
consultants to increase capacity and accelerate VLS’s social impact. VLS also continued working with 2013-2014 Access to
Justice Fellow Rosemary Allen to build VLS’s volunteer attorney program, developing new partnerships with many area law
firms to expand services. VLS also secured 2014-2015 Access to Justice Fellow Jordan Krasnow, who has recruited
outstanding new board and committee members to help VLS fulfill its mission.
VLS is thrilled to have been awarded a Skadden Arps Fellow, Jessica Youngberg. Jessica is a former VLS law student intern
and one of only twenty-eight recent law graduates nationwide to receive a 2015 Skadden Fellowship! Jessica comes from a
military family and is a former VLS volunteer. We are excited to welcome her back to VLS full time for the next two years
courtesy of Skadden Arps. Congratulations Jessica!
As we reflect on the last year, we are continually thankful for your generosity which has allowed us to enhance capacity,
keeping an open door for veterans in need. With your help, we are taking on tough cases for veterans who have been sent
home from the military without the benefits and services they have earned or who are struggling with the lasting impact of
their service.
Now, more than ever, your support is critical to meeting this need. The number of homeless and at-risk veterans of Iraq and
Afghanistan continues to grow. With your help, VLS can continue to meet the needs of veterans of yesterday, today, and
tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Anna S. Richardson
Sarah Roxburgh Lucyniak
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Every year VLS helps hundreds of Greater Boston’s homeless and low-income veterans,
individuals, and families resolve legal issues that pose barriers to their transition from poverty
or homelessness to stability and self-sufficiency. VLS clients are low income, and most are living
in shelters when they receive VLS services.
VETERANS LEGAL CLINICS
VLS’s veterans legal clinics began 24 years ago when a group of law students
observed that the residents of the New England Center for Homeless
Veterans were not being served by other legal services programs. Today,
drawing on the organization’s years of experience, VLS is still the only legal
services organization in Greater Boston whose mission is to serve veterans
in need. We believe that no man or woman who has served our country
should be homeless or at risk of homelessness because of a lack of legal
representation.
Each year, through its on-site legal clinics, VLS staff and volunteers assist
hundreds of veterans with resolving legal issues that pose barriers to
self-sufficiency and the transition from homelessness.
VLS staff, with the help of law student advocates, provides on-site services to veterans at the New England Center for
Homeless Veterans, the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, Massachusetts Veterans Stand Down, and Yellow Ribbon and veterans expo
events for deploying and returning National Guard Members. VLS volunteer law student advocates assist VLS attorneys by
interviewing clients, performing legal research, screening clients for financial and geographic eligibility, and assisting in VLS’s
office. Each semester over 30 law students devote a minimum of five hours per week assisting VLS in serving its clients. VLS
volunteer law students and attorneys often have a unique interest in serving veterans because of their own, or a family
member’s military service. Many of VLS’s law student advocates go on to join its panel of pro bono attorneys once they
graduate from law school.
VLS volunteer attorneys provide legal advice and representation in collaboration with the staff, together with other
supportive services providers such as the Department of Veterans Services Statewide Advocacy for Veterans Empowerment
(S.A.V.E.) outreach team.
At Massachusetts Veterans Stand Down, VLS staff and
volunteer attorneys provided nearly 100 homeless and atrisk veterans with legal information, advice, and referrals
in a single weekend.
Another key part of VLS’s work is educating others on how
to meet the unique legal needs of veterans and their
families. VLS staff provide mentorship to volunteer
attorneys and law students, and provide information and
feedback to community members on the legal needs of
Greater Boston’s homeless and at-risk veterans.
Attorney Anna Richardson continues to be actively
involved as Co-Chair of the Boston Bar Association’s
Committee on Legal Services for Military Personnel,
Veterans, and their Families. Attorney Richardson has also
served as faculty on continuing legal education courses,
bar association trainings, and other trainings to educate
attorneys regarding the unique legal issues faced by
veterans.
COMMUNITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT
Community Legal Assistance Services Project (“CLASP”) is devoted to serving the
homeless and removing legal barriers to stable housing. Funded by a generous
grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development through the City of
Cambridge, our attorneys and volunteer law student advocates provide on-site
legal services to homeless individuals at the Cambridge Multi-Service Center.
We collaborate with Eliot Community Human Services, and Heading Home to
identify individuals in need of legal services. Staff and volunteer law student
advocates partner with shelter and service center staff to provide comprehensive
services and improve case outcomes.
SUPPORT FOR TENANTS AT RISK
The Support for Tenants At Risk (“STAR”) pilot program began in July
2013 in collaboration with the Cambridge Multi-Service Center,
Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services, Eliot Community Human
Services, and HomeStart. Through STAR, these community partners
identify tenants facing eviction whose tenancies may be preserved
through legal and other assistance. Attorneys represent these clients
in the Cambridge District Court, while securing financial and
supportive services to allow these individuals and families to remain
in their homes.
“When I joined the Navy sixty-three years ago, I
never thought that dedicated young people like
you would have such an effect on my life. Thank
you again.”
- Ted, Korean War Veteran
CASES
Melissa* is just one example of the veterans VLS was able to serve with your help. Melissa joined the Army when she
turned 18 and served on active duty from 2000 to 2008, deploying to serve in combat operations. In Iraq. When Melissa
came to VLS a few years later, she was a single parent, working, going to school part-time, and living in a shelter because
she was unable to make ends meet for herself and her five-year-old son. Melissa was initially referred to the Department
of Revenue for assistance with obtaining child support from the child’s father, but they were unable to assist her because
the child’s father was also in the military. Even though Army regulations require all servicemembers to support their
children, he did not fulfill this obligation. A staff member at the Department of Veterans Affairs then referred her to VLS.
With the help of VLS, Melissa was able to locate her child’s father and immediately secure financial support with assistance
from the Army. VLS also assisted Melissa in obtaining a court order for support and health insurance for her son. Today,
they have moved out of the shelter and have an apartment to call home.
Other Case Highlights:
o Overturned a Probate & Family Court judgment that violated the veteran’s constitutional rights by prohibiting
him from participating in activities at his temple and with Jewish War Veterans of America. Represented the
veteran before the Supreme Judicial Court, securing a key ruling on the issue of subject matter jurisdiction in
interstate child support cases, an issue impacting many VLS clients.
o Collaborated with Collora, LLP on a case in the Federal District Court for judicial review of a severely disabled
veteran’s military discharge status. The matter is currently remanded to the Army Board of Correction of
Military Records for further consideration.
o Secured Chapter 115 benefits for two veterans which prevented them from losing their housing.
o Obtained child support for an Army veteran whose former spouse was not fulfilling his financial obligation.
o Prevented eviction of a disabled veteran, whose landlord sought to evict him because it wanted to raise the
rent $100 monthly and the veteran’s supportive housing program voucher rules would not permit him to pay
the increase.
Matt* is another example of who the organization has helped with your support. When we met
him through the walk-in clinic he was living in a garden shed with nowhere else to turn. During the
incredibly cold winter, he had only a small propane heater to keep warm. Matt had become
disabled and owed back child support. His child support order had been established when he was
working a steady job and he needed a complex Qualified Domestic Relations Order to divide his
pension and fulfill his obligation. He was so desperate he was sending his SNAP/Food Stamps to
the mother of his child to help her put food on the table. After working with VLS, he was able to
divide the pension, began receiving Social Security benefits, and successfully modified his child
support to work towards paying off the arrears. He has applied for public housing and is eligible to
receive a voucher so he will not have to spend another winter out in the cold.
*Client names have been changed to protect confidentiality.
INCOME & EXPENDITURES
The critical work of Veterans Legal Services would not
be possible without the generous support in the form
of grants from the Boston Bar Foundation, the Bushrod
Campbell and Adah Hall Charity Fund, the Cambridge
Community Foundation, Eastern Bank, Highland Street
Foundation (via Root Cause) the Massachusetts
Department of Housing and Community Development,
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, the Massachusetts Bar Foundation,
Prosakuer, Root Cause Social Innovation Forum, and all
of our private and corporate sponsors.
We are also incredibly grateful to all who give online,
at fundraising events, or with the gift of their time and
professional services to help sustain the organization.
With your help, we look forward to continuing to
change lives in 2014-2015.
By utilizing the services of nearly one hundred
volunteer law students and attorneys each year, VLS is
able to serve hundreds of clients at a very low cost per
case. The end result is more value per dollar for each
of our funders, public and private, together with
rewarding pro bono opportunities for those wishing to
give back to the community.
2013 - 2014 Income
Fundraising Events & Donations - $71,467
Dept. of Housing & Urban Development $53,141
Private Philanthropy - $40,000
Dept. of Housing & Community Development $11,917
Root Cause Social Innovation Forum - $10,000
Boston Bar Foundation - $7,500
Other - $9,680
Cambridge Community Foundation - $4,500
Massachusetts Bar Foundation - $28,000
Proskauer - $2,500
Bushrod Campbell & Adah Hall Charity Fund $2,000
2013 - 2014 Expenses
Attorneys & Staff - $181,046
Employee Benefits - $17,980
Insurance - $9,626
Parking & Travel - $5,013
Professional Fees & Accountant - $5,214
Postage, Printing & Copying - $4,327
Supplies - $2,007
Equipment & Storage - $2,257
Telephone, fax, website & IT - $1,860
Other - $3,923
Licensing, Dues, & Subscriptions - $955
Staff & Volunteer Training - $659
Client Fees - $116
GRANTORS & MAJOR DONORS
The Dept. of Housing
& Community
Development
The Bushrod Campbell
& Adah F. Hall Charity
Fund
The Department of
Housing & Urban
Development
SUSTAINING DONORS
Rosemary & Dick Allen
Clayton Jones & Anne Dodson
James W. Down
Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
Mark D. McGowan
Tim McLaughlin, Esq.
Prof. E. Donald Elliott &
Dr. Gail Charnley Elliott
Matt & Stephanie Mulligan
Sacajawea Charitable Foundation
Theodore Grannatt, Esq.
Scott Harshbarger, Esq.
Andrew & Mary von Kuhn
James P. Whitters, III, Esq.
FRIENDS
Amanda Amendola
Armed Forces Retirees
Association of California
William Barabino
Katherine O. Beattie
Margot Botsford
Jesse Bousquet
Gail Branchini
Michael Brooks, Jr.
Brown Rudnick
Andrea Campbell
James Campbell
T.L. Carabillo
Michael & Cameron
Casey
Ed Colbert, III
Matt Cole
Chris Connors
Tim Cremeans
Richard Curtin
William Davis
Julia Dunne
Elizabeth Ehrlich
Robert Farrell
Matthew & Maria Feher
Wallace Fischer
Samuel Frank
Tony Fuller
Adam Glickman
Darlene Gray
Mike Hackett
Michael Harney
Robert Harper-Mangels
Nick Henry
David & Constance
Hetzel
Chester & Stephanie
Hooper
Alyssa Horton
Fred Kemper
Ellen Kief
Philip Klibansky
Alice Laffey
Amber Lane
Dan LaPenta
Doug & Cindy Lareau
Samuel Lee
Leerink Family Foundation
Sharon Lewis
Daniel Losk
David MacDonald
Deborah Maniace-Ireland
MassChallenge
James Mathiesen
Andrew McCawley
Joe & Lorna McCoy
John McCoy
Kathleen McGonagle
Connor McLaughlin
Keith McLaughlin
Philip McLaughlin
McLaughlin Law Office
Brian McLaughlin, Jr.
Brian McLaughlin, Sr.
FRIENDS
Brian Melanson
Kelsey Montgomery
Susan Moore
Lynne Mulkerrin
Coleman Nee
Nigro Family Foundation
Christopher Nyberg
Katherine O’Beattie
A. Pierre & Jane Olney
Clare Pastore
Jonathan D. Paul
William & Patricia
Peterson
John Pollock
Robert Popeo, Jr.
Padmaja Raman
Thomas Redekopp
Jack Regan
Nancy Richter
Allan Ryan
Eric Sample
Caleb Schillinger
Ivy Schram
Debra Schwartz
Erica Schwarz
David Shapira
Daniel Shea
Robert K. Sheridan & Jean
O’Hara Sheridan Charitable
Trust
Robert O. & Catherine
Sheridan
Wendy Silverman
Rita Simpson
Sean Small
John & Lisa Sterrett
Jeffrey Strom
Sugarman & Sugarman
J. Colin Sullivan
Jane Collins Sullivan
John J. Sullivan
The Sym Family
Jennifer Tabak
Jane Tewksbury
Elnaz Teymouri
Mary Shannon Thomas
Sharon Toffler
Warren Tolman
Trip Advisor
Stan Troisi
Haig der Manuelian Ttee
Jennie Van Cleef
Jennel Vendola
Kurt Ward
Travis Weiner
Julie White
James P. Whitters, III
Christine Wichers
Michelle Wolf
Michelle Wong
Brandon & Jessica
Youngberg
Hans & Ann Ziegler
STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
Sarah Roxburgh Lucyniak, Esq.
Co-Executive Director
Anna S. Richardson, Esq.
Co-Executive Director
Eve Elliott, Esq.
Staff Attorney
Rosemary Allen, Esq.
2013 – 2014 Access to Justice Fellow
Volunteer Attorney Coordinator
Jordan Krasnow, Esq.
2014-2015 Access to Justice Fellow
Sean Small
Northeastern Law School Co-op
“It was a absolute pleasure working with you. My
time at VLS was truly the most formative of my
legal training to date. On behalf of all veterans
thank you for what you do.”
-
Sean, VLS Volunteer & USMC OIF Veteran
VOLUNTEERS
PRO BONO ATTORNEYS
Beth Ahern, Esq.
Dick Allen, Esq.
Steven Ayr, Esq.
Tom Beauvais, Esq.
Jesse Bousquet, Esq.
Tim Braughler, Esq.
Ann Brennan, Esq.
Cameron Casey, Esq.
Christie Charles, Esq.
Gene Charny, Esq.
Jennifer Ewing, Esq.
Jennifer Fahey, Esq.
Michael Fay, Esq.
Megan Froemming, Esq.
Larisa Freyman, Esq.
Tony Fuller, Esq.
Jim Gallagher, Esq.
Isaac Garcia-Dale, Esq.
Lynn Girton, Esq.
Lane Goldberg, Esq.
Patrick Halasz, Esq.
Jon Hayden, Esq.
Lisa Hewitt, Esq.
Michael Homer, Esq.
Susan Howards, Esq.
Michelle Kalas, Esq.
Michelle Keith, Esq.
Fred Kemper, Esq.
Ellen Kief, Esq.
Anna Klimas, Esq.
Dan LaPenta, Esq.
Don Lassman, Esq.
Bill Lovett, Esq.
Gregory Lucyniak, Esq.
Philip Madell, Esq.
Louis Manzo, Esq.
Brian McLaughlin, Jr., Esq.
Kelsey Montgomery, Esq.
Jon O’Connor, Esq.
William Palin, Esq.
David Phalen, Esq.
Diane Pires, Esq.
Jamieson Porter, Esq.
Clarence Richardson, Jr., Esq.
Ethan Ritterhaus, Esq.
Ivy Schram, Esq.
Daniel Shea, Esq.
Chuck Sheehan, Esq.
David Soutter, Esq.
Chuck Sheehan, Esq.
Eve Slattery, Esq.
Heidi Struse, Esq.
Glen Tagliamonte, Esq.
Sharon Toffler, Esq.
Michelle Wolf, Esq.
VOLUNTEERS & LAW STUDENT ADVOCATES
Sara Afshar
Fred Arens
Melissa Baldwin
Chris Barnett
Rajat Bhardwaj
Anne Marie Martin
Amanda Casselman
Ellen McClintock
Christine Donovan
David Owens
Elizabeth Parisi
Matt Douglass
Jessica Drew
Cristine Poole
Denis Egorov
Maria Ramrath
Edward Eiffler
Anthony Rizzo
Anthony Francomacaro
Amy Robinson
Greg Galizio
Sean Small
Kyle Garry
Caitlin Tompkins
Brett Higgins
Special thanks to our 2014 Summer Interns!
Samantha Lyons
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tim McLaughlin, Esq., President Jennifer Glanville
Holland & Knight
The Boston Beer Company
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Matthew Hurley, Esq.
Mintz Levin
Ted Grannatt, Esq., Secretary
McCarter & English, LLP
U.S. Navy Veteran
Robert Sheridan, Esq.
Mintz Levin
Clayton Jones, Treasurer
ClearTrail Capital
U.S. Army Veteran
Jonathan Sym
Evermedia Biometrics Corporation
U.S. Navy Reserve
Aaron Bates
AllianceBernstein
David Bizar, Esq.
Seyfarth Shaw, LLP
U.S. Army Veteran
Kristen Kuliga, Esq.
K Sports & Entertainment, LLC
CAPT Mary Jo Majors
South Cove Community Health
Center
Nurse Corps, U.S. Navy Reserve (RET.)
Brian McLaughlin, Jr., Esq.
Law Offices of Brian McLaughlin
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Rosemary Allen, Esq.
Mintz Levin (Retired)
Event Committee Member
Dominic Amenta
DPA Communications
Event Committee Member
Abby Porosky
AMM Team
Event Committee Member
James P. Whitters, III, Esq.
The Alkalol Corporation
Fundraising Committee Member
Wendy Silverman, Esq.
President 2008-2011
State Street Bank & Trust Co.
Veterans Legal Services
885 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02459
Special thanks to our print sponsor:
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