Sen. William Golden and Rep. Frank Hynes receive awards at an MLAC board meeting (December 1988). Jim Breslauer of Neighborhood Legal Services and Monica Halas of Greater Boston Legal Services. Former MLAC board members Jack Curtin, Michael Edgerton and Karen Ludington at MLAC’s 20th anniversary (May 2003). Bob Sable of Greater Boston Legal Services, Rep. Byron Rushing and legal aid client Melvin Fransisco at MLAC’s legislative recognition awards ceremony (2004). DAVID THOMAS When David was hospitalized for six weeks, he gave his friend access to his bank account to pay his rent, but his friend took his money, and David received an eviction notice. A legal aid attorney negotiated an affordable payment plan with David’s landlord and found a local charity willing to pay part of his overdue rent. Former MLAC staff member Sue Perry. MLAC Executive Director Lonnie Powers speaks at MLAC’s first statewide conference (June 1988). MLAC board chair Nancy Beecher and board member Jack Curtin, with the late Chief Justice Paul Liacos of the Supreme Judicial Court (May 1989). Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall of the Supreme Judicial Court and MLAC board member Peggy Santos at MLAC’s 20th anniversary (May 2003). Mary Waver of Greater Boston Legal Services. THE VYCE FAMILY When Jason Vyce lost his job, he could no longer pay rent. After red tape at the Department of Transitional Assistance delayed their admission to a shelter, a legal aid attorney navigated them through the process and helped place them in shelter. Former MLAC board chair Nancy Beecher with outgoing board chair Karen Ludington (May 1989). Former Western Massachusetts Legal Services Executive Director Andy Steinberg and IOLTA Executive Director Jayne Tyrrell. MLAC staff: Bruce Stone, Anita Leger, Barbara Callwood, Irene Demers and Lonnie Powers (1989). Massachusetts Legal Aid Programs: CENTRAL-WEST Massachusetts Justice Project Children waiting for their parents who are looking for housing at the offices of Legal Services for Cape Cod and Islands in Hyannis (1991). LINDA LONG When Linda’s Medicare plan refused to cover four of her prescription drugs, a legal aid attorney contacted her doctors and compiled a detailed medical history, which helped her file a successful appeal to have the plan approve ongoing coverage for her medication. MR. TURNER “Mr. Turner,” a victim of a second mortgage scam whose home was saved from foreclosure by Greater Boston Legal Services (1997). DEVONTAE Devontae suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, gastritis and several other ailments. His grandmother’s application for Social Security disability benefits for him was twice rejected until a legal aid attorney helped compile Devontae’s medical records and gain retroactive payments for him from his grandmother’s first application. Sen. Robert Travaglini receives an award from a domestic violence survivor at an event celebrating the expansion of the Battered Women’s Legal Assistance Project (October 1995). Megan Christopher of South Middlesex Legal Services at an Equal Justice Conference (1998). GLADYS DIXON With representation from Greater Boston Legal Services, Gladys finally began receiving much-needed federal disability benefits. A mother and child waiting in a legal aid program office. Equal Justice Coalition chair Steve Oleskey addresses the audience at the 8th Annual Walk to the Hill for Legal Aid (2007). Massachusetts Legal Aid Programs: NORTHEAST A car crashes through the Massachusetts Bar Association office. Rep. Anne Paulsen speaks at an event celebrating the expansion of the Battered Women’s Legal Assistance Project (November 1997). MARY MARCO When Mary couldn’t get into her new apartment, which was supposed to be wheelchair accessible, an attorney from South Middlesex Legal Services negotiated with her landlord, the local Housing Authority, to make modifications to accommodate her wheelchair. Clients at the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance in Worcester. John Brooks, lifelong champion of civil legal aid. Former MLAC staff member Maureen Ann O’Neill. Lucy Williams introducing the late Gary Bellow at MLAC’s statewide legal aid conference. PEDRO VASQUEZ After Pedro was told he owed the IRS nearly $5,000, a legal aid attorney discovered that Pedro’s manager had been cashing a second set of paychecks in Pedro’s name using forged signatures. With affidavits and proof of Pedro’s work hours, a judge ruled in favor of clearing Pedro’s IRS record. Donna Southwell, Elaine O’Reilly and Jen Wofford at an event celebrating the expansion of the Battered Women’s Legal Assistance Project (November 1997). Massachusetts Legal Aid Programs: EAST Former MLAC staff members Gene Koo and Dan Collis-Puro. Marilyn Lee-Tom, Jacquelynne Bowman, Senator Stanley Rosenberg, and Bob Sable at an event celebrating the expansion of the Battered Women’s Legal Assistance Project (November 1997). ANTONIA GARCIA Antonia’s landlord refused to fix her flooded apartment. Her legal aid attorney filed a lawsuit against the landlord and won, forcing him to fix the apartment and pay damages. Diana Mazola of Neighborhood Legal Services. MLAC’s first statewide conference for legal aid program board members (November 2007). Steve Oleskey, former chair of the Equal Justice Coalition and former MLAC board member, at an Equal Justice Conference (1998). Former Senator William Keating at a press conference for the Commission on Equal Justice (1996). Sen. Marian Walsh, Sen. Andrea Nuciforo, Jr., Rep. Charles Murphy, and Rep. Robert DeLeo receive recognition awards from MLAC. IN MEMORIAM Nancy King Executive Director South Middlesex Legal Services MLAC board member Peggy Santos (1999). Governor Paul Cellucci with Lonnie Powers, Gene Dahmen and two domestic violence survivors (October 1995). Equal Justice Coalition Director Pattye Comfort. Former Community Legal Services And Counseling Center Executive Director Leslee Klein and Greater Boston Legal Services Executive Director Bob Sable. Allan Rodgers, executive director of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, in his office. MARIE NOAILLES When Marie’s landlord continually failed to make repairs to her apartment, leaving it without heat or hot water, an SCCLS attorney helped her receive a court order requiring the landlord to make repairs. Angelina Costa of South Coastal Counties Legal Services. Myra Hindus, former director of the Massachusetts Legal Services Diversity Coalition. Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Francis X. Spina, Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, Lonnie Powers, Associate Justice John M. Greaney and former Chief Justice Herbert P. Wilkins at MLAC’s 20th anniversary (May 2003). MLAC Program Director Pat Swansey (November 1997). Massachusetts Legal Aid Programs: STATEWIDE Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services Peggy Santos, Donna Daley, Gloria Piner, Associate Justice Roderick L. Ireland of the Supreme Judicial Court, David Pearson, Myrnairis Cepeda and the late Eileen Ryan. Sen. Marian Walsh hugs legal aid client Mary Daley at MLAC’s legislative recognition awards ceremony in 2005. Senate President Robert Travaglini poses with the Saravia family, legal aid clients, at an MLAC legislative recognition awards ceremony. John Ford, attorney at Neighborhood Legal Services. ADMILSON MIRANDA Admilson’s high school told him not to return for his senior year because he was too old. An attorney at South Coastal Counties Legal Services discovered the school had no clear age guidelines and negotiated with the school to pay for night classes for Admilson. Senate President Robert Travaglini listens to a legal aid client at Greater Boston Legal Services’ Client Lobby Day (2005). Rep. Frank Smizik and friends at MLAC’s first statewide conference (June 1988). Bob Hobbs, attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. Ken Vacovec speaking at a press conference for the Commission on Equal Justice (1996). Massachusetts Legal Aid Programs: STATEWIDE MARY DALEY When Mary’s landlord passed away, the family member inheriting the apartment wanted to evict Mary, and tripled the rent. A legal aid attorney helped Mary negotiate with the landlord and move into a subsidized elder housing development. Survivors of domestic violence at the State House (October 1995). Past MLAC board chair Nancy Beecher and client board member Patricia Ford. MLAC Staff: Lonnie Powers, Karen Green, James Crawford, Sharon Rancourt, Barbara Callwood, Bruce Stone and Sandy Wu (1995). Rep. David Cohen receives an award from a domestic violence survivor at an event celebrating the expansion of the Battered Women’s Legal Assistance Project (October 1995). OTTILIE NOWIKOW When Ottilie’s new landlord tripled her rent and wanted to evict her, a GBLS attorney was able to have the eviction dismissed and negotiated an agreement to keep the rent at its original level until Ottilie could move in with her daughter. Lonnie Powers and Equal Justice Coalition chair Julia Huston present Senate President Therese Murray with a Beacon of Justice Award. ALLISON After Allison was beaten by her husband when she dropped her daughter off for court visitation, a legal aid attorney helped her obtain custody of her daughter, safe visitation arrangements and child support payments. IN MEMORIAM Eileen Ryan Client Board Member Neighborhood Legal Services Massachusetts Legal Services Client Council Steering Committee Secretary Access to Justice Commission Massachusetts Legal Aid Programs: SOUTHEAST Client board members Latasha Gorman and Juanita McKoy at a legal aid board training event. Jay McManus, executive director of The Children's Law Center Of Massachusetts, Mike Alexander, executive director of South Coastal Counties Legal Services, and longtime legal aid consultant the late U.T. Saunders at MLAC’s 20th anniversary (May 2003). Kip Tiernan, founder of Rosie’s Place, at MLAC’s first statewide conference (June 1988). HONG NGUYEN When Hong’s landlord refused to fix serious property damage to her apartment and eventually sent an eviction notice, an attorney from South Middlesex Legal Services documented the living conditions, helped Hong agree to a settlement with the landlord and helped her find a new apartment. MLAC and IOLTA Staff: Erica Horowitz, Steve Casey, Sue Perry, Sharon Rancourt, Barbara Callwood, Lonnie Powers, Bruce Stone, Jayne Tyrrell and Art McLeod (1993). The late Chief Justice Edward F. Hennessey of the Supreme Judicial Court speaking at a press conference for the Commission on Equal Justice (1996). Former Communications Assistant Sarah Peck and Operations Manager Danielle Hines. Greater Boston Legal Services Executive Director Bob Sable. MLAC Executive Director Lonnie Powers.