November News: Our post-election thoughts, Giving Tuesday match, and more

Election Reflection: We will meet the challenges ahead

Like many of you, after the election, we started to think about what the world will look like over the next four years. For us, the most urgent question is where we - as lawyers who battle inequality - will be most needed. And then: what strategies can be effective in our new reality? How should we prepare? Our full thoughts are on our website. Above all else we know that for the last 48 years we have evolved to respond to emerging needs, and we are strengthening our resolve to do the same for the years ahead. We welcome your thoughts, ideas and reflections -- you can reply to this email with any suggestions you may have.

#GivingTuesday 2016

#GivingTuesday, this year on November 29, is a call to action to celebrate and inspire effective charitable giving during the holiday season. Become a part of this social movement by making your donation to the Law Center on this day! This year your gift can have double the impact. A group of generous donors assembled a challenge grant that will match new or increased gifts. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter -- we'll be sharing our progress and sending shout-outs to our donors.

Helping Eastwick Neighbors Stop the Unwanted Sale of School


Pepper Middle School

Following massive school closures in 2013, Philadelphia's School Reform Commission (SRC) is working to sell shuttered school buildings to raise revenue. One such building is Pepper Middle School in the Eastwick neighborhood in Southwest Philadelphia. Our clients, Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition (EFNC), sent a letter to the SRC (signed by a number of local community leaders) asking it to halt the sale of Pepper and instead allow decisions about the future of the large campus to come from the community-based planning process that is already underway. Five days after EFNC sent the letter, the SRC halted the sale. This is yet another victory in our and Eastwick's efforts to make sure the community has a voice in planning processes.

Amicus Brief in Special Ed Case Before U.S. Supreme Court

The Law Center and its partners, Autism Legal Resource Center LLC, Kaye Scholer LLP, and Mayerson & Associates, filed an amicus brief on behalf of several disabilities rights organizations and public interest centers in a special education case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. At stake in this case is the standard under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for measuring whether a school has provided a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). This is the first time since 1982 that the Court will directly explore what level of educational benefit must be provided to students with disabilities under the IDEA. Courts around the country are split on the issue. Our brief addresses the disparate affect that low educational expectations have on children with disabilities of color and supports the Petitioner's push for a more robust standard.

Board Member of the Month: Tom Chapin

Tom Chapin, Chief Investment Officer at Mill Creek Capital Advisors, LLC, and Principal of the firm, is our board member of the month. Since joining the board in 2013, Tom has provided his expertise to help guide the Law Center in deciding how and when to invest its assets. Tom's leadership has been crucial in helping the Law Center remain on firm, stable footing. About some of his Law Center "favorites" he said, "What I've enjoyed most about my involvement is the broad exposure it has given me to a group of Philadelphia-area lawyers who are dedicated to furthering the Law Center's mission. My favorite moment: the Annual Event, at which individuals and organizations tell their stories of how their lives were improved thanks to the excellent work done by the Law Center's talented and dedicated staff." Help us congratulate Tom by liking our post on Facebook.

Law Center Welcomes Priscilla Jimenez to Board

We are pleased to welcome Priscilla Jimenez to our Board of Directors. Priscilla joins the board as an Ex Officio member from the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania. Priscilla is an attorney at Kline & Specter, P.C., and she is currently serving as president of the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania. Help us welcome Priscilla by liking our post on Facebook.

We also want to thank Veronica Torrejon of Pepper Hamilton LLP for her service as the prior Ex Officio member from the Hispanic Bar Association. Veronica will continue to volunteer her services to the Law Center by serving on the Communications Committee.