Announcing MAP's New Executive Director

Michigan Advocacy Program’s Board of Directors is excited to announce that, following a national search, we have chosen long-time MAP staff member Shannon Lucas as our next Executive Director. Shannon will take over as Executive Director from Ann Routt, who is retiring after nearly 40 years of service. Shannon’s tenure will begin on July 1, 2024.

In her role as Executive Director, Shannon will work with the Board, staff, and community partners to understand the needs of our communities and promote high-quality legal services and advocacy in all of MAP’s programs. She will continue the important work of moving MAP toward the goals outlined in its comprehensive strategic plan, ensuring that the program’s work continues to align with its intended impact and theory of change. In all of her work, she will strive to help MAP achieve its mission of advancing the safety, independence, and economic stability of those most affected by poverty, racism, and other structurally oppressive systems by increasing access to justice and working for systemic solutions.

“After nearly 25 years at MAP, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this incredible program,” Lucas said. “I’m looking forward to working within our communities to continue to respond to emerging needs, grow our impact, and build on the important strides we have made in recent years. I truly believe in the transformative nature of this work, and the ability of this organization to make real change for low-income individuals and families across Michigan.”

“We are honored to welcome Shannon as MAP’s Executive Director,” said Delphia Simpson, Chair of MAP’s Board of Directors. In a time of immense change, she has the vision, experience, and skills necessary to lead the organization as we move into our next chapter. Over my years working with Shannon, I have seen her dedication to this work and the communities we serve, and I am delighted to partner with her in this new role.”

“It was with great difficulty that I made the decision to retire from an organization that means so much to me,” said Ann Routt, current Executive Director of MAP. “With Shannon taking the helm, I feel confident that MAP will continue building on the important strategic and substantive work that we have been doing over the past several years. Shannon has been a wonderful colleague and will make an outstanding leader.”

Shannon has been MAP’s Director of Advocacy since 2018, leading strategic planning, policy development, and advocacy for MAP’s Legal Services Corporation-funded offices. Shannon has been integral to many important projects and initiatives, including the creation and maintenance of a new office focused on unemployment and expungement advocacy, the building of MAP’s pro bono program, and the establishment of Eviction Diversion Programs across South Central Michigan.

Prior to becoming Director of Advocacy, Shannon served as the Managing Attorney for the Monroe field office of Legal Services of South Central Michigan for 18 years, serving Monroe and Lenawee Counties. She started her legal career as a Staff Attorney at the Legal Aid Bureau of Southern Michigan, now Legal Aid of Western Michigan.

Shannon has presented on issues of advocacy and management at numerous national and regional conferences, including with the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, Management and Information Exchange, the Committee on Regional Training, and the Michigan Poverty Law Program. She is a member of the State Planning Body, the Legal Services Association of Michigan, the NLADA Litigation Leaders Training Committee, and the Michigan Unemployment Modernization Taskforce. In addition, she is past Board President and current Board Member of Catherine Cobb Safe House in Lenawee County.

Lorray Brown will continue as the sole Executive Director of Michigan State Advocacy Services (MSAS). Lorray has worn many hats in her time here, but will now be transitioning her other responsibilities to focus on her MSAS leadership. MAP will soon be posting opportunities for a Director and a Consumer Law attorney at the Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) to take on these responsibilities and work with the MPLP team to provide state support across Michigan.

Please join us in welcoming Shannon to her new role, and thanking Ann for all her years of dedication to MAP. Ann has put an indelible mark on this organization throughout her decades here, and we look forward to celebrating her tenure with her over the coming month.

MAP Updates

MEJI's Karrie Craig and CVLAP's Emily Miller attend the National Aging and Law Conference in Miami

Last month, MEJI Long-Term Care Ombudsman Karrie Craig and CVLAP Managing Attorney Emily Miller attended the National Aging and Law Conference in Miami, delivering several presentations on issues affecting older adults.

LSSCM attorneys Anna and Andy host a table at Cinco de Mayo event

LSSCM Battle Creek attorneys Anna and Andy hosted a table with material in both English and Spanish at a Cinco de Mayo event presented by Voces.

MEJI's Alison Hirschel speaks at MHEF Healthy Aging Grant Convening

Michigan Elder Justice Initiative's Alison Hirschel attended April's Michigan Health Endowment Fund Healthy Aging Grant Convening, where she spoke on the "Pathways to Sustainability" panel to discuss continuing the impact of funding after a grant ends.

MAP and MIRC attend MIE National Conference for Legal Aid Managers

Several staff across MAP programs attended Management and Information Exchange's National Conference for Legal Aid Managers in Baltimore in April. MAP's Director of Advocacy and incoming Executive Director and MIRC Managing Attorney Ana Devereaux presented on Responding to Complex and Varied Staff Needs within a Team, and our MAP team had a great time getting to know each other and learning from other programs across the country.

CVLAP and MLTCOP attend Macomb County Elder Justice Alliance event

In April, CVLAP and MLTCOP attended the Macomb County Elder Justice Alliance’s Combating Elder Abuse event, which focused on State and Countywide initiatives to use multidisciplinary teams to combat elder abuse and support older Michiganders. Attorney General Dana Nessel reviewed and provided an update regarding the various initiatives taken by her Elder Abuse Task Force and participants discussed the local work by the MCEJA in preventing elder abuse.

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Resources and Events

Please help us spread the word about these upcoming community events and resources!

Seeking Volunteer Attorneys for New Ingham County Family Law Assistance Clinics

The Ingham County Family Law Assistance Clinic takes place at the 30th Circuit Court on the last Wednesday of every month through August from 1-4 PM

We are seeking volunteer attorneys to provide brief advice in family law matters at our new Family Law Assistance Clinic in Ingham County.

2024 Washtenaw Family Law Assistance Clinics

The Washtenaw Family Law Assistance Clinic takes place at the 22nd Circuit Court on the last Wednesday of every month from 12-3 PM

Join us for free legal advice for low-income, unrepresented individuals on issues such as divorce, child custody, personal protection orders (PPO), and more.

Clinic is first-come, first-served until full.

Find more information here

Community News

COVID-era funding that's prevented thousands of evictions is set to expire. What happens next?

MAP was featured in an article by Michigan Advance detailing the impact of CERA funding, which has prevented thousands of Michigan residents from being evicted over the past several years. The potential loss of this funding at the end of this year will be devastating for tenants across Michigan.

Pandemic legal aid funding to end for Michigan renters

"People underestimate the importance of housing and the impact that keeping people housed plays. Programs like this are important so that more people stay housed,” LSSCM Staff Attorney Billie DeShone, tells WILX News 10 regarding the need for legal aid to prevent evictions.

Program that has prevented thousands of evictions in Michigan is running out of money

"When people don't have access to an attorney and don't have access to help, sometimes they just give up," MAP Director of Advocacy Shannon Lucas tells The Detroit Free Press on what the impending end of COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) funding would mean for families facing eviction.

Michigan ombudsman program advocates for residents in long-term care facilities

Michigan Elder Justice Initiative and the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program are featured in a Flintside article discussing our critical work advocating for the rights of residents of long-term care facilities in Michigan. State Long Term Care Ombudsman Salli Pung talks about how ombudsmen across the state "have committed themselves to make a difference in people's lives."

Special report: How can Michigan fix a guardianship system that fails some kids and older adults?

Michigan Elder Justice Initiative's Michigan Guardianship Diversion Project, which works to connect older adults and people with disabilities to less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, is featured in Second Wave Media.

MEJI's Laura Kubit on the Project: "We can try to craft solutions that hopefully work for everyone and really make a difference. When you know the inner workings of that system, you can advocate in a way that will be most effective."

Spotlight: Michigan's Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project (CVLAP)

MAP was featured in Justice in Aging, highlighting MAP's Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project (CVLAP) and its work with older adults facing guardianships.

On her advice to other organizations hoping to do this work, Managing Attorney Emily Miller: "Changing hearts, minds, and habits is hard work and requires fierce advocacy, gentle persuasion, litigation, and education. The cases can be challenging, but the wins are immense for the clients who retain or regain their autonomy and, over time, it starts to feel like systemic reform."

The Impact of LSC's Pro Bono Innovation Fund Grants

Shannon Lucas, MAP Pro Bono Manager Sarah Munro, and MAP Pro Bono Administrator Caroline Laman were featured in Management Information Exchange's Winter Journal. The pro bono team sat down with Shannon to discuss the work of the grant, their successes, and how this funding created more opportunity to grow the pro bono program.

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MAP includes Legal Services of South Central Michigan with five offices in south and central Michigan serving 13 counties and Farmworker Legal Services serving agricultural workers statewide. MAP also provides administrative services to five statewide specialty programs, known collectively as MSAS. These include the Michigan Poverty Law Program, Michigan Elder Justice Initiative, Crime Victims Legal Assistance Program, Michigan Legal Help Program, and Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. The Legal Services Corporation only supports the activities of the MAP programs, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, and Farmworker Legal Services.