Summer Better Than Others

In Memoriam

It is with great sadness that we inform you Tim Lee, longtime VLP board member and staunch advocate for folks battling mental illness, passed away the morning of July 11.

We received several messages from those lucky enough to work with Tim, and the words “kind” and “thoughtful” showed up in every single one. Tim led his life with wisdom, consideration, and patience.

To quote one of Tim’s colleagues:

“I was always impressed with Tim’s…commitment to helping people that society has turned its back on. He was a true champion for the unfortunate.”

In Tim’s memory, let us continue our work and let us never forget to stay kind and thoughtful.

Click here to read Tim's full obituary and learn how you can support his family.

Your Volunteer Impact

Since our last newsletter...

Over 1,300 volunteer hours were spent on cases, more than 400 clients received help, and $330,000+ was returned to our clients in the forms of resolved debt, unemployment benefits, and withheld wages!

This wouldn't be possible without the help of volunteers like you! If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to

Pro Bono Manager Emelia Andres

Volunteer Victories

Names of all clients and opposing parties have been changed for confidentiality purposes.

"I assisted Annie in obtaining a Rogers Guardianship over her son who just turned 18 and has significant disabilities. The Guardianship was necessary to protect her son's health and safety. It was a very satisfying experience to help her. She is a lovely person who faces significant challenges, and I am glad I was able to help her get the result she needed to protect her family."

- Volunteer Attorney Jessica Batsevitsky

"Like many, I lost my job this past year and struggled with unemployment payment issues, appeals, and hearings throughout the pandemic. I reached out for free legal help as I struggled through the appeals process alone and found help through the volunteers at VLP. With that help, I was able to make my case and receive the unemployment money I needed to help pay for school and bills."

- Client, Anonymous

Carol began working for a small school in September 2019, where she worked as a fundraiser. She fell ill and her doctor recommended she undergo surgery in January 2020 to help with her condition. Carol informed her supervisor, the school's Executive Director, that she would need to take time off for the surgery and recovery. Following that conversation, her supervisor scheduled an impromptu "mid-year evaluation," something Carol's role did not previously require. At that evaluation, Carol's supervisor complained about her performance for reasons Carol felt were either untrue or minor issues and Carol was let go without unemployment benefits shortly thereafter. Carol had been counting on unemployment benefits to provide financial security during recovery and the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

That's when Volunteer Attorney Matthew Bailey came in. Attorney Bailey took on Carol's case and helped her begin the appeals process so she could receive the life-changing funds she had earned. A review examiner with the Department of Unemployment Assistance heard Carol's case and eventually determined she was entitled to her unemployment benefits. Carol received approximately one year's worth of back unemployment compensation, and she continues to receive unemployment benefits to which she is entitled--all thanks to the hard work of volunteers like you and Attorney Bailey!

VLP Goes to DC

Executive Director Joanna Allison was invited to speak at the Biden Administration's Eviction Prevention Seminar on July 21. VLP was recognized at the national level for providing exceptional services to underserved communities and consistently improving pre-existing frameworks for those services.

To watch Joanna's segment, you can click the thumbnail below and the video will open in a new window, a few seconds before she starts speaking. You can also manually skip to Joanna's part at: 1 hour 46 minutes 36 seconds.

Second White House Eviction Prevention Convening

Senior Partners for Justice

If you've attended an event hosted by the Senior Partners for Justice, then I'm sure the name Arlene Bernstein is familiar--and for good reason.

In February, Arlene foresaw that we would remain remote for quite a while, and she wanted to ensure that a lack of technological experience wasn't keeping anyone from volunteering. She thus kicked off this year's Mentoring Chat series with a two-part training: The ABZ's of Zoom, where she helped train volunteers on how to use Zoom as both a participant and host.

Following this event's success, Arlene organized Mentoring Chats for many units of law--Consumer, Housing, Family, Unemployment, and more! These events were great opportunities for SPJ volunteers to ask questions and network, and several of the trainings included fantastic keynote speakers who provided even further expertise.

If you would like to view any of these recorded events, please reach out to Communications Coordinator Eddie Barlow.

To get more information about the Senior Partners for Justice, email

Pro Bono Manager Emelia Andres.

Thank you, Arlene, Judge Ginsburg, and all the fantastic volunteers at SPJ!

Mark Your Calendars

VLP's next New Volunteer Orientation is next week! If you'd like to brush up on VLP's volunteering procedures and FAQs, or if you know someone who wants to start volunteering, RSVP below.

New Volunteer Orientation

Monday, August 2nd

4 -5 PM on Zoom

RSVP here!

Join us on September 14 at 5PM as we celebrate our volunteers and honor our annual Denis Maguire and Gideon's Trumpet awardees!

Guest Speaker:

Kim Janey, Acting Mayor of Boston

Stay tuned for more details.

CELHP is on the Way

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our COVID Eviction Legal Help Project (CELHP) has been working hard to support small landlords of 2 to 3-family homes statewide. All our clients are low-income, and many are immigrants, elderly, and non-native English speakers. Here is a recent example of a client getting the legal aid they needed to continue maintaining their property.

Please note all names have been changed.

The tenant in Rachel's multifamily home had not paid rent for close to a year, leaving her with no choice but to file an eviction based on that nonpayment. However, on the day of the trial, Rachel and the CELHP volunteer attorney who took on her case entered into mediation with the opposing party, and they were able to reach an agreement! This agreement stipulated Rachel's tenant immediately apply for RAFT/financial assistance to cover the full rental arrearage and, as a result, no eviction was necessary.

"If I hadn't been represented," Rachel said, "all of this would have gone over my head. Who knows what the outcome may have been?"

While it is a particularly challenging time to be a small, low-income landlord in Massachusetts, our team is eager to continue supporting this oft-overlooked group. Thank you to all the volunteers who help us make success stories like this possible!