About MLRI and Acknowledgements

About MLRI

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) provides statewide advocacy and leadership in advancing laws, policies, and practices that secure economic, racial, and social justice for low-income people and communities. MLRI furthers its mission through impact litigation, policy advocacy, coalition building, community lawyering, and public information. In addition, it serves as the poverty law support center for the Massachusetts civil legal aid and advocacy community, providing expertise and support to local legal aid programs, social service, health care and human service providers, and community organizations that serve low-income people throughout the state. Find us online at www.mlri.org.

Acknowledgments

MLRI dedicates this Emergency Assistance (EA) Advocacy Guide to the low-income children and their families for whom it was written, who inspire us through their courage and resilience, and to all our community partners who work alongside legal aid to achieve housing justice.

MLRI also thanks Ruth Bourquin, former MLRI staff attorney of 22 years, who was the original author of this publication.

The 2023 edition of this Guide was updated by Andrea M. Park and Iris Coloma-Gaines of MLRI, Kelly Turley of Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Catherine Ady-Bell of the Central West Justice Center, and Elizabeth Alfred and Talya Guenzburger of Greater Boston Legal Services.

October 2023