Annual ABE grant program supports 15 ‘boots-on-the-ground projects
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Survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking. Residents at risk of losing their homes. Immigrants and asylum-seekers who rely on legal representation. All three of these groups are among those supported by the American Bar Endowment’s Opportunity Grant Program, which announced Monday that it will provide more than $275,000 to 15 “new, innovative, boots-on-the-ground projects that address the urgent legal needs of underserved communities.
“Even a modest grant can accomplish so much and truly advance an organization’s work, often serving as the first funding to launch a critical initiative,” Carolyn B. Lamm, president of the not-for-profit public charity, said in a news release. “With our funding, the ABE meets its mission to help meet the need for legal services and supports.”
Justice Orgs Ask Tennessee Supreme Court for Urgent Action to Reduce Jail Populations As COVID-19 surges, jails in 23 of Tennesseeâs 95 counties are operating at or above capacity Tweet Share
Citing COVID-19âs winter surge and overcrowded jails around the state, a coalition of criminal justice advocacy organizations is asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to take more urgent action to reduce jail populations in the state.
The group of organizations, including former Metro Public Defender Dawn Deanerâs Choosing Justice Initiative and Memphis-based Just City, sought the mass release of people jailed for misdemeanors and prisoners older than 50 in March. That request was denied. The high court did release an order in March directing local judges to make plans for reducing local jail populations, but in a motion filed Tuesday the coalition says that effort must be updated and strengthened.