2023-11-10T08:29:55-06:00 2022-12-31 131459550 MAZARS USA LLP 135 WEST 50TH STREET NEW YORK NY 100200002 990 2022-01-01 113155182 ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN INC ACCE 7186245446 44 COURT STREET 1206 BROOKLYN NY 11201 SCOTTYE LINDSEY TREASURER 7186245446 2023-11-10 1 SCOTTYE LINDSEY 999009999 0 TAMAR PLOTZKER P02047230 2128127000 2 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z HEIDI LEE HENDERSON 44 COURT STREET 1206 BROOKLYN NY 11201 2443072 0 1 X WWW.ACCESSJUSTICEBROOKLYN.ORG X 1990 NY WE PROVIDE BROOKLYN RESIDENTS WITH CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO HELP ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM. 23 22 15 250 0 0 1815405 1741066 0 0 134116 81955 -27501 -110045 1922020 1712976 1000 1000 0 0 1214348 1433798 0 0 501909 603420 637939 1818768 2072737 103252 -359761 2301502 2206739 75044 541357 2226458 1665382 X SEE SCHEDULE O 0 0 350218 CONSUMER DEBT PROGRAM: IN THE PAST YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HANDLED 3,257 CONSUMER DEBT CASES, ASSISTING APPROXIMATELY 7,286 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN OPERATES TWO PROGRAMS IN KINGS COUNTY CIVIL COURT TO ASSIST UNREPRESENTED CONSUMER CREDIT LITIGANTS. THE CIVIL LEGAL ADVICE AND RESOURCE OFFICE (CLARO) PROGRAM IS A FREE WEEKLY CLINIC WHICH GIVES LITIGANTS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DEBT COLLECTION AND THEIR OPTIONS FOR DEFENSE, REPRESENTING A CRITICAL RESOURCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT COUNSEL. THROUGH THE VOLUNTEER LAWYER FOR A DAY (VLFD) ACCESS TO JUSTICE PROGRAM, AN ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN ATTORNEY IS PRESENT FOUR DAYS PER WEEK IN KINGS COUNTY CIVIL COURT AND WORKS WITH PRO BONO VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS, LAW GRADUATES, AND LAW STUDENTS TO PROVIDE LIMITED SCOPE REPRESENTATION TO UNREPRESENTED LITIGANTS ON THE DATE OF THEIR COURT APPEARANCE, INCLUDING CLIENTS REFERRED BY OUR CLARO PROGRAM, TO HELP REDUCE OR DISMISS THEIR DEBT OR OBTAIN AN ADJOURNMENT. FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO DISCHARGE DEBT AND REORDER THEIR FINANCES, WE PREPARE BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS AND OFFER REPRESENTATION IN CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS. 294183 FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM: IN THE PAST YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HANDLED 394 FAMILY LAW CASES, ASSISTING APPROXIMATELY 780 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN WORKS TO STABILIZE BROOKLYN FAMILIES BY HELPING TO RESOLVE DISPUTES IN FAMILY COURT RELATED TO CUSTODY, VISITATION, AND CHILD AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT FOR BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS TO ENSURE FAIRNESS AND EQUITY IN SUPPORT ORDERS ISSUED BY THE KINGS COUNTY FAMILY COURT. WE ALSO HAVE A ROBUST PRO SE UNCONTESTED DIVORCE PROGRAM THROUGH WHICH WE DRAFT DIVORCE PLEADINGS FOR CLIENTS SEEKING LEGAL SEPARATION FROM A PARTNER. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION IN ARTICLE 17A GUARDIANSHIP MATTERS TO DESIGNATE TRUSTED FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS TO ACT ON BEHALF OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OVER AGE 18 AND LIVING WITH INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. WE ALSO HOLD CLINICS WHERE CLIENTS CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR PRO SE ASSISTANCE RELATED TO UNCONTESTED DIVORCE AS WELL AS ARTICLE 17A GUARDIANSHIP MATTERS. 574358 HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: IN THE PAST YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HANDLED 498 FORECLOSURE MATTERS, DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS VIOLATIONS, AND OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING BROOKLYN HOMEOWNERS, ASSISTING APPROXIMATELY 1,415 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN'S SERVICES TO HOMEOWNERS ENCOMPASS A RANGE OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDE FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION, ASSISTANCE WITH DEED THEFT AND OTHER SCAMS, AND REPRESENTATION IN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS THAT CONCERN DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS (DOB) VIOLATIONS. FOR HOMEOWNERS AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES DUE TO FORECLOSURE, WE PROVIDE ADVICE, BRIEF SERVICES, AND FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION INCLUDING FORECLOSURE MOTION PRACTICE, BAD FAITH HEARINGS, FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LITIGATION, PREPARING AND NEGOTIATING LOAN MODIFICATIONS, AND ATTENDING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES. WE ALSO PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS AND LEGAL CLINICS, SUCH AS THE FLAG CLINIC WHERE WE PROVIDE INFORMATION, ADVICE, AND BRIEF LEGAL SERVICES TO HOMEOWNERS WHO HAVE ATTENDED PRE-SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES; THE FRIEND OF THE COURT PROGRAMS FOR EMERGENCY, LIMITED SCOPE REPRESENTATION IN FORECLOSURE CASES; AND OTHER CLINICS FOR HOMEOWNERS APPEARING IN KINGS COUNTY SUPREME COURT. IN ADDITION, WE ASSIST HOMEOWNERS WITH DOB VIOLATIONS BY PROVIDING LIMITED SCOPE, DAY-OF REPRESENTATION BEFORE THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE TRIALS AND HEARINGS (OATH), HELPING REDUCE OR DISMISS FINES AND PREVENTING LIENS THAT CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF FORECLOSURE. 182113 1000 SENIOR ASSISTANCE, IMMIGRATION, AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS; LEGAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH; CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (CLE) 182113 1000 1400872 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 0 1 15 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 23 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 NY X X HEIDI LEE HENDERSON 7186245446 44 COURT STREET 1206 BROOKLYN NY 11201 LYNN E JUDELL CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 LAWRENCE Z DIGIOVANNA VICE CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 SCOTTYE LINDSEY TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 STEPHEN Z WILLIAMSON SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 DANIEL ANGEL BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELENA BONIFACIO BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LISA J BRAUN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 CAROLINE CONWAY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH DANK BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRIAN FYRD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JEFFREY GEWIRTZ BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ADAM B GILBERT BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 SEAN MIKALA GRAY BOARD MEMBER (THROUGH 3/22) 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALEXANDER KAPLAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 COLIN KELLY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARK LANDE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL WILLIAM LEAHY BOARD MEMBER (THROUGH 1/22) 1.00 X 0 0 0 SAMUEL O MADUEGBUNA BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 THANYA POLONIO-JONES BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LEE POPKIN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LYDIA KEANEY REYNOLDS BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ADAM KEITH SHEPHERD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL WATSON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 STEVEN L ZELKOWITZ BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 HEIDI LEE HENDERSON ESQ PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00 X X 177892 0 12606 MELISSA STARR SR DIR OF DEV/STRATEGIC INITIATIVES 40.00 X 151944 0 15703 SIDNEY CHERUBIN DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES 40.00 X 124812 0 18202 TERESA DALY DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL GIVING 40.00 X 110000 0 10803 ANNE O'GRADY PRO BONO DIRECTOR 40.00 X 107513 0 4308 672161 0 61622 5 0 1 0 0 468416 1059437 213213 1741066 18223 18223 622358 558626 63732 63732 63732 61425 468416 171470 -110045 -110045 1712976 0 0 -28090 1000 1000 187648 125724 15012 46912 1032972 692091 82638 258243 31021 20784 2482 7755 90569 60682 7246 22641 91588 61364 7327 22897 107767 72203 8622 26942 9346 9346 35808 23991 2865 8952 84039 56211 6743 21085 57445 38488 4596 14361 210591 141102 16846 52643 51059 34209 4085 12765 9786 6556 783 2447 PROGRAM EXPENSES 50636 50636 RECRUITMENT & RECOGNITI 17062 11431 1365 4266 BAD DEBTS 4400 4400 2072737 1400872 169956 501909 333894 337550 399301 113631 392494 434660 26672 31565 380236 292279 123367 87957 994362 800111 31412 401265 2301502 2206739 41402 70815 26033 90000 7609 380542 75044 541357 X 1926958 1497495 299500 167887 2226458 1665382 2301502 2206739 -359761 -201315 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1366547 1402605 1629154 1815405 1741066 7954777 1366547 1402605 1629154 1815405 1741066 7954777 102258 7852519 24519 19010 20810 17406 18223 99968 44072 110518 5478 10847 61425 232340 8287085 0.94760 0.95060 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 42667 -6963 1000 34704 38607 5060 1000 42667 34929 4178 500 38607 29575 5854 500 34929 30262 -187 500 29575 0.68500 0.31500 0 0 133256 129026 4230 246980 163253 83727 87957 SECURITY DEPOSIT 31412 RIGHT OF USE ASSET 369853 401265 LEASE LIABILITY 380542 380542 4043355 -201315 2541040 2339725 1703630 9346 9346 1712976 4604431 2541040 2541040 2063391 9346 9346 2072737 PART V, LINE 4: THE FUND WILL AWARD AN ANNUAL GRANT TO AN ATTORNEY WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED OUTSTANDING PRO BONO COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE BROOKLYN COMMUNITY. ANNUAL GALA 529841 468416 61425 106107 43286 22077 529841 468416 61425 106107 43286 22077 171470 -110045 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 HEIDI LEE HENDERSON ESQ PRESIDENT & CEO 177892 0 0 0 0 0 7115 0 5491 0 190498 0 0 0 MELISSA STARR SR DIR OF DEV/STRATEGIC INITIATIVES 151944 0 0 0 0 0 4558 0 11145 0 167647 0 0 0 PART III, LINE 1 FOUNDED IN 1990, ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN IS AN INDEPENDENT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY, PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. USING THE COLLECTIVE TALENTS OF OUR DEDICATED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, WE HELP ENSURE A MORE ACCESSIBLE LEGAL SYSTEM AND EQUITABLE BROOKLYN. OUR APPROACH PRIORITIZES THE MOST BASIC, ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS AND EXPERIENCES OF HUMAN LIFE, INCLUDING HOUSING, FAMILY STABILITY, AND SUBSISTENCE INCOME. WE WORK TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION OF A MORE EQUITABLE BOROUGH THROUGH OUR PROVEN PRO BONO MODEL, WHICH ALLOWS THE ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES EFFICIENTLY AND AT SCALE BY RECRUITING, TRAINING, AND MENTORING COMPASSIONATE PRO BONO VOLUNTEERS WHO JOIN OUR STAFF IN PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES TO THE BROOKLYN COMMUNITY. ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN SERVES BROOKLYN RESIDENTS, BOROUGH-WIDE, WHO ARE LOW-INCOME AND NEED HELP WITH CIVIL LEGAL ISSUES IN ANY OF OUR PRACTICE AREAS INCLUDING ADVANCED LIFE PLANNING AND SENIOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE; FAMILY STABILIZATION MATTERS, SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT, AND UNCONTESTED DIVORCE; HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION; CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY AND CONSUMER DEBT LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY; AND IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION. TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS, WE PROVIDE ADVICE AND COUNSEL, BRIEF SERVICES, AND FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION, AS APPLICABLE, AS WELL AS REFERRALS FOR LEGAL NEEDS OUTSIDE OUR SCOPE OF SERVICES. CORE TO OUR APPROACH IS OUR PIONEERING PRO BONO MODEL, WHICH ENGAGES PRIVATE ATTORNEYS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT ALLOWING US TO SERVE FAR MORE PEOPLE THAN WE COULD ALONE. DURING THE PAST YEAR, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF PRO BONO ATTORNEYS AND LAW STUDENTS, ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN PROVIDED DIRECT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES IN 4,196 MATTERS AFFECTING 9,543 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. WE ALSO PROVIDED PRO SE ASSISTANCE TO A TOTAL OF 287 BROOKLYN RESIDENTS, HELPING THEM BETTER REPRESENT THEMSELVES IN THEIR LEGAL MATTERS, AND REACHED 610 PEOPLE THROUGH COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE BOROUGH. FOR PEOPLE SEEKING HELP WITH ISSUES OUTSIDE OF OUR SCOPE OF SERVICES, WE PROVIDED 1,770 INDIVIDUALS WITH REFERRALS FOR OTHER LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS. CENTRAL TO OUR MISSION AND ESSENTIAL TO OUR SERVICE MODEL, ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN RECRUITS, TRAINS AND ACTIVELY SUPERVISES VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND LAW STUDENTS TO PROVIDE PRO BONO REPRESENTATION, ADVICE, BRIEF LEGAL SERVICES AT COURTHOUSE CLINICS AND IN-OFFICE CLINICS, DAILY ADVICE AND COUNSEL, AND COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS. IN THE LAST YEAR WE DEEPENED OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH PRIVATE LAW FIRMS, IN-HOUSE COUNSEL, AND LAW SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE PRO BONO ASSISTANCE TO OUR CLIENTS, ENGAGING A TOTAL OF 204 PRO BONO ATTORNEYS, LAW STUDENTS, AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDED 5,524 HOURS OF DIRECT LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BROOKLYN COMMUNITY. ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN ALSO HELPED OUR CLIENTS OBTAIN CRITICAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND AVOID FEES AND OTHER DEBTS, INCREASING THEIR OVERALL FINANCIAL STABILITY. AS A RESULT OF OUR ADVOCACY, OUR CLIENTS OBTAINED $158,914 IN CHILD SUPPORT ARREARS AND $9,501 IN MONTHLY CHILD AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT BENEFITS (OR $114,011 ANNUALLY). WE HELPED CLIENTS SAVE OR RECOVER $16,305 THROUGH SETTLEMENTS IN FORECLOSURE ACTIONS; $342,508 THROUGH BANKRUPTCY; $2,232,341 THROUGH AVOIDANCE, REDUCTION, OR RECOVERY IN CONSUMER DEBT MATTERS; AND $153,750 IN AVOIDED OR REDUCED DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS FINES AND PENALTIES THROUGH REPRESENTATION BEFORE THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE TRIALS AND HEARINGS. WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO SAVE CLIENTS $11,365 IN COURT FILING FEES BY OBTAINING FEE WAIVERS IN BANKRUPTCY AND DIVORCE CASES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE ORGANIZATION'S AUDIT COMMITTEE AND PRESIDENT/CEO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE FORM 990. IT IS THEN SENT TO THE ENTIRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR REVIEW PRIOR TO SUBMISSION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE AUDIT COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. EACH BOARD MEMBER AND OFFICER MUST REPORT ANY CONFLICTS TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, AND BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS MUST COMPLETE AN ANNUAL DISCLOSURE QUESTIONNAIRE TO LIST ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE QUESTIONNAIRES AND MONITORS ANY CONFLICTS THAT MAY ARISE AND INVESTIGATES PURSUANT TO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE PRESIDENT & CEO'S COMPENSATION WAS DETERMINED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, USING INFORMATION FROM 990S OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS COMPENSATION SURVEYS, AND THEN DOCUMENTED APPROPRIATELY. ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE BOARD APPROVES COMPENSATION INCREASES AS PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGETING PROCESS. THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES IS SET BY THE PRESIDENT & CEO USING SALARY SURVEYS AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND INCLUDES THE USE OF AN HR/COMPENSATION PROFESSIONAL. THE PRESIDENT & CEO THEN MAKES THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD AS PART OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS THEN THE BOARD APPROVES THEM AS PART OF THE BUDGET. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 WE WILL PROVIDE DOCUMENTS ON REQUEST AT THE OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION.