2025-11-12T12:13:30-06:00 2024-12-31 131655065 LUTZ AND CARR CPAS LLP 551 FIFTH AVENUE SUITE 400 NEW YORK NY 10176 990 2024-01-01 113155182 ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN INC ACCE 7184739209 203 JAY STREET SUITE 300 BROOKLYN NY 11201 LISA BRAUN TREASURER 7184739209 2025-11-11 1 1 JENNIFER COATES P02247728 2126972299 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z MELISSA STARR 203 JAY STREET SUITE 300 BROOKLYN NY 11201 3446618 0 X WWW.ACCESSJUSTICEBROOKLYN.ORG X 1990 NY WE HELP ENSURE A MORE ACCESSIBLE LEGAL SYSTEM AND EQUITABLE BROOKLYN. 19 18 18 264 0 0 2073412 2181812 0 0 75524 124579 6281 1938 2155217 2308329 1000 1000 0 0 1636727 1823645 0 0 482806 617651 623665 2255378 2448310 -100161 -139981 1952763 1592344 371335 186629 1581428 1405715 X SEE SCHEDULE O 0 0 517910 ECONOMIC SECURITY: IN THE PAST YEAR AJB HANDLED 4,657 CONSUMER DEBT AND BANKRUPTCY MATTERS, BENEFITING 10,370 PEOPLE. AJB'S ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES CONSUMER ADVOCACY SERVICES - OPERATED THROUGH TWO COURT-BASED PROGRAMS IN KINGS COUNTY CIVIL COURT - AND ITS BANKRUPTCY PRACTICE, THROUGH WHICH THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO REORDER THEIR FINANCES THROUGH CHAPTER 7 OR CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY. THESE COURT-BASED PROGRAMS, THE CIVIL LEGAL ADVICE AND RESOURCE OFFICE (CLARO) CLINIC AND THE VOLUNTEER LAWYER FOR A DAY (VLFD) PROGRAM, ALLOW AJB TO ADDRESS THE SEVERE REPRESENTATION GAP IN CONSUMER CREDIT CASES, WHERE THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF CONSUMER DEFENDANTS APPEAR WITHOUT COUNSEL. AJB STAFF MANAGE THESE PROGRAMS WITH THE SUPPORT OF LAW STUDENTS AND DEDICATED PRO BONO ATTORNEYS WHO ARE LONG-TIME VOLUNTEERS WITH THESE PROGRAMS. LAST YEAR, AJB ALSO LAUNCHED A FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM TO COMPLEMENT ITS EXISTING SERVICES FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC SECURITY AND TO BETTER SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH CONSUMER OR MORTGAGE-RELATED DEBT. 396250 HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: IN THE PAST YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HANDLED 516 FORECLOSURE MATTERS, DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS VIOLATIONS, AND OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING BROOKLYN HOMEOWNERS, BENEFITING NEARLY 1,400 PEOPLE. 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. AJB STAFFS SEVERAL COURT-BASED PROGRAMS FOR HOMEOWNERS APPEARING IN KINGS COUNTY SUPREME COURT AND OFFERS REPRESENTATION THROUGH THE ENTIRE FORECLOSURE PROCESS, INCLUDING LOAN MODIFICATIONS, FORECLOSURE MOTION PRACTICE, GOOD FAITH HEARINGS, FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LITIGATION, AND SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES. IN ADDITION TO SUPPORT IN FORECLOSURE MATTERS, AJB ASSISTS HOMEOWNERS FACING OTHER CONCERNS SUCH AS TITLE ISSUES, DEED SCAMS, AND OTHER FORMS OF PROPERTY FRAUD. 377270 FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM: IN THE PAST YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HANDLED 431 FAMILY LAW CASES, BENEFITING OVER 900 PEOPLE.IN KINGS COUNTY FAMILY COURT, AJB PROVIDES ADVICE, BRIEF SERVICES, AND REPRESENTATION IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION MATTERS AS WELL AS CHILD AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT CASES. FURTHER, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LAW FIRMS, AJB MAINTAINS A PRO SE UNCONTESTED DIVORCE PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS FILE AN UNCONTESTED DIVORCE IN KINGS COUNTY SUPREME COURT. UNIQUE AMONG MANY LEGAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AJB ALSO OFFERS ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION IN ARTICLE 17A GUARDIANSHIP PROCEEDINGS IN SURROGATE'S COURT, WHICH DESIGNATE A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND TO ACT ON BEHALF OF A PERSON OVER THE AGE OF 18 WHO HAS INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES - EMPLOYING MINIMALLY RESTRICTIVE OPTIONS TO GIVE MUCH-NEEDED SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND PEACE OF MIND TO THEIR FAMILIES. 338703 1000 SENIOR ASSISTANCE AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERSIN THE PAST YEAR ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN HANDLED 34 ELDER LAW-RELATED MATTERS SUCH AS WILLS AND PROBATE ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS OTHER MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS, AFFECTING 44 PEOPLE. AJB ADDRESSES END OF LIFE CONCERNS BY HELPING BROOKLYN RESIDENTS PREPARE AND EXECUTE WILLS, HEALTH CARE PROXIES, AND OTHER LIFE PLANNING DOCUMENTS, AS WELL AS BY HANDLING SMALL ESTATE MATTERS FOR ESTATES OF $50,000 OR LESS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION SPECIFICALLY FOR OLDER BROOKLYN RESIDENTS, FOCUSING ON LEGAL ISSUES OF CONCERN FOR SENIORS SUCH AS WILLS, PROBATE MATTERS, AND ESTATE PLANNING; CONSUMER DEBT; GOVERNMENT BENEFITS; AND THREATS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP. THIS PREVENTION-ORIENTED EDUCATION GIVES OLDER BROOKLYN RESIDENTS THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES TO HELP THEM RETAIN STABILITY AND AGE IN PLACE. COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACHACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN OFFERS INDIVIDUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION IN ALL ITS AREAS OF PRACTICE - ADDRESSING CURRENT LEGAL CONCERNS WHILE OFFERING PREVENTION-ORIENTED EDUCATION THAT HELPS INDIVIDUALS ACCESS LEGAL HELP BEFORE PROBLEMS CAN ESCALATE. OVER THE LAST YEAR AJB REACHED OVER 1,100 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH LEGAL EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS, RESOURCE FAIRS, AND OTHER OUTREACH EVENTS, DELIVERING ESSENTIAL "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" INFORMATION IN NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT BROOKLYN.CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (CLE)CENTRAL TO AJB'S MISSION AND MODEL, THE ORGANIZATION RECRUITS AND TRAINS PRO BONO VOLUNTEERS - INCLUDING PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS, IN-HOUSE COUNSEL, AND LAW FIRMS - TO TAKE CASES FOR REPRESENTATION, FURTHERING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR BROOKLYN RESIDENTS. LAST YEAR, AJB ENGAGED 264 ATTORNEYS, LAW STUDENTS, AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS WHO DONATED 4,223 HOURS OF COMPASSIONATE, HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO BROOKLYN RESIDENTS THROUGH DIRECT ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, AND OTHER SERVICES. DURING THE SAME PERIOD, AJB DELIVERED PITCHES TO 13 LAW FIRMS; AND HOSTED OR PARTICIPATED IN A TOTAL OF NINE (9) CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (CLE) SESSIONS FOR 353 ATTENDEES, EXPANDING THE POOL OF LEGAL PROFESSIONALS PREPARED TO DELIVER COMMUNITY LEGAL SUPPORT. 338703 1000 1630133 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 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 11 0 1 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 19 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 NY X X X MELISSA STARR 7184739209 203 JAY STREET SUITE 300 BROOKLYN NY 11201 HEIDI LEE HENDERSON PRESIDENT & CEO (TO 12/2024) 40.00 X X 192762 0 9733 MELISSA A STARR INT. PRESIDENT & CEO (AS OF 12/2024) 40.00 X X 168598 0 17357 LYNN E JUDELL BOARD CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 STEPHEN Z WILLIAMSON VICE CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL WATSON SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 LISA BRAUN TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JACK ALDRICH BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 DANIEL ANGEL BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELENA BONIFACIO BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 CAROLINE CONWAY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 AKSHAY DHIMAN 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 ALEXANDER KAPLAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LYDIA KEANEY REYNOLDS BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 COLIN KELLY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MELANIE KOTLER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARK LANDE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 PATRICIA LILLEY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTTYE LINDSEY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 SAMUEL O MADUEGBUNA BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 THANYA POLNIO-JONES BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LEE POPKIN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ADAM SHEPHERD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 WILLIAM ZICHAWO BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAUREN ZIMMERMAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 SIDNEY CHERUBIN DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES 40.00 X 137629 0 17804 TERESA DALY DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL GIVING 40.00 X 121164 0 14163 ANNE O'GRADY PRO BONO DIRECTOR 40.00 X 121164 0 4963 PETER SHELTON WHITE SUPERVISING ATTORNEY 40.00 X 110149 0 14644 851466 0 78664 6 0 1 0 YOUR PART TIME CONTROLLER 1333 BROADWAY SUITE 720 NEW YORK CITY NY 10018 ACCOUNTING SERVICES 115091 1 394477 1347956 439379 2181812 24082 24082 1037911 937414 100497 100497 100497 200875 394477 200875 0 OTHER INCOME 900099 1938 1938 1938 2308329 0 0 126517 1000 1000 388449 185338 135546 67565 1156687 846302 69411 240974 29272 22465 567 6240 119088 80537 14632 23919 130149 87200 16919 26030 134393 90044 17471 26878 6827 6827 49351 33065 6416 9870 86217 57765 11208 17244 62928 42161 8182 12585 200733 134491 26096 40146 37867 25371 4922 7574 9490 6358 1234 1898 BAD DEBT EXPENSE 14717 14717 PROGRAM EXPENSES 11727 11727 REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE 5332 3573 693 1066 RECRUITMENT AND RECOGNI 4083 2736 530 817 2448310 1630133 335371 482806 339781 418090 467481 628730 39647 63231 198599 125662 61090 72937 832867 377944 211897 31412 1952763 1592344 52816 82259 130203 104370 188316 0 371335 186629 X 1296797 1075473 284631 330242 1581428 1405715 1952763 1592344 -139981 -35732 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1629154 1815405 1741066 2073412 2181812 9440849 1629154 1815405 1741066 2073412 2181812 9440849 107365 9333484 20810 17406 18223 24435 24082 104956 5478 10847 61425 6281 1938 85969 9631774 0.96900 0.96710 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 39166 4818 1000 42984 34704 5462 1000 39166 42667 -6963 1000 34704 38607 5060 1000 42667 34929 4178 500 38607 0.75561 0.24439 0 0 47614 47614 78102 59019 19083 72883 66643 6240 72937 4805079 -35732 2539309 2503577 2301502 6827 6827 2308329 4980792 2539309 2539309 2441483 6827 6827 2448310 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 595352 394477 200875 30250 75799 94826 595352 394477 200875 30250 75799 94826 200875 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 HEIDI LEE HENDERSON PRESIDENT & CEO (TO 12/2024) 192762 0 0 0 0 0 7710 0 2023 0 202495 0 0 0 MELISSA A STARR INT. PRESIDENT & CEO (AS OF 12/2024) 168598 0 0 0 0 0 5058 0 12299 0 185955 0 0 0 SIDNEY CHERUBIN DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES 137629 0 0 0 0 0 5505 0 12299 0 155433 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1 FOUNDED IN 1990, ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN (AJB) 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. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRACTICE AREAS INCLUDE SENIOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVANCED LIFE PLANNING; FAMILY STABILIZATION; HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE; AND CONSUMER ADVOCACY AND BANKRUPTCY. IN ALL OF THESE AREAS, AJB PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE DIRECT LEGAL ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS PREVENTION-ORIENTED COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION, EQUIPPING BROOKLYN RESIDENTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES TO ADDRESS LEGAL ISSUES BEFORE THEY ESCALATE. DURING THE PAST YEAR, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF PRO BONO ATTORNEYS AND LAW STUDENTS, ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN PROVIDED DIRECT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES IN 5,638 MATTERS AFFECTING 12,722 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THROUGH 36 LEGAL EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS, RESOURCE FAIRS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED EVENTS, AJB REACHED OVER 1,100 INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE BOROUGH. VIA COURT-BASED CLINICS AND OUTREACH, AJB ALSO PROVIDED PRO SE ASSISTANCE TO ALMOST 300 PEOPLE, AND TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH ISSUES OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION'S SCOPE OF WORK, AJB REFERRED OVER 760 CLIENTS TO OTHER LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE RESOURCES FOR ASSISTANCE. COLLECTIVELY, THESE SERVICES HELP ACHIEVE IMPROVED LEGAL ACCESS AND OUTCOMES FOR THE BROOKLYN COMMUNITY. 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 QUESTIONAIRE TO LIST ANY POTENTIAL TO LIST ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE QUESTIONNAIRE 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 STANDARDDS AND INCLUDES THE USE OF AN HR/COMPENSATIN 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.