This week, we’re highlighting five incredible runners who have pledged to take on 26.2 miles and raise thousands of dollars each in support of Youth Advocacy Foundation’s work to help shut down the school-to-prison pipeline. 🏃‍♀️ Day 5: Meet Juliette  🏃‍♀️ Today, we’re excited to introduce Juliette Barney , one of the passionate runners taking on the Boston Marathon with #TeamYAF . Juliette is running in support of students and families who deserve fair treatment, strong ad

This week, we’re highlighting five incredible runners who have pledged to take on 26.2 miles and raise thousands of dollars each in support of Youth Advocacy Foundation’s work to help shut down the school-to-prison pipeline. 🏃‍♀️ Day 4: Meet Ivana 🏃‍♀️ Today, we’re proud to introduce Ivana Wijedasa, one of the dedicated athletes running with #TeamYAF. Ivana is taking on the Boston Marathon to stand with students and families who deserve strong advocacy, equitable access to

This week, we’re highlighting five incredible runners who have pledged to take on 26.2 miles and raise thousands of dollars each in support of Youth Advocacy Foundation’s work to help shut down the school-to-prison pipeline. Day 3: Meet Cecelia Spiers Today, we’re excited to introduce Cecelia Spiers, one of the dedicated athletes running with #TeamYAF . Cecelia is taking on the Boston Marathon to support students and families who deserve strong advocacy, equitable access to e

This week, we’re highlighting five incredible runners who have pledged to take on 26.2 miles and raise thousands of dollars each in support of Youth Advocacy Foundation’s work to help shut down the school-to-prison pipeline. Day 2: Meet Becca Keddy Today, we’re excited to introduce Becca Keddy, a truly seasoned athlete running with #TeamYAF . This year marks Becca’s 7th Boston Marathon and her 5th running in support of Youth Advocacy Foundation. Her long-standing commitment t

This week, we’re highlighting the five incredible runners who have pledged to take on 26.2 miles and raise thousands of dollars each, in support of Youth Advocacy Foundation’s work to help us shut down the school-to-prison pipeline. 🏃‍♂️ Day 1: Meet Andrew Peppe 🏃‍♂️ We’re kicking off our marathon runner spotlight series by introducing Andrew Peppe, one of the dedicated athletes running with #TeamYAF. Andrew is taking on the miles to help ensure students and families have t

We are thrilled to celebrate our President & CEO, Marlies Spanjaard, who was honored last night as one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Top Women of Law. This recognition reflects Marlies’ extraordinary leadership in advancing education justice for young people across the Commonwealth. Under her guidance, YAF continues to strengthen the EdLaw Project’s work, ensuring students receive the advocacy, educational supports, and fair treatment they need to thrive in and beyond the

This week is a reminder to pause, learn, listen, and stand with the transgender community. Not just in moments of visibility, but every day. Visibility can bring joy, pride, and connection, but it can also bring risk. That’s why education, advocacy, and action matter.🏳️‍⚧️🌟 At a time when transgender people—especially trans youth—are facing increasing challenges, this commitment is more important than ever. Across the country, trans young people are navigating harmful legis

We are thrilled to recognize YAF Board Member, Darnell Thigpen Williams, for his selection to the Massachusetts' Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) "Influence 100"! This is a program in which school districts select rising leaders to participate in a two-year fellowship to prepare for the superintendent role through monthly training and ongoing support in key aspects of the superintendency, with a particular focus on equity. Superintendents and a school c

Happy Friday!  The Youth Advocacy Foundation (YAF) is still celebrating pro bono week 2025! Each day, throughout this week, we have been highlighting firms and people volunteering their time to ensure Massachusetts' children and emerging adults are able to receive access to an equitable education, by sharing some of the incredible work they're doing or have done this 12 months. Please join us in reading their stories below and thanking these incredible attorneys for voluntee

The Youth Advocacy Foundation (YAF) is celebrating pro bono week 2025! Each day, throughout this week, we will be highlighting firms and people volunteering their time to ensure Massachusetts' children and emerging adults are able to receive access to an equitable education, by sharing some of the incredible work they're doing or have done this 12 months. Please join us in reading their stories in the comments and thanking these incredible attorneys for volunteering their tim

The Youth Advocacy Foundation (YAF) is celebrating pro bono week 2025! Each day, throughout this week, we will be highlighting firms and people volunteering their time to ensure Massachusetts' children and emerging adults are able to receive access to an equitable education, by sharing some of the incredible work they're doing or have done this 12 months. Please join us in reading their stories in the comments and thanking these incredible attorneys for volunteering their tim

Each day, throughout this week, we will be highlighting firms and people volunteering their time to ensure Massachusetts' children and emerging adults are able to receive access to an equitable education, by sharing some of the incredible work they're doing or have done this 12 months. Please join us in reading their stories in the comments and thanking these incredible attorneys for volunteering their time and expertise!  #celebrateprobono We'd like to start by thanking Mich

It's Pro Bono Week 2025 with the theme "Supporting Communities" and we want to recognize and thank all of the law firm and corporate attorneys who do just that, make justice a reality in our community by donating their time and expertise to represent many vulnerable students and help us with our mission to shut down the school-to-prison pipeline. Throughout this week, we will be spotlighting the great attorneys who have been volunteering their time to work with us this past y

✨🏃‍♀️🏃🏽‍♂️ Run Boston. Change Lives. ✨ When you join our charity team, every mile you conquer and every dollar you raise fuels our...

Update from our last post: It’s official! The Governor just signed the Protect Education Equity bill into law! Massachusetts law now...

EdLaw attorneys, in partnership with Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC), co-wrote a critical brief to the Education Committee...

On May 6th, our President & CEO, Marlies Spanjaard, testified in support of An Act Relative to Safer Schools  (HD.4297 / S.387),...

A recently released Senate report details major changes to the U.S. Department of Education under the Trump administration—highlighting...

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education just approved new regulations that clarify and update how these practices can be used—and...

Must-Watch: John Oliver’s latest episode takes a hard look at the juvenile justice system — exposing inhumane conditions, the lack of...

We are so happy to share our congratulations to YAF Executive Director and EdLaw Senior Counsel, Michele Scavongelli, on receiving the...

EdLaw Senior Counsel Wheatly Gulmi and EdLaw Director & YAF President and CEO Marlies Spanjaard have been part of a dedicated working...

We are proud to share that several of our attorneys had active roles in the Mass Bar Association's Eighth Annual Juvenile & Child Welfare...

How many boards would spend their Sunday in strategy mode? Ours did. On March 30th, the Youth Advocacy Foundation (YAF) Board dedicated...

In a recent incident involving a transcription app, Northampton elementary school officials were exposed for denying legally required...

Today, March 31st, is Transgender Day of Visibility! Today and everyday it is important to celebrate the transgender community, honor...

The Trump administration has recently initiated significant layoffs within the Department of Education, reducing staff by nearly 50%....

EdLaw Attorneys, Kayla Pulliam and Wheatly Gulmi This past weekend, EdLaw attorneys Michele Scavongelli, Wheatly Gulmi and Kayla Pulliam...

Our newest Board member, Darnell Williams, recently had an article published in The MRA (Massachusetts Reading Association) Beacon,...

February is full of key dates and holidays that continue to shape our communities and country! Significant observances this month, such...

A recent report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics highlights the fluctuations in youth crime from 1993 to 2022, underscoring the need...

The Schott Foundation for Public Education recently released a new report entitled "Love is the Foundation for Life: Schott Report on...