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2023-2024 IMPACT REPORTVeterans Legal Services helpsMassachusetts veterans overcomeadversity by providing free civillegal aid that honors their service,promotes well-being, and respondsto their distinctive needs.

VLS is proud to receive funding from these organizations and individuals.Bushrod Campbell & AdahHall Charity FundThe Baupost GroupMifflin Memorial FundCity of BostonCommonwealth of MARosemary & Richard AllenBill & Diane AsherBernard CammarataMichael DouvadjianPatricia & Scott EstonJackie & Matt FearerDaniel T. Flatley Giving FundJoseph & Veronika GoodwinRichard GrandeNicholas Michael HasenfusStacy & Sean MullaneyThe Ryan FamilyDepartment of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families ProgramDepartment of Veterans Affairs Legal Services for Veterans ProgramA Message from VLS Leadership For too many veterans, the physical, mental, and financial impact of military service results in housing, financial, andfamily issues. Since 1991, Veterans Legal Services has been helping Massachusetts veterans overcome adversity byproviding free civil legal aid that honors their service, promotes well-being, and responds to their distinctive needs. VLS began implementing its strategic plan in 2021 and remains committed and eager to continue to make progresson its strategic priorities, including: Doubling the number of veterans served—and we’ve made great progress, growing from approximately 700 toover 1,000 veterans served annually Advocating for public policy changes that could mitigate the need for veterans to need an attorney in the first place and Working continually and intentionally to ensure that diverse people and perspectives are centered in VLS’s work. VLS’s collaborations with seven partner sites and 315 pro bono attorneys, along with recent investments in staffing andinfrastructure and an effective board of directors, has positioned VLS to continue to increase our capacity and the impact ofour mission. VLS will close the justice gap for Massachusetts military veterans in need, working to ensure they have accessto effective, compassionate legal assistance to remove barriers and promote their well-being. Thank you to the VLS team, volunteers, community partners, and donors for your commitment to VLS’s mission. We lookforward to continuing to work together to honor the promise that is made to our servicemembers: to support and care forthem after they have sacrificed so much for all of us. Sincerely, William B. Asher, Esq. Anna S. Richardson, Esq. Sarah E. Roxburgh, Esq.Chair, Board of Directors Co-Executive Director & Chief Counsel Co-Executive Director & Chief of Operations

A veteran with service-connected disabilities and two young childrenwas facing home foreclosure. He had worked as a corrections officerbut was now unable to work due to conditions caused byexperiences during his military service, including race-baseddiscrimination and bullying that led to a mental health crisis andhospitalization. He became unable to support his family, but hadbeen denied access to veterans benefits. VLS secured a 100%disability rating from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and a $35,000retroactive payment that prevented home foreclosure, prospectivelystabilized the family’s housing, provided for necessities, and helpedsupport his continued medical treatment. A veteran was facing eviction due to a conflict with the landlord. Hewanted to move to better housing but was facing homelessnessbecause he had been unable to find an affordable apartment. VLSPro Bono Director Angie Vargas matched the veteran with volunteerattorney Stephanie Chesney of Cozen O’Connor. Stephanie’sadvocacy helped the veteran find a safe, affordable apartment.Stephanie also got the eviction complaint dismissed."They took my side when I was facing an injustice. [The attorney]took her time, she listened, showed that she really cared. Theygave me the time to find good housing."Legal needs make up 9 of the top 10 unmetneeds of veterans experiencing housinginsecurity.Approximately 70% of veteran households face atleast onecivil legal challenge per year. Of thosehouseholds, 21% face six or more legal challengesannually.Veterans with legal problems are nearly twice aslikely to experience suicidal ideation. And ourcountry is losing at least twenty-two veterans tosuicide every day.Approximately 36% of VLS clients identify aspeople of color, even though only 7% ofMassachusetts veterans are people of color. Approximately 16% of clients are women eventhough women make up only 6% of all veterans inMassachusetts.While about 20% of Massachusetts veterans have aservice-connected disability, more than 72% of VLSclients have a diagnosed disability. Who We Serve

7148549658029401013255289315Veterans Legal Services Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024ImpactSalaries & Benefits $1,255,107 (81%)General & Administrative $260,825 (17%)Fundraising $34,115 (2%)TOTAL $1,550,047Financial OverviewFederal & State Grants $845,182 (45%)Other Grants $556,499 (29%)Ind. & Corp. Contributions $372,641 (20%)Other $111,615 (6%)TOTAL $1,885,937ExpensesIncomePro Bono AttorneysLegal Matters AddressedVeterans ServedVLS partners with veterans services organizations throughoutMassachusetts because legal aid is an essential service in theholistic care of veterans. VLS specializes in eviction/homelessnessprevention, helping veterans access financial and medicalbenefits, appealing discharge orders, and promoting healthyfamily relationships by securing equitable divorce, child custody,parenting time, and child support arrangements.VLS prioritizes cases in which the veteran would otherwise gowithout assistance, where representation is likely to have asignificant impact, and where VLS's specialized expertise inveterans' matters is needed. VLS has a waiting list for veteransseeking legal help. Each year, the need grows and VLS continues to strive to servemore veterans. VLS began implementation on its strategic plan in2021 and remains committed and eager to continue to makeprogress on its strategic priorities, including doubling the numberof veterans served, to 1,400.Progress at a Glance202420232022

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSIONDiversity, equity, and inclusion is at the heart of VLS'smission and work, and a DEI lens is brought to allaspects of VLS. VLS's board of directors and staffreflect the population VLS serves and are diverse inage, financial capacity, gender, lived experience, race,sexual orientation, and skillset. June 2024 | Federal Bar Association TrainingVLS, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and the U.S. District Court forthe District of Rhode Island, hosted a panel discussion and training for lawyers, judicial/courtstaff, and students highlighting veterans’ legal issues, considerations, and resources. July 2024 | VLS Annual EventVLS and its supporters had the pleasure of hearing from Doris Kearns Goodwin and her son,VLS board member Joe Goodwin, about their experiences as they navigated through school,politics, the military, and beyond. Together, we raised over $305,000 to support VLS's mission! July 2024 | Governor Healey Signs HERO ActVLS advocated for the most comprehensive piece of veterans’ legislation in Massachusettshistory. The HERO Act (An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing our Servicemembersand Veterans) includes over 30 provisions that positively impact hundreds of thousands ofveterans in Massachusetts, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ+veterans. September 2023 | Stand Down BostonVLS team members and volunteers set up at Boston City Hall Plaza alongside dozens ofother supportive services organizations and agencies to holistically address challenges facedby military veterans in Greater Boston.Cindy Palmquist joined VLS in December 2023 and is VLS’s first-ever managing attorney.This new hire is significant because it helps VLS build supervisory capacity which hasalready allowed for the hire of four additional staff attorneys.December 2023 | Colonel Ruby W. Linn Managing AttorneyVLS Highlights

Allan, an attorney and Marine Corps veteran, joined the VLS Board in 2014 and served aschair from 2016 - 2023. He cared deeply about VLS and worked closely with the boardand staff to advance its mission. Allan believed strongly that VLS’s work is not charity; it isthe repayment of a debt that we owe our servicemembers. Allan oversaw the largest and most rapid growth of the organization in its history. Underhis leadership, VLS grew from a staff of three to a team of ten. VLS’s budget more thanquadrupled, and the number of community partnerships and veterans served expandedexponentially. We are forever grateful for Allan’s contributions and will forever miss his laugh, smile,character, and kindness.Remembering Allan Ryan, 1945-2023Thank you to the VLS team for your time anddedication to the veterans in Massachusetts.Lily RoblesSteve SheinkopfAndrew von Kuhn*James P. Whitters, III, Esq.*Stephen PagliucaJohn J. Regan, Esq.* William F. Sinnott, Esq.*Chanal Neves-McCain, Esq.Jeong Park, Esq.*Alexandra Trobe, Esq.*Christopher Walton*Aneisha Worrell, Esq.Hon. James McHugh, III (ret.)*Tim McLaughlin, Esq.*Sean Mullaney, Esq.*Robin Azar Orazem Michael B. Keating, Esq.*Coleman Nee* Steve Oleskey, Esq. Joseph Kearns Goodwin, Esq.*Nicholas Hasenfus, Esq.*Jonathan Hayden, Esq.*Daniel LaPenta, Esq.*Sean Morrissey*Rosemary Allen, Esq.Jacqueline Fearer Jordan Krasnow, Esq.Kristen Kuliga, Esq. Richard Allen, Esq. Michael Douvadjian*Doris Kearns Goodwin Scott Harshbarger, Esq. William B. Asher, Esq., Board ChairNicole Jackson Leslie, Esq., SecretaryElyse Marks, TreasurerDaniel Carey, CPAJennifer GlanvilleCouncil of AdvisorsThe Council is comprised of persons recognized by VLS for their exceptional commitment to and support of VLS and its mission.Friends of VLSFriends of VLS is a group of distinguished individuals invited by the VLS Board of Directors to be affiliated with the organizationdue to their special knowledge of veterans’ issues, legal services, philanthropy, and non-profit organizations.Board of DirectorsVLS TeamLeah Yonemoto-Weston, AmeriCorps Legal AdvocateMattie Saulnier, AmeriCorps Legal AdvocateAdam Wintzer, AmeriCorps Legal AdvocateAnastasia Bouikidis, Eligibility & Outreach SpecialistOwen Kasmin, Eligibility & Outreach SpecialistBarbara Ortiz, Eligibility & Outreach SpecialistSarah Reberio, Eligibility & Outreach SpecialistSusan Anderson, Esq., Access to Justice FellowCrispin Birnbaum, Esq., Access to Justice FellowHon John C. Cratsley (ret.), Access to Justice FellowJonathan Feltner, Esq., Access to Justice Fellow*Pamela Meister, Esq., Access to Justice FellowSteve C. Parker, Esq., Access to Justice Fellow*Michelle Wolf, Esq., Access to Justice FellowAnna Richardson, Esq., Co-Executive Director & Chief Counsel Sarah Roxburgh, Esq., Co-Executive Director & Chief of Operations Cindy Palmquist, Esq., Colonel Ruby W. Linn Managing AttorneyAngie Vargas, Esq., Pro Bono Director Eve Elliott, Esq., Director of Law Student, Co-op, and Fellowship Programs & Senior Staff AttorneyPerry Denton, Esq., Staff Attorney*Katherine Coombs, Esq., Staff Attorney Jenna Dwy, Esq., Staff AttorneyJames Edward Johnson, III, Esq., Staff Attorney*Heather Rick, Business Manager & Program Data AnalystKate Garvin, Communications & Development Associate*Denotes Veteran