Dear Friends,
Across the Appleseed Network, we share a vision of a world where justice is abundant and everyone has genuine opportunities to thrive. This year has brought challenges, but also extraordinary victories and milestones that remind us of the power of persistence and collaboration. Today, we share with you stories of impact, innovative tools that empower communities, and bold visions for the future. Together, we are planting the seeds of change that will transform lives for years to come.
Paid Sick Leave in Nebraska: This November, Nebraska voters passed Initiative 436 with an overwhelming 75% approval, ensuring workers can earn and use paid sick leave. This victory, championed by Nebraska Appleseed, reflects the power of people-driven advocacy and offers a vital safety net for families statewide.
Missouri Medicaid Enrollment: In Missouri, Appleseed’s groundbreaking Medicaid enrollment program is transforming reentry experiences for incarcerated individuals. By ensuring access to healthcare upon release, nearly 1,000 people across eight counties have received Medicaid coverage, reducing recidivism and improving health outcomes. Funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health, this initiative is expanding to even more jails, proving that systemic solutions can uplift entire communities.
Ronnie Peoples’ Release: Ronnie Peoples was sentenced to life without parole for offenses with no physical injury. At St. Clair prison in Alabama, he was respected and beloved, embodying the potential for redemption. His release, facilitated by Alabama Appleseed, came only after a devastating cancer diagnosis—a stark reminder of how urgent justice reform is. Alabama Appleseed continues to advocate for second chances and policies that respect the humanity of incarcerated individuals.
Helping families protect their loved ones in case of deportation: Deportation of a family member can be devastating, emotionally and financially, for their citizen loved ones. Appleseed has developed a comprehensive manual to help these families make a plan to protect their children and their family’s finances.
Texas Youth Resource Map: For youth experiencing homelessness, finding essential services can feel impossible. Texas Appleseed is tackling this challenge with the launch of the Texas Youth Resource Map, an online tool connecting young people to housing, healthcare, and education resources. This tool embodies the Network’s commitment to harnessing technology for social good, ensuring no one is left behind. (ICYMI: See Massachusetts Appleseed’s Homeless Youth Handbook as well!)
School Integration Toolkit in New York: New York Appleseed’s School Integration Community Conversations Toolkit is equipping students, families, and community leaders with actionable strategies to foster more inclusive and equitable schools. By addressing segregation and promoting integration, this initiative paves the way for a future where every student has access to equal opportunities.
Heirs’ Property Mapping in Louisiana: Louisiana Appleseed is working to release a first-of-its-kind heirs’ property map that identifies “hot spots” of likely heirs’ property, by parish, in Louisiana.
Across our centers, priorities for the coming year span diverse but interwoven issues: from criminal justice reform and housing access to healthcare, financial regulation, and education. In places like Texas, Missouri, and Georgia, our teams are developing innovative strategies to address challenges in financial services, criminal justice, and education. Here are just a few examples of what’s to come in 2025.
Looking beyond borders, the Appleseed Foundation is working with Appleseed Mexico on a visionary plan for justice and equity between the U.S. and Mexico. Over the next few months, we’ll develop a long-term strategy addressing cross-border challenges, from immigration reform to economic stability, with a focus on creating lasting structural change over the next 50 years.
Connecticut & Wisconsin Appleseed: The Appleseed Network celebrated the re-opening of Connecticut Appleseed in November under the direction of Patricia O’Rourke, and we look forward to welcoming Wisconsin Appleseed into the Network in 2025!
Oklahoma’s Education Agenda: Oklahoma Appleseed is crafting the Better Outcomes for Oklahoma’s Kids (B.O.O.K.) initiative—a transformative roadmap for public education that ensures every child has access to free and adequate schooling. By addressing disparities and empowering communities, this agenda seeks to fulfill the true promise of public education.
Georgia Housing Justice: Georgia Appleseed is tackling the housing crisis head-on with ambitious legislative priorities. From repealing the rental registry ban to sealing eviction findings and extending rights to families in extended-stay hotels, these measures aim to protect families and create safer, healthier homes for children.
These stories and initiatives remind us that even in difficult times, progress is possible. From expanding opportunities for children to reforming systems that hold people back, the Appleseed Network is committed to creating lasting change.
Thank you for standing with us on this journey.
Together,
Sarah
Director of Network Collaboration
Appleseed is a network of 19 justice centers across the United States and Mexico working together to reduce poverty, combat discrimination, and advance the rule of law.
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