We asked Helen Meyer, development director at Pine Tree Legal Assistance, six questions about her work in Maine.
Keep reading to hear more about Pine Tree Legal, the challenges facing low-income people in Maine that most surprised Helen when she started this work, and what bright spots make her feel hopeful about her work.
Tell us about Pine Tree Legal Assistance:
Ever since Pine Tree Legal opened our doors in 1967, we’ve been helping Maine’s most vulnerable residents overcome pressing problems of everyday life – domestic and sexual violence, homelessness, economic insecurity, financial exploitations, employment issues, and others.
Our mission is to ensure that state and federal laws affecting poor people are upheld, while also addressing the systemic barriers to justice faced by Mainers with low incomes. To achieve this end, our staff and volunteers provide free civil legal assistance in cases where it can make a difference in one’s ability to meet one’s basic human needs or enforce one’s basic human rights.
What one thing do you wish people knew about your organization or mission?
The most important thing to know about Pine Tree Legal is that, over the last 50 years, we have had an incredible impact: the abolition of debtors’ prison, the right to due process in state welfare proceedings, the first successful employment discrimination lawsuits, improved housing codes and accessibility for people with disabilities, and improved protections for victims and domestic and sexual abuse are legacies of Pine Tree’s commitment to fairness and justice for all.
Our impact on the lives of the individuals we serve is also impressive. In 2015, our advocacy prevented 2,893 people from becoming homeless, preserved $70,986 in monthly housing subsidies, and resulted in more than $6 million in income and savings for our clients.
Pine Tree Legal Assistance’s work is dedicated to providing legal assistance to low-income Mainers. Are there any challenges facing low-income people in Maine that surprised you?
People living in poverty face innumerable challenges - homelessness, economic insecurity, employment issues and others. Before I came to Pine Tree, I didn’t realize how many of those issues are intertwined with the civil legal system and I was surprised to learn about the need for civil legal aid. Studies suggest that Maine households with low incomes will experience, on average, between one and two problems a year that require some legal intervention. It isn’t just that people have civil legal issues – it is that they need help resolving their legal issues. An article in the New York Times on 9/23/16 reported that “Having a lawyer makes all the difference. When tenants represent themselves in court, they end up being evicted almost half the time. With a lawyer, tenants win 90 percent of the time.” It often feels that the system is stacked against people who cannot afford attorneys.
What bright spots are you experiencing in your work in Maine lately that makes you feel hopeful?
One big bright spot is that Pine Tree is expanding our services to survivors of sexual assault. Last year, we helped more than 200 survivors of domestic and sexual assault obtain court-ordered Protection From Abuse Orders (PFAS), mostly in Southern Maine. In recognition of our successful advocacy in this area, our partners at Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault are helping us expand these services statewide.
What gets you excited about going to work in the morning these days?
My colleagues! Pine Tree’s staff is comprised of the most amazing group of people! They are passionate, good humored, hardworking, creative, and fun to be around. In legal aid, we are continuously working with people in our communities who are facing homelessness, domestic or sexual violence, loss of income, financial exploitation, and other serious problems but our staff remain positive and zealous in their advocacy. It is inspiring to work with them.
The Pine Tree Legal Assistance team at a recent staff retreat.
What conversation do you wish funders and nonprofits were having more often?
I would like to see funders and nonprofits have more conversations about the value of operating and administrative support. Operating support is so much more than just keeping the lights on! It is the foundation of the organization and it is important to have a solid foundation upon which to build up.
What do you value most about being an MPC member?
The most valuable part of the MPC community is having the opportunity to interact with funders and nonprofits. The conferences and other events have provided a wonderful forum for engaging with Maine foundations.
Thank you to Helen and Pine Tree Legal Assistance!
