Tzedek DC’s Medical Debt Work Sparks Public Discussion

Tzedek DC spearheaded a medical debt cancellation campaign that wiped out over $42 million in debt for more than 62,000 DC residents. The relief was due to a public dollar investment by the DC Government, which Tzedek DC recommended and catalyzed. Using DC-provided grant dollars, the nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt purchased debt directly from a DC hospital system and eliminated that debt.

DC residents whose income is under four times the federal poverty level or those with medical debt exceeding 5% of their income were eligible for relief. Over 80 percent of residents benefiting from the cancellation live in zip codes that are majority Black or community members of color. In addition to eliminating the debt, Undue Medical Debt took steps to have these debts removed from patients’ credit reports maintained by major credit reporting agencies such as Experian, Equifax, and Transunion.

This initiative, and Tzedek DC’s catalytic role in it, attracted widespread media attention. It was featured in 12 articles from major outlets such as The Washington Post and played numerous times across 6 television stations and 2 radio stations, including ABC 7, Fox 5, and WUSA9. The program’s local and national coverage generated over 500 million impressions, highlighting its impact while sparking important discussions on healthcare reform, financial equity, and social justice. Links to the articles are included below, and snippets from television and radio are featured in the reel above, also available by clicking here.

Tzedek DC also helped catalyze faith-based private medical debt relief along the same model. Tzedek DC moderated and participated in a panel discussion in October 2023, with Temple Sinai that spawned their fundraising efforts that led to the cancellation of over $4.3 million in medical debt. Similarly, we participated in a forum with St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in April 2024, that kicked off a campaign leading to the cancellation of a further $3.6 million in medical debt.

These cancellation efforts also highlight the need for forward-looking systemic reform to help ensure that DC residents needing medical care do not end up in a situation where they need this relief in the first place. Tzedek DC is actively exploring reforms to, among other things: 

  • Strengthen financial assistance policies both by making such programs easier for patients to access as well as by expanding their scope to include more health care providers and more patients.

  • Improve protections related to medical debt through, for example, prohibiting lawsuits to collect or wage garnishment for medical debt held by those eligible for free or reduced-price care. 

  • Adjust hospital spending and pricing policies to be more equitable. 

  • Increase enforcement of compliance of existing rules and any newly enacted rules. 

Article Links 

$42M of Medical Debt Erased for 62,000 DC Residents Through Public Dollars Investment

Tzedek DC Offers Residents Credit Report-Related Support; Relief Recipients to Receive Debt Cancellation Letters Starting Today

Tzedek DC applauds the cancellation of about $42 million of medical debt for more than 62,000 District of Columbia residents.

The relief is due to a public dollars investment by the DC Government, which Tzedek DC recommended and catalyzed. This investment has made DC the first state-level government to invest in the large-scale purchase and cancellation of medical debt. Over 80 percent of residents benefiting from the cancellation live in zip codes that are majority Black or community members of color.

Beginning today, August 30, residents whose medical debt has been erased will receive a letter from Undue Medical Debt, a national nonprofit that acquires medical debt in bulk from providers like hospitals and then erases it. To help residents navigate, Tzedek DC is now providing free follow-on services to support residents with questions related to this relief, including how it relates to their credit report. More information is available here.

“This is a big win for DC residents. We applaud Mayor Muriel Bowser and Deputy Mayor Wayne Turnage for this choice to invest in large-scale medical debt cancellation as an anti-poverty strategy and in response to the health equity problems that medical debt presents and perpetuates. We look forward to working further with the Mayor’s team and the DC Council to ensure fewer DC families are burdened by medical debt going forward,” said Ariel Levinson-Waldman, Tzedek DC’s Founding Director. “We also deeply appreciate the systemic relief work of Undue Medical Debt. We urge residents to open envelopes coming to them from Undue Medical Debt so they know that their medical debt has been canceled and can take steps to ensure their credit report reflects that fact.”

“We know that in DC and across the country, medical debt has become a burden that follows too many families around and holds people back from ever getting their fair shot—especially people of color,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Erasing medical debt just makes sense—this is a way for us to get life-changing financial help to a large number of people, in the most efficient way possible. We’re grateful for our partners who worked with us to relieve tens of thousands of Washingtonians from the burden of medical debt.”

Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States, burdening an estimated 100 million Americans. The White House has heralded the large-scale purchase and cancellation of medical debt.

Estimates suggest that prior to DC’s cancelation initiative, more than 90,000 DC residents may have had outstanding medical debt. As in the rest of the country, the burden of this medical debt falls disproportionately on DC residents who are Black or persons of color, who are, on average, three times more likely to be burdened by medical debt than white DC residents. As a result, in an effort culminating in 2023, the Tzedek DC team, including medical debt project leader attorney Jennifer Holloway, advocated to the DC Council and Mayor, highlighting the crisis of medical debt and, along with allied organizations, urging medical debt cancelation through public investment to improve the lives of some of the District’s most vulnerable residents. Tzedek DC’s testimony is available here.

Working with Undue Medical Debt, the DC government’s resulting investment has provided the funding for this impactful medical debt cancelation program. Using DC-provided grant dollars, Undue Medical Debt has purchased debt directly from a DC hospital system and eliminated that debt. In addition, Undue Medical Debt has taken steps to have these debts removed from patients’ credit reports maintained by major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, Transunion).

Medical debt cancelation from Undue Medical Debt cannot be requested and is source-based, meaning that this program can only erase qualifying medical debts the organization is able to acquire from providers like hospitals or physicians’ groups. The criteria for relief are those who are four times the federal poverty level (FPL) or below or those with medical debt that is 5% or more of their annual income. Medical debts are bought and sold in large, bundled portfolios for a fraction of their face value, meaning one donated dollar can erase, on average, $100 of medical debt, providing an impactful return on investment to governmental funders or for private philanthropic efforts. Those benefiting from DC’s medical debt relief will receive a branded envelope from Undue Medical Debt in the mail starting today and over the next several weeks, outlining which of their medical debts have been erased.

Canceling medical debt provides immediate financial relief to DC families. Studies from the Urban Institute and the CFPB have found that medical debt cancellation increases an individual’s credit score and their total amount of available revolving credit (i.e., credit card limits). After medical debt is removed from a credit report, the studies found that an individual’s credit score could increase by as much as 32 points.

Medical debt is also a social determinant of health, and relieving medical debt can improve mental health, physical health, and financial stability. Because families of color are three times more likely to have medical debt than their white neighbors, this cancellation effort advances health and financial equity in DC.

This development was featured in the Washington Post.

About Tzedek DC, Our Medical Debt Work, and the Health Equity Fund   

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, and with offices also in Ward 8, Tzedek DC is a nonprofit organization.  Our mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles, including those arising from medical debt. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black residents, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice, and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 4,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

A portion of Tzedek DC’s medical debt work is funded by the Health Equity Fund, as administered by the Greater Washington Community Foundation in partnership with the Health Equity Committee. The Health Equity Fund is designated to improve the health outcomes and health equity of residents of the District of Columbia. The historic fund is one of the largest philanthropic funds of any kind focused on community-based nonprofits that serve District residents.  Given that 80 percent of DC’s health outcomes are driven by social, economic, and other factors, compared to just 20 percent by clinical care, the Health Equity Fund adopts an economic mobility frame to address the root causes of health inequity and advances a sustainable network of people, organizations, and projects to ensure equitable health outcomes for Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color and other marginalized populations in DC.

We are especially grateful to the Health Equity Fund for the support and shared vision of health equity and racial and economic justice.

2024 DMV Back-to-School Events & Resources: Empowering Families for Success

As the new school year approaches, Tzedek DC is here to support your family's journey toward educational success. We understand that the back-to-school season can bring both excitement and challenges, especially when it comes to ensuring your child has the necessary supplies. That’s why we have compiled a list of upcoming events across the DMV area where you can access free school supplies and resources to set your child up for a successful year.

At Tzedek DC, we believe that every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed in school, regardless of their family's financial situation. By providing awareness of these resources, we aim to reduce the barriers that can hinder a child’s ability to thrive academically.

Wednesday, August 21

Cure the Streets DC Back-to-School Celebration

Join the Cure the Streets DC Back-to-School Celebration at Tyler House Apartments’ Community Room. Enjoy food, uniforms, book bags, and fresh produce, and register for free WiFi and phones.

  • When: 2:00 - 6:00 pm

  • Where: Tyler House Apartments (1200 North Capitol St NW)

  • No registration required

Friday, August 23

Chase 2nd Annual Back to School Community Day

Book bags and school supply giveaways, swag, and prizes. Enjoy free food, beverages, and haircuts, and take part in panel discussions featuring Big G and Backyard Band. Additionally, there will be financial health workshops. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. School supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

  • When: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Chase Skyland Community Branch (2728 Good Hope Rd SE)

  • No registration required

Wizards’ Jarden Poole Back to School Tip-Off

Each student will receive a new backpack full of school supplies and a new book from Mahogany Books, courtesy of Jordan Poole and the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation to start the school year! Activities include back-to-school haircuts, basketball clinics, DJ Heat and Wizards Dancers, free food, face painters, and more.

  • When: 12:00 - 3:30 pm

  • Where: Stanton Elementary School (2701 Naylor Rd SE)
    Please enter through the Naylor Rd gate and check in at the field upon arrival

  • No registration required

Back to School Day at RFK

Bring the whole family to celebrate the season at Back to School Day at RFK. From haircuts to school supplies, there will be everything your family needs to get ready for another great school year. Activities include book bags and school supplies giveaways, food, music, arcade, games, and more.

  • When: 12:00 - 4:00 pm

  • Where: The Fields at RFK Campus (401 Oklahoma Ave NE)

  • No registration required

Saturday, August 24

EBOL Food and Supply Distribution - Together We Thrive

Join Emory Beacon of Light Food and Supply Distribution for free food, hygiene products, essential household items, and school supplies to help our community shine!

  • When: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

  • Where: Emory Beacon of Light (6100 Georgia Ave NW)
    Drive-Through: Quackenbos St NW
    Walk-Up: Georgia Ave NW

  • Register to attend

Back to School Barbecue

Join Bennett Career Institute & Alan Foundation for a school supplies bazaar, games, food, free haircuts, and styles.

  • When: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Bennett Career Institute (700 Monroe St NE)

  • No registration required

Ward 5 Back to School Giveaway

Join Ward 5 EEC for a free back-to-school backpack and school supplies. Also, get a chance to meet the members, neighbors, and community organizations.

  • When: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Wheatley Education Campus (1299 Neal St NE)

  • No registration required

Fight for Children Youth Sports Day

Join Fight For Children Youth Sports Day for a fun-filled, community event that will showcase sports-based youth development programs, games and prizes, a DJ, music and special guests, food trucks, and lots of fun for the whole family!

  • When: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: The Fields at RFK Campus (401 Oklahoma Ave NE)

  • Register to attend

12th Annual Back 2 School Health & Wellness Festival

Join the Greater Washington Urban League and Second Baptist Church Southwest at the 12th Annual Back 2 School Health & Wellness Festival! We are giving away 1,000 backpacks and school supplies to 1,000 students!

  • When: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

  • Where: Second Baptist Church Southwest (5501 Silver Hill Rd, District Heights, MD 20747)

  • Register to attend

DPR Roving Leaders Backpack Giveaway

The annual Roving Leaders Backpack Giveaway returns! First come, first served. Bags are available for students 3-to-17 years old. Parent and student must be present.

  • When: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Kennedy Recreation Center (1401 7th St NW)

  • No registration required

Back 2 School Bookbag Giveaway

Join Bethel Stand For Life Outreach Ministries Inc. for a free back-to-school backpack giveaway.

  • When: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Corner of Southern Ave and S Capitol St SW

  • No registration required

DPR Emery Heights Backpack Giveaway

Join DPR for this exciting upcoming backpack giveaway at Emery Heights along with Leg3ndary Experiences.

  • When: 12:00 - 4:00 pm

  • Where: Emery Heights Community Center (5701 Georgia Ave NW)

  • Register to attend

Day in the Park Backpack Giveaway

Join Park Road Community Church for their back-to-school backpack giveaway event, featuring games, food, a lemonade stand, and sack racing.

  • When: 1:00 pm - TBD

  • Where: Park Road Community Church (1019 Park Rd NW)

  • Register with Pastor Parshall or Youth Leader

Books Braids & Beyond A Free Back to School Event

Join Arena Stage for moving stories, hair love, a demonstration by Dudley Beauty College, and school supplies and backpacks.

  • When: 2:00 - 4:00 pm

  • Where: Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St SW)

  • No registration required

Annual Community Day Health and Wellness Fair 2024

Join DC Health and the Places of Worship Advisory Board at the Marshall Heights Community Development Center for the Annual Community Day Health and Wellness Fair. Free health screenings and referrals will be available, as well as entertainment and activities for all ages. Free fruit, vegetables, and hot food will be available.

  • When: 2:00 - 6:00 pm

  • Where: Marshall Heights Community Development Center (3939 Benning Rd NE)

  • Register to attend

Sunday, August 25

Back-to-School Clothing Swap

Join Community Swap at Trinidad Farmers Market for a back-to-school clothing swap event. Donate clothes, school uniforms, shoes, backpacks, books, and toys. No furniture, large baby gear, or car seats are accepted. Any remaining items will be donated to local families.

  • When: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

  • Where: Joseph Cole Recreation Center (1232 Neal St NE)

  • Register to attend

Good Times Community Festival

Join the annual Good Times Community Festival at THEARC! Food, games, activities, and free supply-filled backpacks for students so they are prepared for a successful new school year! WPGC 99.5 and SJ EZ Street will be supplying the jams. The Burton and Craig Shields Foundation will be providing free haircuts/styling for children. Hair appointments are strongly encouraged, and limited walk-in appointments will be available.

Saturday, September 7

Learn24’s Afterschool in the City 2024

Join the Deputy Mayor for Education’s Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes and the Learn24 network to explore all the afterschool and out-of-school time programming available to District youth ages 5-21 during the 2024-25 school year.

  • When: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Deanwood Community Center (1350 49th St NE)

  • Register to attend

Saturday, September 14

DCPS Back to School Block Party

The DC Public Schools’ Back to School Block Party is a celebration to welcome students, families, teachers, school administration, and community members to a successful start to the new school year. The Block Party is designed to engage the DC community in a fun and welcoming environment while providing information and resources. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and gather materials from community organizations and District Government agencies, including health & wellness, food access, and college & career readiness to name a few. There will be free food and fun activities for all ages including games, face painting, and student performances.

  • When: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Jefferson Middle School Academy (801 7th St SW)

  • Register to attend

Jennifer Holloway Joins ABA Medical Debt Panel

Jennifer Holloway, our Equal Justice Works Fellow leading our Medical Debt Project, was a panelist in the American Bar Association’s recent webinar, “Medical Debt: Strategies for Tackling A Growing ‘Epidemic.’”

Panelists on the webinar gave an overview of the problem and impact of medical debt and discussed how states and the federal government are working to tackle it. Panelists highlighted state-level policy protections from limiting interest rates and statute of limitations on medical debt collections, to strong financial assistance policy requirements, to canceling all medical debt.

Jennifer uplifted the DC Government’s grant to purchase and cancel medical debt held by DC residents and the CFPB’s proposed rule to eliminate medical debt from credit reports used for lending decisions. She also discussed the impact of medical debt on clients’ physical, mental, and financial health, sharing how one client was turned away from getting healthcare because of her medical debt and another was pressured into taking out a medical credit card by her daughter’s surgeon.

The webinar acted as a catalyst for the ABA’s proposed resolution on addressing medical debt. The Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice is proposing that the House of Delegates adopt a resolution urging federal and state governments to enact laws, adopt policies, and support programs that alleviate the burden of medical debt. Watch the panel here and learn more about the resolution here.

Summer 2024 DC Youth Meals Program – Don’t Miss Out!

Our children and teens need nutritious meals, no matter what season it is. But during the summer months, when school is out, access to healthy meals can be a big problem for many students. That’s why we’re excited to share information about the DC Youth Meals Program – a wonderful initiative that provides free meals during the summer to children and teens across our city.

What is the DC Youth Meals Program?

The DC Youth Meals Program offers free, nutritious meals to children and teens aged 18 and under throughout the summer. This initiative is part of a broader District-wide effort to combat food insecurity and support our community’s youth.

When and Where is it Happening?

Meals are available at over 100 locations across the city from June 1st to August 30th. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided at different times throughout the day, ensuring that children have access to food no matter their schedule.

Who’s Eligible?

All children and teenagers aged 18 and under, as well as children over 18 with special needs and disabilities, are eligible for the program. There is no requirement for registration or proof of income. You can simply come to a designated site and enjoy a healthy meal.

Find a Meal Site Near You

To find a meal site, click on this free resource guide below, which categorizes all the sites by wards.

How We Can Help at Tzedek DC

We’re committed to supporting our community’s families. If you have any questions or need further assistance about the DC Youth Meals Program, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help!

Contact Us

Phone: (202) 274-7386

Website: tzedekdc.org/legal-services-contact-us

Together, we can ensure that all members of our DC community have the resources they need to thrive.

Tzedek DC Applauds Reform Raising Clean Hands Threshold 

Tzedek DC applauds the passing of the DC's budget, which raises the threshold for Clean Hands certification from $100 to $1,000.  

On Tuesday, June 25, the Council of the District of Columbia voted unanimously to pass the “Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Act of 2024” (BSA). The BSA takes effect on October 1, 2024, and includes the subtitle “The Clean Hands Certification Economic Expansion and Revitalization Amendment Act of 2024,” which raises the threshold for Clean Hands certification when applying for occupational and small business licenses from $100 to $1,000 for debts owed to the District government.  

Once it takes effect, the BSA’s subtitle inclusion means that individuals with fines and fees or other debts owed to the DC government will no longer be locked out of business and occupational licensing unless the amount owed is over $1,000. Further, the DC Government has now clarified that traffic debt, including parking tickets, speeding fines, and automated traffic enforcement fines, is not reviewed for a Clean Hands certification for the majority of business and occupational licenses sought by workers in the District from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.   

While further reform is needed, the reform will empower more workers to obtain business and occupational licenses to work in the District, combat racial income disparities, and create a first step towards eliminating a barrier to work that harms DC’s most vulnerable residents. 

The current Clean Hands Law automatically disqualifies anyone with over $100 in unpaid fines and fees of any kind from obtaining DC government-issued occupational and business licenses. It affects more than 125 occupations, representing over 48,000 workers, including barbers, cosmetologists, nurses, social workers, plumbers, HVAC cleaners, food vendors, and dozens of other occupations crucial to the District’s economy. Nearly one in five DC workers must get an occupational license before they can legally do their jobs. The BSA subtitle will raise the $100 threshold to $1,000 and create a more equitable workforce in the District. 

The District has an especially wide racial wealth gap. White households have, on average, 81 times the wealth of Black households and 22 times the wealth of Latino households, and Black residents are five times more likely to live in poverty than white residents. The current Clean Hands Law and $100 threshold exacerbate and help perpetuate this gap. The DC Council’s Office of Racial Equity (CORE) has concluded that “[b]ecause of the Clean Hands policy, Black residents are disproportionately blocked from occupational licenses [or] starting a business…. This leaves Black residents disproportionately impacted by fines but with fewer opportunities to build wealth that may help them pay debts resulting from fines and fees.”  

In December 2023, Tzedek DC released “Locked Out: How DC Bans Workers with Unpaid Fines from More than 125 Jobs or Starting a Business, and What We Can Do About It,” a report on the need for reform of DC’s Clean Hands Law. The Locked Out report, which was supported by a coalition of more than 20 local partners, shares the stories of directly impacted residents, illustrates the policy and legal problems of the current system through data-based explanations, and shows how DC’s counter-productive law makes it an outlier in the region and in the nation. 

Alongside the release of the Locked Out report, Tzedek DC worked with DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie to draft the “Clean Hands Economic Expansion and Revitalization Amendment Act of 2023.” This pending bill, separate from the one passed in the BSA, would end the Clean Hands Law’s lockout of occupational and small business licenses for those with unpaid fines and fees to DC. The bill was introduced in December 2023 and received a hearing on June 20, 2024, where support for Clean Hands reform came from a wide coalition, including impacted workers, local advocacy groups, restaurant and nightlife operators and industry representatives, unions, and government officials. 

The Council has faced a tough budgetary season this year, and Tzedek DC partnered with Councilmember McDuffie to ensure Clean Hands reform was included in the budget. “Our policy team worked with Councilmember McDuffie’s office to find meaningful Clean Hands reform that fit the tough fiscal realities of this year’s budget process,” said Tzedek DC Policy Director Melissa Millar “Raising the Clean Hands threshold from $100 to $1,000 is an important first step in removing barriers to work for low-income workers in the District.”  

We urge the Council to consider the Clean Hands Economic Expansion and Revitalization Amendment Act of 2023 and listen to the large and diverse coalition calling for the removal of Clean Hands as a barrier to work. For more information about our advocacy work, visit www.tzedekdc.org. 

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black people, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

Tzedek DC Featured in Bittersweet Monthly 

"It's very, very expensive to be poor" 

The nonprofit public interest publication BitterSweet Monthly profiled Tzedek DC in its June 2024 issue. The article includes stories from our clients, our fines and fees work, our medical debt project, our Spanish-language outreach program ¡Sin Deudas, Sin Dudas!, and our Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program. 

One client, Evelyn, recounts how Tzedek DC “walked me through the paperwork and through the court systems and spoke on my behalf at the council member boards and everything,” and concludes, “I wouldn’t think of anybody else in the world I would want to be by my side.” 

The article closes with a generous Editor’s Note from the team at BitterSweet, which is a collaborative counter-narrative published monthly to reject cynicism, defy apathy, and celebrate good: “It's sobering to learn the totality and speed in which a life can be dismantled, the mired weight of debt and the predatory practices and poor policies that allow for it. It's here, deep in the trenches, that we find Tzedek DC.... an outstretched hand in the dark.”

We hope you will read the full article and share it widely. It’s a rich portrait of our work, team members’ perspectives, and, most importantly, the community members we serve.

Supreme Court Sides with CFPB, Tzedek DC, and Allies by Ensuring Constitutionality of CFPB Funding

Last week, the Supreme Court upheld (7-2) the constitutionality of the funding method as determined by Congress for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), allowing a vital agency to continue its work in holding Wall Street and predatory lenders to account and promoting economic and racial justice.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, et al. v. Community Financial Services Association Of America, Ltd., et al., brought by trade associations representing payday lenders and credit-access businesses, challenged the unique funding structure of the CFPB by claiming it violated the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution. Under the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, the Bureau requests its annual funding not from Congress—like many other federal agencies—but from the Federal Reserve, which itself raises funds from assessments it levies on financial institutions.

In the Supreme Court opinion released on May 16, Justice Clarence Thomas succinctly stated the constitutionality of the CFPB’s funding: “Under the Appropriations Clause, an appropriation is simply a law that authorizes expenditures from a specified source of public money for designated purposes. The statute that provides the Bureau’s funding meets these requirements. We therefore conclude that the Bureau’s funding mechanism does not violate the Appropriations Clause. “

Tzedek DC and ninety other coalition member organizations from 34 states and DC filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court that the CFPB independent funding mechanism does not violate the Appropriations Clause of the U.S. Constitution in May 2023. At the time, Tzedek DC and allies warned a finding against the CFPB could plunge the housing and financial markets into chaos by undermining years of consumer protections rulemaking and enforcement and threaten the funding of dozens of independent state regulatory agencies across the country.

The Court’s simple test for the constitutionality of an appropriation reflects the standard urged by the Solicitor General and by Tzedek DC and allies in the amicus brief. The brief argued that the principle followed by Congress and legislatures nationwide is that an appropriation is made when the legislation “specifies a funding source and authorizes an express purpose for the funding.” Congress did so for the CFPB in Dodd-Frank: it identified the Federal Reserve monies as a source for the Bureau’s funding and designated those funds for the Bureau’s activities. That process satisfies the requirements of the Appropriations Clause.

Since its creation, the CFPB has won more than $19 billion in relief for consumers ripped off by big banks and other financial wrongdoers. Recently the agency has pursued policies to rein in junk fees that cost families tens of billions of dollars each year, including by finalizing a rule to cap excessive credit card late fees and proposing limits on punitive overdraft fees. Other key initiatives include requiring fairer credit reports, reducing the harm of medical debt collections, fighting inequity in home appraisals, increasing consumer rights to control their own data, and much more.

Tzedek DC applauds the Supreme Court’s decision and the continued viability of an agency dedicated to the protection of American consumers—that is, all of us.

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black people, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

Director Ariel Levinson-Waldman Awarded 2024 Kutak-Dodds Prize

Tzedek DC is proud to announce that Founding Director Ariel Levinson-Waldman has been awarded a 2024 National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) Kutak-Dodds Prize, given to two lawyers in the United States to recognize extraordinary contributions to advancing access to justice and racial equity in civil legal aid and public defense.

Since 1989, the Kutak-Dodds Prizes have been awarded to attorneys who have significantly contributed to the human dignity and quality of life of individuals unable to afford legal representation. The prize, which will be presented on June 6, carries a cash award of $10,000.

“I'm grateful to the NLADA, which is such an important source of strength, learning, and energy for all of us around the country working to defend the rights of our neighbors who can't afford to pay an attorney when they need one,” Ariel said. “This recognition is a testament to the work and impact of my outstanding teammates at Tzedek DC and our partners in the DC legal services community. I'm especially honored and humbled to see the list of past recipients, including some of my personal heroes like Elaine Jones, Martha Bergmark, and Stephen Bright.

“My wife Rachel and I also have the honor of donating the cash award to Building Bridges Across the River, a terrific nonprofit organization in our DC community that has partnered with legal service organizations and provides residents East of the Anacostia River access to best-in-class facilities, programs, and partnerships in arts and culture, economic opportunity, education, recreation, health, and well-being. Thank you, NLADA.”

NLADA’s full announcement, including information on co-award winner Michelle Mason of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, is here.

About NLADA

The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), founded in 1911, is America's oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state, and local levels, playing a leadership role in the creation of public defender systems and other important institutions from The Sentencing Project to the Legal Services Corporation. A leader in the development of national standards for civil legal aid and public defense, NLADA also provides advocacy, training, and technical assistance for equal justice advocates across the country.

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black people, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

Senior Attorney A.J. Huber Selected for DC Bar Leadership Academy

Tzedek DC is proud to announce the selection of Senior Staff Attorney & Pro Bono Coordinator A.J. Huber to the DC Bar’s 2024 John Payton Leadership Academy. A.J., who is currently serving as Acting Co-Associate Director from January through June 2024, was selected through a competitive process to join other DC attorneys representing a wide range of practice areas and environments in an intensive training leadership program over two months. 

The Leadership Academy was established in 2013 and subsequently renamed in honor of the late John Payton, former DC Corporation Counsel, DC Bar President, and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. 

Associate Director Sarah Hollender (currently serving as Acting Director) said: “As a 2022 graduate of the Leadership Academy, I am excited that A.J. will now also have the opportunity to grow as a leader through the trusted program that gave me so much benefit. A.J. Huber is a stellar litigator, integrous leader, and an integral part of Tzedek DC.” 

Congrats to Tzedek DC’s Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program Graduates! 

In the spirit of financial literacy month, we celebrate the completion of the first 8-week course of Tzedek DC's Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program (YEP). Congratulations are in order for the 18 graduates of this first cohort, whose commitment to financial literacy is an inspiration to us all.

Over the 2023-2024 pilot year, this program will offer four eight-week courses. The first YEP cohort of 18 participants began in November 2023 and graduated on February 8, 2024, and the second cohort is currently more than halfway through. Each course includes eight financial education workshops plus free financial and credit counseling, designed to provide young DC residents with basic financial knowledge, tools, and resources. Throughout this transformative program, our dedicated participants not only enhanced their financial literacy but also took significant strides toward building a secure and prosperous future for themselves. From mastering spending plan techniques to navigating the complexities of investing, each participant has demonstrated a strong commitment to personal growth and financial empowerment.

In Cohort 1, 100% of participants said they “made changes to their financial habits or decisions as a result of this program.” One participant shared that when she began the program, she owed “$10,000 in credit cards” and other expenses. By the end of the 8-week course, she had reduced her debt by over $5,000 and now only owes $4,600. She was able to achieve this substantial reduction of her debt by “paying more than the minimum due and spending less”—a direct application of the skills she had learned in the program.

In addition to the direct skills participants acquired, many also said this program boosted their overall financial confidence. When asked, “How did the program alter your perspective on personal finance?” one participant wrote, “It made me believe that acquiring financial freedom is attainable.” Another participant confided that the program helped alleviate some of her anxiety and “provided hope for a certain path to financial management and freedom.” A third participant said the program taught him “there is a solution in my reach.”

YEP participants are not only absorbing valuable knowledge from the workshops themselves but are sharing the content with their communities! Participants from both Cohorts 1 and 2 said they’ve shared the lessons from the sessions with their children, parents, friends, and family.

YEP’s third course will start in the first week of June. If you are interested in learning more or registering for the third course, please email Sophie Adler, program coordinator: sa@tzedekdc.org

As we continue to celebrate Financial Literacy Month and reflect on the achievements of our first YEP graduates, we invite you to join us in acknowledging their resilience, determination, and dedication. Their accomplishments highlight the potentially transformative impact of education and mentorship in shaping the trajectory of young adults' lives. Let's celebrate not only their successes but also the impact they're poised to make as financially empowered individuals within their communities and beyond.

Here's to a future filled with prosperity, empowerment, and continued learning!

Tzedek DC Receives $1M Gift from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving

Today, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving announced that Tzedek DC has received a $1 million gift as one of the Yield Giving Open Call’s awardees for organizations working with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States.

This gift, the largest unrestricted donation that Tzedek DC has ever received, will support our mission of safeguarding the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with low incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. Tzedek DC carries out our mission as anti-racism work in response to the massive racial wealth gaps in DC and nationwide. We seek to serve and empower our client base, which is comprised of 90% Black residents, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 client households in legal and financial counseling matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents. 

“Tzedek DC is grateful for this extraordinary gift, which will deepen our ability to expand access to justice for DC residents, through our direct services, systemic reform work, and multi-lingual community education and outreach programs,” said Founding President & Director-Counsel Ariel Levinson-Waldman. 

In March 2023, Yield Giving launched an Open Call for community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources. 

The Open Call received 6,353 applications and initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each. In the Fall of 2023, organizations top-rated by their peers advanced to a second round of review by an external Evaluation Panel recruited for experience relevant to this cause and underwent a final round of due diligence. In light of the incredible work of these organizations, as judged by their peers and external panelists, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount. 

"We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations," said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change, which helps donors find and fund bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems. "In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.” 

About Tzedek DC 

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black folks, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents. To learn more, visit www.tzedekdc.org.

About Yield Giving 

Established by MacKenzie Scott to share a financial fortune created through the effort of countless people, Yield Giving is named after a belief in adding value by giving up control. To date, Yield’s network of staff and advisors has yielded over $16,500,000,000 to 1,900+ non-profit teams to use as they see fit for the benefit of others. To learn more, visit www.yieldgiving.com. 

About Lever for Change 

Lever for Change connects donors with bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized challenges and other tailored funding opportunities. Top-ranked teams and challenge finalists become members of the Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps secure additional funding, amplify members’ impact, and accelerate social change. Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change has influenced over $1.7 billion in grants to date and provided support to more than 145 organizations. More information on the Yield Giving Open Call and other initiatives can be found at www.leverforchange.org.

Get Free Tax Preparation Help!

We are excited to say that March 15 is VITA Awareness Day!

We want to let everyone know about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and explain how—and where—you can take advantage of this fantastic program that can help so many people in our DC community.

VITA is a national government program that partners with local organizations to offer free tax preparation services to individuals and families with limited incomes, persons with disabilities, and non-English speaking taxpayers. This program allows everyone to get reliable and trusted help for income tax filing. So even if you can’t afford to pay a private tax preparer, you can still get expert help for filling out those confusing tax forms, and get the best possible refund including claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Please visit our Tzedek DC website to find a list of local VITA sites where you can get your taxes done for free, in many different languages, in the DMV area. Additionally, if you are a senior seeking assistance, you can visit this link for Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.

Disclaimer: Before scheduling an appointment or walking into a clinic, please make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and regularly check the IRS website for updates.

Ford Foundation and Tzedek DC Renew Partnership in Support of Disability Justice

Tzedek DC is honored to receive a two-year grant of $200,000 from the Ford Foundation to support the Tzedek DC Disabilities Community Project, covering 2024-2026. This represents the second such grant of this partnership following Ford’s initial 2021-2023 grant to Tzedek DC.

Led and staffed principally by disabled team members, the Disabilities Community Project at Tzedek DC is designed to meet the specialized needs of disabled people in issues that too often are unaddressed for this community, namely debt, credit, and consumer protection. The Disabilities Community Project provides direct representation of disabled DC residents, conducts community education and outreach throughout DC, and engages in systemic advocacy, all with a disability justice lens that elevates the requirements and perspectives of disabled people. The project is under the leadership of Naji Mujahid Fenwick, a disabled attorney at Tzedek DC. Recent areas of systemic focus have included social security disability benefits and medical debt.

This grant award comes from the Ford Foundation’s path-breaking Disability Rights Program, in recognition of the fact that “people with disabilities continue to face unfair policies that systematize poverty and persistent prejudice that has segregated them from movements and society.” Moreover, individuals with disabilities experience unique challenges within the legal system and when facing consumer protection and financial problems.

Tzedek DC’s Director Ariel Levinson-Waldman said, “We are especially appreciative of this grant. Despite the clear need, no other DC organizations (and very few nationally) focus specifically on individuals with disabilities who face debt-related problems. We are grateful to the Ford Foundation for its renewed vote of confidence in the ability of Tzedek DC’s Disabilities Community Project to continue to fill that gap. We are excited to grow and deepen the work of our colleagues on the project by Staff Attorney Naji Mujahid Fenwick, Communications Manager Caitlyn Hickman, and colleagues.”

About Ford Foundation

Established in 1936, the Ford Foundation has sought to reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. The Foundation’s Disability Rights Program rests on the premise that to build a world where everyone is equal, we need to recognize how disability interconnects with the issues of social justice and follow the lead of the individuals at the center of the fight. By centering intersectionality and the voices of those most marginalized—from people of color and queer to immigrants and indigenous people—disability justice encourages us to see how society’s diverse systems of oppression reinforce each other and affect every member of the disability community.

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC serves a client base of 95% BIPOC, 66% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free legal and financial counseling services; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing community education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 client households in legal and financial counseling matters and helped catalyze systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

Tzedek DC’s Clean Hands Work Featured In Mother Jones Article

Tzedek DC’s work with coalition partners to reform DC’s Clean Hands law was recently featured in a Mother Jones article on how different state and local taxation policies punish low-income residents.

The piece discusses how DC’s Clean Hands law punishes residents with low incomes who owe more than $100 to the District by preventing them from obtaining occupational and business licenses.

“That's nearly one in five DC workers who must comply with this law or not be able to work in their chosen profession,” said A.J. Huber, a senior staff attorney at Tzedek DC. “That includes barbers, cosmetologists, nurses, social workers, plumbers, HVAC cleaners, food vendors, tattoo artists, and dozens of other, mostly blue-collar occupations.”

The article also highlights Tzedek DC’s role in reforming the Clean Hands law both in the past and in the present. Mother Jones mentions how Tzedek DC’s 2021 report and years of pushing for legislative change led to the elimination of the Clean Hands requirement for driver’s license renewals in 2022.

The article also mentions Tzedek DC’s recent 2023 Locked Out report on the need to eliminate occupational and business licenses from the Clean Hands requirement and the ongoing work by Tzedek DC and coalition partners to create changes to the Clean Hands law.

“I think a lot of people when they just hear about the issue abstractly think, ‘Oh, it's just a bunch of people who don't want to pay their bills,’” Huber said. “And that's really not what it is. It’s people who are in tough financial circumstances and whose circumstances are becoming even tougher because of this law.”

New Year's Resolution for 2024: Check My Credit Reports

New Year's resolutions often focus on personal improvement, health, and achieving financial goals. However, another important resolution should be to regularly check your credit reports! Doing so can help you get your finances on track for the coming year. So be sure to put reviewing your credit reports at the top of your list of New Year's resolutions to ensure a successful year ahead.

The good news is that 2024 may be the best year ever for checking credit reports. This is because Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion all recently announced that from now on, you can access your credit reports for free once a week (it used to be only once a year!). This is a game changer for everyone who cares about their credit.

Whether you want to track your credit and financial health, increase your credit scores, monitor and pay off outstanding debts, or make sure your credit report is free of any errors or inaccuracies that could lower your credit scores, checking your credit report regularly is ESSENTIAL. 

How to Check Your Credit Reports

Online

Visit annualcreditreport.com to access your free weekly credit reports. This is the only website authorized by the federal government to provide this service. If you come across another site that promises a free credit report, it could be a scam and should be reported to the FTC’s fraud report site.  

Once on the website, click on “Request Your Free Credit Reports.” Then click on “Request Your Credit Reports” to fill out the form. Next, pick out which reports you want from one or all three credit bureaus. Before you can access your credit report, you will need to answer questions to verify your identity. This is done to prevent identity theft. 

After you gain access to your credit reports, be sure to save or print your credit report for your records. You can also access your credit reports by phone or mail using the steps below.

By Phone

Call 1-877-322-8228 and request that your credit report be physically mailed to your home.  

By Mail

Complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
PO Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

If you need visual assistance, a credit report can also be accessed in Braille, large print, and audio formats.

What to Do if You Find Errors on Your Credit Report 

If you find any errors or suspicious activity on your credit report, you can immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft division to report it yourself. Or you can seek assistance from non-profit organizations like Tzedek DC or their partners at Working Credit to get help in resolving errors on your credit reports. Tzedek DC has lawyers available to help resolve credit legal issues. Working Credit provides free financial counseling, guidance, support, and advocacy to address credit report inaccuracies to help you improve your overall credit situation.

Errors on a credit report can potentially lower your credit score and disqualify you from financial opportunities that you might otherwise be able to access. While fixing an error on a credit report can sometimes feel like a hassle, it’s worth it!

Resolve to Frequently Check Your Credit Reports in 2024!

As the new year begins, this is the perfect time to get into the habit of checking your credit reports and maintaining financial accuracy. It’s easier to do than ever and is a simple and effective way to protect and increase your financial well-being. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tzedek DC and Allies Applaud Clean Hands Reform Introduced by Councilmember McDuffie

Bill Would End Current Law’s Disqualification of People from Occupational and Small Business Licenses as Punishment for Unpaid Fines and Fees 

Tzedek DC released a report on the need for reform of DC’s Clean Hands Law and, with a coalition of allied organizations, applauded the introduction of reform legislation by DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie.

The current Clean Hands Law automatically disqualifies anyone with over $100 in unpaid fines and fees of any kind from obtaining DC government occupational and small business licenses. It affects more than 125 occupations, representing over 48,000 workers, including barbers, cosmetologists, nurses, social workers, plumbers, HVAC cleaners, food vendors, and dozens of other occupations crucial to the District’s economy.

Nearly one in five DC workers must get an occupational license before they can legally do their jobs. The DC Council’s Office of Racial Equity (CORE) has already concluded that “[b]ecause of the Clean Hands policy, Black residents are disproportionately blocked from occupational licenses [or] starting a business …. This leaves Black residents disproportionately impacted by fines but with fewer opportunities to build wealth that may help them pay debts resulting from fines and fees.” 

Tzedek DC’s report, “Locked Out: How DC Bans Workers with Unpaid Fines from More than 125 Jobs or Starting a Business, and What We Can Do About It,” shares the stories of directly impacted residents, illustrates the policy and legal problems of the current system through data-based explanations, and shows how DC’s counter-productive law makes it an outlier in the region and in the nation. The report concludes with a call to urgent action by DC’s policymakers. A support letter from anti-poverty, civil rights, faith-based, consumer protection, and justice advocacy groups accompanies the report. 

Councilmember McDuffie’s bill, the Clean Hands Economic Expansion and Revitalization Amendment Act of 2023, would, among other things, end the Clean Hands Law’s lockout of occupational and small business licenses for those with unpaid fines and fees to DC. 

“This is an issue of racial equity and good government,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “I’m concerned about the problems caused by the Clean Hands law for both DC workers and DC employers, and I am committed to ensuring our public policy helps reduce, not widen, the unacceptable DC racial gaps in wealth and employment. I appreciate the work done by all the residents and organizations to shed light on this issue. As the stories and extensive data in Tzedek DC’s Locked Out report show, we need reform.”

“Data shows that DC has the largest Black-white unemployment gap in the United States. The Clean Hands Law plays a significant role in perpetuating and widening racial and economic disparities in the District,” said Ariel Levinson-Waldman, Founding President and Director-Counsel of Tzedek DC. “The current law puts us at an economic disadvantage compared to neighboring states. We applaud Councilmember McDuffie for introducing this reform. Impacted DC residents and allies are coming together to support this much-needed change.”

Click here to read Tzedek DC’s Locked Out report.

Click here to read the coalition letter supporting the enactment of the Clean Hands Economic Expansion and Revitalization Amendment Act of 2023. 

Coalition Members

  • 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East 

  • Beloved Community Incubator (BCI)  

  • Building Bridges Across the River / Skyland Workforce Development Center

  • Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) 

  • CARECEN 

  • DC Affordable Law Firm 

  • DC Bar Pro Bono Center 

  • DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI) 

  • DC Justice Lab 

  • DC Volunteer Lawyers Project (DCVLP) 

  • Fines and Fees Justice Center (FFJC) 

  • Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) 

  • Legal Aid Justice Center 

  • Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia  

  • Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) 

  • Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC) 

  • Peter Edelman, Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law and Public Policy, Georgetown University Law Center 

  • Pro Bono Institute 

  • Tzedek DC  

  • United Planning Organization

  • Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) 

  • Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs  

  • Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless (WLCH) 

About Tzedek DC 

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Launched in 2017 as a nonprofit public interest center headquartered at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC also has offices in Ward 8. Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower our DC community client base, comprised of 90% Black residents, 60% women, and 25% disabled DC community members. Our approach combines (i) free direct legal and financial counseling services, (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change, and (iii) providing multi-lingual community education. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 DC client households in legal and financial counseling matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

 Contact: Sam Pannell, Tzedek DC Policy Associate

sp@tzedekdc.org, (256) 715-9345

Tzedek DC Elects Three New Members to Board of Directors 

Tzedek DC is proud to announce the expansion of our Board of Directors through the addition of three outstanding new members, each with demonstrated commitment to Tzedek DC’s mission: Rebecca Azhdam, Joshua Levy, and Robin Nunn.  

Rebecca Azhdam is an Attorney in the Civil Rights and Labor Management Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. She previously practiced law at Tycko & Zavareei and, in 2019, served as a Tycko & Zavareei LLP Public Interest Fellow at Tzedek DC. During her time as a Fellow at Tzedek DC, she was instrumental in our successful efforts to overturn DC’s practice of automatically suspending driver’s licenses for those owing $100 or more in fines and fees to the District. She has since remained active as a Tzedek DC volunteer. 

Josh Levy is a Partner at Levy Firestone Muse LLP, where he specializes in litigation and white-collar matters. He formerly served as counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs and as counsel to U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. He teaches at Georgetown Law and sits on the Board of Directors of the Washington Lawyer’s Committee on Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and on Tzedek DC’s Advisory Council. 

Robin Nunn is a Partner at Linklaters LLP. She is a seasoned trial attorney who has litigated over 300 cases before numerous courts. She is a former public defender, sits on the Board of Directors of the National Endowment for Financial Education, and is also active in DC affairs, including having served as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, a member of the Board of Directors of the Duke Ellington School of Arts, and a member of Tzedek DC’s Advisory Council. 

In a joint statement, Tzedek DC’s Board Chair Rachel Kronowitz, and Founding President and Director-Counsel Ariel Levinson-Waldman, said: 

With the rippling impacts that consumer debt and fines and fees have across DC for vulnerable community members, the need for Tzedek DC’s work—legal, systemic, and educational—is greater than ever. We are honored to welcome Rebecca, Josh, and Robin to the Board. Their unique past and present leadership roles, talents, experiences, perspectives, and public interest commitments will bring additional strength to Tzedek DC’s efforts towards justice. We are at the same time expressing deep gratitude to Irv Nathan and Courtney Weiner, who are each founding Board members and now term-limited as they are completing their seventh year of Board service. Both have made enormous contributions to our work. 

About Tzedek DC 

Drawing from the Jewish teachings of “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue,” Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission responds to the massive wealth gaps in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC serves a client base of 90% African American, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free legal representation and advice; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 client households in legal matters—saving clients an average of $2,625 per full representation case—and helped catalyze systemic reforms with substantial impacts for hundreds of thousands of DC residents. 

Tzedek DC and Stackwell Join Forces to Launch DC Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program

The 12-Month Pilot Program Will Provide Financial Education, Counseling Services, and Seed Capital to Kickstart the Investment Process

Tzedek DC and Stackwell are pleased to announce the launch of the DC Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program, designed to promote greater financial wellness and inclusion for residents of DC. This groundbreaking 12-month pilot program will provide financial education workshops aimed at the specific needs of young adults—like budgeting, managing debt, understanding a paycheck, building credit, and investing—and will provide each eligible participant with $100 in grant funding to start their investment journeys on the Stackwell investment platform.

This pilot program for young adults is open to all DC residents over 18 years old, with a specific focus on residents of Wards 7 and 8, as well as University of the District of Columbia students who are DC, Maryland, or Virginia residents. The program will provide up to 100 participants with a series of financial education workshops broken into 8-week cohorts that are offered four separate times over the course of the next year. Along with a meal at each session, the program will also offer participants access to individualized, free financial counseling sessions and will help program participants establish tailored financial plans and achievable goals.

Tzedek DC and Stackwell are joined in this program by partners that include Industrial Bank, DC’s oldest Black-owned bank, which will host and co-teach a session, and the nonprofit Building Bridges Across the River, which will provide classroom space at its Skyland Workforce Development Center to house the workshops in Southeast DC.

Tzedek DC’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Stephen Jefferson, who grew up in Ward 7 and graduated from H.D. Woodson High School when financial literacy was still an integral part of DC’s public school curriculum, said, “This program is so important. It addresses issues we are hearing about every day in the community from young people and their families. We’re excited to work with these terrific partners and build on our past work in this area for the DC community.”

Forty-eight percent of DC’s population identifies as Black/African American or multi-race. Meanwhile, due to the continuing effects of structural racism, White DC households have a net worth that is 8,100 percent higher than Black DC households. The racial wealth gap directly impacts and exacerbates numerous other racial gaps, including health equity, affordable housing, job opportunities, access to justice, and access to quality education.

In 2017, DC received an “F” on the Champlain College Center for Financial Literacy national report card, which analyzes each state’s efforts to advance financial literacy for high school students. Tzedek DC, Stackwell, and their partners are actively engaging with DC community members to remedy this shortcoming by prioritizing financial access and inclusion for young Black adults in DC.

“The racial wealth gap is the social justice issue of our time,” said Trevor Rozier-Byrd, Founder and CEO at Stackwell. “We are excited to work with the partner organizations in this pilot to make a positive impact on the financial well-being of young Black adults in DC. This pilot program will equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate their financial futures, achieve financial stability, and drive impact across key social issues for themselves, their families, and community for generations to come.”

For more information about the DC Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program or to register to participate, please visit the DC Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program registration page.

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Launched in 2017 by founder and current Director Ariel Levinson-Waldman as a nonprofit public interest center headquartered at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC also has offices in Ward 8. Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower our DC community client base, comprised of 90% Black residents, 60% women, and 25% disabled DC community members. Our approach combines (i) free direct legal and financial counseling services, (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change, and (iii) providing multi-lingual community education. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 DC client households in legal and financial counseling matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

About Stackwell

Stackwell Capital, Inc., is a leading fintech company that has created a digital investment platform for the Black community. With a mission to eliminate the racial wealth gap in America, Stackwell provides the financial investment tools and guidance necessary to help build lasting wealth, equity, and equal opportunity. Stackwell has developed a unique ecosystem of strategic partners in financial services, higher education, professional sports, and created an ever-growing NIL student-athlete ambassador program. Stackwell was a member of the 2022 Financial Solutions Lab and MassChallenge U.S. Early-Stage accelerator programs. For more information, visit stackwellcapital.com.

Media Contacts

Tzedek DC
Caitlyn Hickman
ch@tzedekdc.org

Stackwell Capital, Inc.
media@stackwellcapital.com

Tzedek DC's Medical Debt Project Featured in Washington Lawyer

An article in the November-December 2023 issue of Washington Lawyer magazine, titled “The Crushing Weight of Medical Debt,” features Tzedek DC's work, with a focus on our medical debt project. It includes quotes from Director Ariel Levinson-Waldman, Equal Justice Works Fellow Jennifer Holloway, and Community Outreach Coordinator Stephen Jefferson, with a discussion of both how medical debt is a racial and disability justice issue and of systemic solutions that Tzedek DC is championing. 

The full article is available here.