Breaking Barriers for Children: How Pro Bono Attorneys Help Massachusetts Advocates for Children Change Lives
Article
Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and reach their potential. But for too many families in Massachusetts, that promise feels out of reach.
When a child struggles in school, whether because of a disability, language barrier, trauma, or discrimination, parents often find themselves fighting a system they barely understand. That’s where Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) steps in.
For decades, MAC has stood beside families who face the steepest challenges. With a mission to remove barriers to educational and life opportunities for children and youth, the organization fights for students who are too often left behind: children with disabilities, those living in poverty, English Learners, students of color, immigrant youth, and children impacted by trauma.
The Power of Pro Bono Advocacy
Each case is deeply personal. Each victory can change a life.
In one recent case, a MAC pro bono attorney represented the guardian of a 7-year-old boy diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and mental health challenges. The child had been hospitalized several times for unsafe behaviors and was falling further behind academically. Through the attorney’s advocacy, the school district agreed to provide the boy with a one-on-one paraprofessional, home-based behavioral improvement services ABA programming, an independent neuropsychological evaluation, and a therapeutic summer program. For the first time, he began making meaningful progress in school, and his family finally felt hopeful about his future.
In another case, Juan, a bilingual middle school student and child of immigrant parents, had survived significant sexual trauma and bullying. He was suspended, hospitalized, and told he didn’t qualify for special education services. A MAC pro bono attorney listened to his mother’s fears, investigated the case, and successfully secured an extended evaluation. Juan was found eligible for special education and placed in a therapeutic day school where he is now thriving.
Partnering to Expand Access to Justice
Through the Boston Bar Association’s long-standing partnership with MAC, attorneys receive the training, mentorship, and support they need to advocate for children and families across the Commonwealth. Together, the BBA and MAC empower members of the legal community to use their skills in the most impactful way, helping children access the education and opportunities they deserve.
This collaboration is part of the BBA’s broader pro bono mission: to strengthen access to justice by mobilizing lawyers to serve those most in need. By connecting attorneys to organizations like MAC, the BBA ensures that more families can find a path forward and that more children can thrive.
Training and Support for Volunteers
MAC offers a Basic Rights in Special Education Law training, an accessible entry point for attorneys interested in this rewarding area of law. The training provides an overview of the IEP process, special education rights, and common issues in practice.
Pro bono volunteers are also provided with malpractice insurance, mentoring, technical assistance, and ongoing professional development opportunities. Advanced trainings, conferences, and a network of peers ensure that every volunteer is supported throughout their casework.
“I learned a great deal around special education law due to MAC’s coaching and continuing education, including MAC’s statewide systemic advocacy around education access” said one volunteer. “I feel I made a significant impact on the life of the family I worked with.”
A Chance to Change a Child’s Future
Pro bono opportunities with MAC vary in time commitment but share one common thread: the chance to change a child’s future. Each case represents not just a legal victory, but a powerful affirmation of what the profession stands for: using the law to ensure that every child, regardless of circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive.
Interested in getting involved?
Learn more about volunteering with Massachusetts Advocates for Children and how you can make a difference. Click the link here to see more details on how you can get involved.
