Justice in Aging, the only national legal organization focused on ending senior poverty and advancing equity for older adults, received a $3 million gift from Mackenzie Scott in late 2021. Justice in Aging is grateful and excited to share this news as it enters its 50th year serving low-income older adults. This gift will enable Justice in Aging to deepen and broaden its Advancing Equity in Aging Initiative, through which the organization ensures all of its work advances equity for those who have experienced structural discrimination. The gift will also increase capacity for the organization’s ongoing health care, economic security, housing, and elder rights advocacy.
Justice in Aging ensures that older adults can live with dignity, regardless of their financial circumstances. Using its expertise in the laws and policies that govern the programs older adults rely on, and its deep understanding of the stark realities facing low-income seniors, Justice in Aging pursues systemic changes in the law and regulations through impact litigation and administrative and legislative advocacy. Additionally, Justice in Aging provides trainings, case consultations, and written materials to more than 50,000 direct service providers and lawyers serving older adult clients.
“To receive this gift as we kick off our 50th year is an incredible vote of confidence in the impact we’ve had over the years and the leadership role we are taking in advancing equity, especially racial equity, for low-income older adults,” said Kevin Prindiville, Executive Director, Justice in Aging.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated just how deeply inequities are embedded across all systems of our society. Unequal access to health care, discrimination, unfair economic policies, and more have placed many older adults from communities of color at a disproportionate risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19.
“This transformational gift will allow Justice in Aging to expand its proven track record of impact. The gift enables us to expand our efforts to build the world we want to see—one in which everyone in America can age with dignity and justice,” said Hannah Lieberman, Chair of Justice in Aging’s Board of Directors.
