Appleseed Foundation Thriving in Difficult Times  

In a time when good news can feel /rare, Appleseed Centers are proving that victories can still be won as a result of determined advocacy. Earlier this year, Alabama Appleseed secured the release of James Jones, a 77-year-old man with cancer who served 43 years in prison under Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act.

As health care costs continue to skyrocket nationwide and with devastating federal cuts to programs like Medicaid on the horizon, New Jersey Appleseed published the Medical Debt Manual, hosted on endmeddebtnj.org, which guides individuals — regardless of income, legal status, or technical know-how — through challenging surprise bills, appealing denials, and negotiating debt settlements.

In Kansas, Appleseed secured state funding for Summer EBT administration starting in the summer of 2025, ensuring children don’t go hungry during summer vacation. Missouri Appleseed achieved four big legislative victories this spring: eliminating regressive sales taxes on hygiene and baby products, mandating comprehensive prenatal care, and banning restraints on pregnant inmates, ending asset seizure for incarceration costs, and capping jail phone call rates.

Thanks to Oklahoma Appleseed’s successful passage of the Oklahoma Survivor’s Act, ten clients were approved for resentencing hearings, including Lisa Rae Moss, the first person resentenced under the new law after serving 34 years behind bars.

Meanwhile, Appleseed Mexico’s reach has been global – they both participated in a leadership program in the Philippines and shared their “Financial Inclusion Protocol for CSOs in Mexico” at a forum in Mumbai this spring.

At the national level, Appleseed just released an updated “Deportation Preparation Manual for Immigrant Families,” a free bilingual guide to help immigrant families plan ahead to protect their kids and finances in the event of detention or deportation, with an interactive website launching this August. Every win is proof that good news is still out there, and together we are making it happen!