Texas Appleseed

The Organization's Criminal Justice Project worked to develop policies and practices to ensure justice does not hinge on one's race or wealth; incarceration and monitoring are last resorts; and the legal system is not used as a tool to inflict long-term negative consequences on people's lives, such as not having the ability to access housing, employment, and education. The Organization supported policies and practices that are data-driven and have been shown to be effective, are in line with best practices, and are written and implemented in a manner that promotes equity and justice for all Texans.

As part of the K-12 work, the Organization advocated for law and policy changes at the state level, as well as the local and school district level to close pathways for students to dropout and eliminate contact with the criminal legal system. The Organization worked with coalitions, community organizations, schools, teachers, and students from a policy perspective to foster safe and supportive environments where all students can thrive, regardless of race, income, background, or ZIP code. For higher education, work focused on diversity in the legal profession and equitable access to law school for all qualifies students.

The Organization advocated for just and equitable solutions to problems that negatively impact the financial well-being of Texans, such as predatory payday and auto title lending, harmful debt collection practices, economic abuse, and other financial challenges. The Organization partnered with community, statewide, and national organizations to support local needs and expand the impact through collaborative efforts.

The Organization worked to ensure that all Texans are able to recover in the wake of a natural disaster, that all communities are rebuilt to be more resilient, and that all families have the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, and thriving neighborhoods with equitable access to opportunity.

The Organization worked to craft policy solutions that focus on preventing young people from becoming homeless, successfully intervening if they do, and helping remove obstacles for youth experiencing homelessness so they can find stability.

The Organization worked to protect the rights of children and youth in the justice system by focusing on closing the remaining state secure juvenile facility lockups because they endanger youth and do not promote their rehabilitation or public safety. The Organization supported high-quality, community-based, and research-based interventions and treatment that involved young peoples' families and communities over the isolation and confinement found in state facilities.

Other programs and activities provided to promote social, economic, and racial justice for all Texans.