We started a new tradition at our firm WealthChoice in 2020 where we make an annual donation on behalf of our clients to a nonprofit making a difference to society. Rather than choose the organization to support, this year we asked our clients to share with us a nonprofit they would like for us to support on their behalf. We received over 21 suggestions, all truly worthy organizations. In the end, the majority of our clients chose Equal Justice Initiative as the recipient of our donation.
What is Equal Justice Initiative?
EJI is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. They challenge the death penalty and excessive punishment and provide reentry assistance to formerly incarcerated people.
EJI was founded in 1989 by Bryan Stevenson, public interest attorney, author of the book Just Mercy, and Professor of Law at New York University School of Law. The organization he founded is focused on helping the poor, incarcerated, and condemned. As a parent, I find the work they are doing to help children in adult prisons truly sobering. Before EJI launched a litigation campaign in 2006 to challenge death-in-prison sentences imposed on children, 3000 people were sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for offenses they committed when they were 17 or younger, some as young as 13. EJI argued before the Supreme Court to have children considered differently in sentencing, and they were successful in this challenge.
Another area where EJI has made a difference is in the area of wrongful convictions. Since 1989 they have helped exonerate 367 people through DNA evidence, each one of these people having spent more than 8 years in prison for crimes they did not commit. The stories of the lives that have been altered by wrongful convictions are impactful. This one of a young woman wrongly convicted for her mother’s death was especially heart-rending.
At WealthChoice we believe in giving back and choose to support organizations that effect change-from empowering women executives to supporting less fortunate members of our society. This year we are pleased to add Equal Justice Initiative to our roster of those organizations we support who are making a difference.
