Tzedek DC Celebrates Successful Amicus: Judge Orders CFPB to Halt Dismantling

On March 28, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to reinstate and preserve the agency’s contracts, workforce, data, and operational capacity and to continue all activities required by law.  

As the Court explained, the CFPB and its acting director “were fully engaged in a hurried effort to dismantle and disable the agency entirely... in complete disregard for the decision Congress made 15 years ago, which was spurred by the devastating financial crisis of 2008 and embodied in the United States Code, that the agency must exist and that it must perform specific functions to protect the borrowing public.” The Court found that its order was necessary because “there is a substantial risk that the defendants will complete the destruction of the agency completely in violation of law well before the Court can rule on the merits, and it will be impossible to rebuild.” 

This outcome is tremendous not only for the nation’s consumers, to whom the CFPB has returned over $26 billion through its crackdowns on illegal activities, but also for the DC community that Tzedek DC serves. Tzedek DC’s amicus (friend of the court) brief detailed how Tzedek DC relies on the CFPB's rules, regulations, and services when representing clients, tracking national trends, engaging in systemic advocacy, and educating both our staff and partners and members of our client community.  

In its decision, the Court noted that it “had the benefit” of Tzedek DC’s amicus brief, a brief from 203 members of Congress, and a third from the District of Columbia and 21 states. Tzedek DC’s brief was the only amicus filed by a nonprofit organization. 

Although we celebrate this ruling, the fight is not over. The federal government has already appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, and even after the appeal, the underlying case may proceed to discovery and further litigation on the merits. Tzedek DC will continue to fight for the CFPB's survival and the ability of its workers to do their jobs. 

Tzedek DC is grateful to the brave plaintiffs and counsel who filed the lawsuit and to Kaiser PLLC, which served as co-counsel on Tzedek DC’s amicus brief.  

The Court's opinion is here.  

Tzedek DC’s earlier update about its amicus brief is here. 

Tzedek DC’s amicus brief is here. 

About Tzedek DC 

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law and with an office in Ward 8, Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower our client base, which is comprised of 90% Black people, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. 

Anjali Phillips Joins Tzedek DC’s Board of Directors

Tzedek DC is proud to announce the expansion of our Board of Directors through the addition of Anjali Phillips, who brings a remarkable combination of senior government, ethics, legal, and nonprofit leadership experience to our Board.

Anjali Phillips served until January 2025 as Deputy Counsel to Vice President Kamala Harris and led the ethics program for the Office of the Vice President. She previously served in the Biden administration as Special Assistant to the President and Associate Counsel on the White House Counsel’s Office’s Ethics and Compliance team.

Before working in government, Anjali served as the Senior Director for Development & Communications at the DC nonprofit Citybridge Education. Prior to that, Anjali was Senior Counsel at the American Bankers Association and, before that practiced law at two major law firms and served as a law clerk for a federal district court judge.

Anjali, who is a DC-area native and longtime DC resident, has previously served on the board of the Greater DC Diaper Bank, the Advisory Council for the DC Bar Foundation, and the Leadership Council for DC Greens.

In a joint statement, Tzedek DC’s Board Chair Rachel Kronowitz and Founding President and Director-Counsel Ariel Levinson-Waldman said, “We are honored to welcome Anjali to the Board. Anjali has a terrific combination of head, heart, and ethics, and will bring additional strength to Tzedek DC’s Board stewardship and strategy in a time when the organization’s work is needed more than ever.”

About Tzedek DC 

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower our client base, which is comprised of 90% Black people, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management.

Tzedek DC, Industrial Bank, and Stackwell Capital Expand Financial Empowerment Program

 Registration open now for classes starting March 18!  

Tzedek DC, in partnership with Industrial Bank and Stackwell Capital, is announcing that the second year of our DC Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program is launching starting March 18.  

The program is provided free of cost to participants. The program offers in-depth financial education workshops, free financial and credit counseling, and meals at each in-person workshop. Additionally, participants receive $100 in seed money in a Stackwell Capital investment account created for them, plus three years of account administrative costs covered, to begin their investment journeys.  

This program is open to all DC residents over 18 years old, with a specific focus on residents of Wards 7 and 8, and also to any University of the District of Columbia students who are DC, Maryland, or Virginia residents. 

The program has a strong track record. 98% of participants who completed the program’s pilot sessions in 2023-24 said they made changes to their financial habits or decisions as a result of this program, and 93% said they would recommend the program to friends and family.

Additionally, participants shared that the program gave them hope and a positive outlook on their financial futures. One participant said that he “used to feel like there was little I could do to affect my personal finances before I joined this program, but now I feel as if I have more tools at my disposal,” and another shared that the program taught her that “there is a solution within my reach.”  

The upcoming year of the program (starting March 18, 2025) offers eight sessions, four entirely in-person and four virtual. Each session has eight workshops, for a total of 16 hours. We are offering both in-person and virtual sessions to help increase program accessibility and inclusion. We will continue hosting the in-person sessions in different Wards around the district, with a particular focus on Wards 7 and 8.  

To register for one of the two immediately upcoming sessions of the program, go to one of the following Eventbrite pages:  

About Tzedek DC 

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Launched in 2017 as a nonprofit public interest center headquartered at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC also has offices in Ward 8. Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower our DC community client base, comprised of 90% Black residents, 60% women, and 25% disabled DC community members. Our approach combines (i) free direct legal and financial counseling services, (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change, and (iii) providing multi-lingual community education. Tzedek DC has served over 5,000 DC client households in legal and financial counseling matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents. 

About Industrial Bank 

Industrial Bank is the oldest Black-owned financial institution in the District of Columbia and is one of the largest African American and family-owned banks in the United States. Since 1934, Industrial Bank has been a strong partner and advocate for small and large businesses, homeowners, and personal banking account customers. The Bank is a certified Minority Development Institution and SBA Preferred lender providing various deposit and loan products. Industrial Bank’s unwavering commitment to serve and financially empower the marginalized has also gained it the designation of a Community Development Financial Institution by the U.S. Treasury. The Bank’s financial literacy program dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap has reached hundreds of organizations and individuals from all ages and circumstances. Industrial Bank has branches in Washington, DC, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. Learn more at industrial-bank.com.  

About Stackwell 

Stackwell is a fintech platform harnessing the power of investing to make wealth-building possible for everyone. For too long, too many people have felt that investing just isn’t for people like them. That’s why Stackwell’s easy-to-use app and community-driven programs are designed to break down barriers to financial wellness and foster investing confidence. When more people have the opportunity to invest and grow their wealth, entire communities thrive.  

For more information, visit stackwellcapital.com.  

Tzedek DC Joins Court Fight to Stop Illegal Dismantling of CFPB

Tzedek DC files a brief as a friend of the court in support of allies seeking to stop the dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Tzedek DC has filed an amicus—or friend of the court—brief in federal court urging it to end the illegal work stoppages and employee firings at the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The shuttering of the CFPB would harm Tzedek DC, Tzedek DC clients, and DC residents.

The brief, filed in support of the National Treasury Employees Union and other allies’ suit seeking relief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, shows how:

  • CFPB’s work bolsters Tzedek DC’s ability to ensure DC residents with low and moderate incomes can obtain legal protection in consumer-related matters, which disproportionately impact Black, Latino, and disabled residents.

  • CFPB guidance provides tools to protect the rights of clients experiencing debt, discrimination in lending, scams, and other consumer-related concerns.

  • CFPB’s public-facing resources and materials benefit DC residents and the general public.

“We stand with DC residents and people and organizations nationwide who have been rallying for the CFPB’s continued work and to stop the attempted unlawful dismantling by its current leadership,” said Tzedek DC Founding President and Director-Counsel Ariel Levinson-Waldman. “The 2008 financial crisis showed why we need a federal consumer financial cop on the beat.”

Since the CFPB began, DC residents have filed 31,796 complaints to the Bureau, more per capita than nearly every state. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of these complaints increased by 90%.

Tzedek DC’s Marissa Ditkowsky, Erik Goodman, Sarah Hollender, A.J. Huber, and Ariel Levinson-Waldman were on the brief, and Tzedek DC thanks our outstanding pro bono co-counsel Bill Pittard and Noah Brozinsky at Kaiser PLLC for partnering on this amicus brief.

To view the amicus brief, click here.

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower our client base, which is comprised of 90% Black people, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 4,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

Get Your Refund: Claim the DC Homeowner and Renter Property Tax Credit (HRPTC) (Schedule H) Today!

Start the New Year with Extra Cash and Smart Financial Moves 

Did you know that if you rented or owned a DC home that you lived in during all of 2024, you may qualify for DC’s Schedule H Tax Credit?

This credit is designed to help homeowners and renters with low to moderate incomes offset the cost of housing. What’s even more exciting is that you can claim up to three years of Schedule H tax credits, which, for some people, could mean thousands of dollars back in their pocket. With tax season right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of this valuable benefit—and we’re here to help!

What Is the DC Schedule H Tax Credit? 

The DC Schedule H Tax Credit, also called the DC Homeowner and Renter Property Tax Credit (HRPTC), provides up to $1,375 in property tax relief for qualifying residents (the amount varies by tax year). Whether you rent or own your home, this credit is based on the amount of property tax you pay (or help your landlord pay by paying them rent) compared to your income. 

Who Qualifies? 

You may qualify for the 2024 Schedule H Tax Credit if you meet the following criteria: 

  • You were a DC resident from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. 

  • Your 2024 federal adjusted gross income (AGI) was $63,900 or less in 2024 (or $87,100 or less if you are 70 years of age or older). 

  • You are not claimed as a Dependent on someone else’s federal, state, or DC income tax return (unless you reached age 65 on or before December 31, 2024). 

  • The property you lived in is subject to real property taxes. Please note that certain properties, such as public housing or those owned by religious organizations or nonprofits, are exempt from taxes. 

When is Schedule H Due? 

The 2024 Schedule H form is due by April 15, 2025. However, you have three years from the due date to file and claim the credit. That means that April 15, 2025, is the final deadline to file Schedule H for the 2021 tax year (January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021).

If you’re not sure whether you qualify, we can help you determine your eligibility during a financial counseling session.

How to Claim the Credit 

To claim the DC Schedule H Tax Credit: 

  1.  Complete the Schedule H form when filing your DC individual income tax return. If you have already submitted your tax return for a previous year without the Schedule H form, you may file an amended return to include Schedule H. 

  2. If you aren’t required to file an income tax return, you can still file the Schedule H form by itself to claim the credit. 

  3. Need assistance? We can guide you on where to file your tax forms or connect you to trusted tax preparation resources.

Financial Tips to Make the Most of Your Tax Refund 

Tax refunds are a great opportunity to build financial stability. Consider these benefits of saving a portion of your refund:

  • Emergency Fund: Protect yourself from unexpected expenses. 

  • Debt Repayment: Reduce your high-interest debt and save on interest payments. 

  • Future Financial Goals: Start working toward future goals, such as homeownership, education, or retirement. 

If you need help creating a savings plan or deciding how to use your refund to achieve your 2025 financial goals, our financial counseling team is here to help! 

Act Now!

Contact us today for free financial counseling and legal guidance. 

Don’t leave money on the table! Schedule a financial counseling appointment with us today to: 

  • Determine if you qualify for the DC Schedule H or any other Tax Credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. 

  •  Get guidance on where to file your tax return. 

  • Learn strategies to save and maximize your refund. 

Your tax refund can be more than just a one-time payment—it can be a stepping stone to financial security. Let us help you make the most of it. Submit a direct inquiry for our services here: Tzedek DC Legal and Financial Counseling Services Inquiry

Visit tzedekdc.org or call us at (202) 274-7386 to learn more.

Tzedek DC Defends Rule Removing Medical Debt from Credit Reports

Tzedek DC and allies have filed in federal court to defend the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule that will, if upheld, remove an estimated $49 billion in medical debt from the credit reports of 15 million Americans.

Tzedek DC has joined forces with DC resident and father Harvey Coleman, as well as Texas resident and truck driver David Deeds, and the nonprofit group New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, to defend the rule, with the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) serving as pro bono counsel.

This coalition filed the motion yesterday seeking permission to intervene on behalf of the CFPB in the lawsuit previously filed by a debt collector, Specialized Collection Systems, Inc., and a trade group for debt collectors, ACA International, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas seeking to overturn the Medical Debt rule. The pleadings underscore the necessity of intervention with the CFPB under a shutdown order, which makes the CFPB unable or unwilling to defend its medical debt rule.

The medical debt rule, finalized by the CFPB earlier this year, bans the inclusion of medical bills on credit reports used by lenders and prohibits lenders from using medical information in their lending decisions. This rule, initially set to become effective on March 14, was the product of a lengthy notice and comment period in which Tzedek DC participated.

“The medical debt rule is an important protection for DC residents like Mr. Coleman and the many other people we serve in our legal and financial counseling work who are burdened by the stresses of medical debt,” said Tzedek DC’s Founding President and Director-Counsel Ariel Levinson-Waldman. “The CFPB’s rule came about after careful consideration of ours and many other interested parties’ comments, and its implementation will ensure medical debt doesn’t continue to harm Americans’ access to credit, housing, and jobs. Tzedek DC is proud to stand with NCLC and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty in support of the CFPB’s important rule. We’re especially grateful to people like Mr. Coleman and Mr. Deeds and all the allies from around the country for lending their voices to the continued, critical need for this protection.”

Since this lawsuit was filed by the debt collector and its trade association, the Acting Director of the CFPB has told CFPB staff to stop all work, including litigation, and instructed CFPB counsel not to make any appearances in litigation except to seek a pause in proceedings. The CFPB’s rule has also been challenged by an association of credit reporting agencies in another case filed in Texas, and that case has been paused. 

Having medical debt on a credit report can make it difficult for individuals to secure lines of credit, including mortgages, car loans, and credit cards. The CFPB has found that medical debts are not predictive of creditworthiness, and amounts of medical debt listed on credit reports have often been inaccurate. Further, medical debt can cause anxiety and depression and is associated with worse physical health. Medical debt is also the leading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. Upholding the CFPB medical debt credit reporting rule would therefore provide vital protection for consumers.

The legal memorandum in support of the motion to intervene is here. DC resident Harvey Coleman’s Declaration is here. Tzedek DC’s Declaration is here. NCLC’s press release is here.

Related Resources

  1. Press release: 100+ Groups Support the CFPB’s Removal of Medical Debt From Credit Reports, Aug. 12, 2024 

  2. Press release: CFPB Proposes Banning Medical Debt from Credit Reports, June 11, 2024 

  3. Press release: Consumer Bureau Announces Groundbreaking Plan to Protect Americans from the Devastating Effects of Medical Debt, Sept. 21, 2023 

  4. Report: Health Care Plastic: The Risks of Medical Credit Cards, Apr. 27, 2023 

  5. Report: The Racial Health and Wealth Gap: Impact of Medical Debt on Black Families, Mar. 9, 2022

About Tzedek DC, Our Medical Debt Work, and the Health Equity Fund 

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, and with offices also in Ward 8, Tzedek DC is a nonprofit organization. Our mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles, including those arising from medical debt. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black residents, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice, and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 5,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

A portion of Tzedek DC’s medical debt work is funded by the Health Equity Fund, as administered by the Greater Washington Community Foundation in partnership with the Health Equity Committee. The Health Equity Fund is designated to improve the health outcomes and health equity of residents of the District of Columbia. The historic fund is one of the largest philanthropic funds of any kind focused on community-based nonprofits that serve District residents. Given that 80 percent of DC’s health outcomes are driven by social, economic, and other factors, compared to just 20 percent by clinical care, the Health Equity Fund adopts an economic mobility frame to address the root causes of health inequity and advances a sustainable network of people, organizations, and projects to ensure equitable health outcomes for Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color and other marginalized populations in DC.

We are especially grateful to the Health Equity Fund for the support and shared vision of health equity and racial and economic justice. 

MLK Service Day: A Day of Giving

Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’’’ On January 26, Tzedek DC organized over 30 volunteers, including representatives from CARECEN, Washington Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, DCPS Persists, CSOSA, PJ Library, UDC Law, and Tzedek DC, to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

Together, we created 250 activity kits filled with handmade activity books, crayons, pencils, sticker sheets, coloring notebooks, and postcards to give to kids with messages of hope and affirmance. These kits can help bring children in the DMV some joy while they wait for their parents to receive vital legal and social services.

The kits went to our partners who tirelessly advocate for DC residents with low incomes to obtain rights in the workplace, education system, and immigration system, including First Shift Justice Project, HIAS, and CentroNia.

Want to help make an impact in the next chapter of this project? We're now seeking volunteers to help distribute kits to nonprofits and legal clinics in the DMV area, including at DC Superior Courts Childcare Center, Georgetown Health Justice Alliance Perinatal LAW Project, DC KinCare Alliance, Kids Spot Waiting Room, Safe Passage Center, and more.

Please contact jp@tzedekdc.org for more information on these volunteer opportunities.

Now more than ever, let’s work to lift our neighbors up!

Stay Scam-Free This Holiday Season!

The holiday season is a time for giving, celebrating, and connecting with loved ones. Unfortunately, it’s also a peak season for scammers looking to exploit your generosity, excitement, and goodwill. This month, Tzedek DC shines a light on several scams that can dampen your holiday spirit and offers tips to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Holiday Shopping Scams 

From too-good-to-be-true deals to fake online stores, holiday shopping scams are everywhere. Before making your purchases, keep these tips in mind:

  • Research Before You Buy: Search online for the seller’s name alongside words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint” to test their legitimacy.

  • Read the Fine Print: Understand the seller’s refund policies, return shipping costs, and restocking fees.

  • Use Credit Cards: Credit cards provide extra protections and allow you to dispute charges if something goes wrong.

  • Avoid Unusual Payment Methods: Never ever pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps—these are red flags for scams.

Fake Delivery Notifications 

With holiday deliveries on the rise, scammers send fake delivery messages to steal your personal information or install malware on your devices. Here’s how to stay safe:

  • Don’t Click on Links: If you receive a suspicious delivery notice, avoid clicking on any links and immediately delete the text or email.

  • Contact Shipping Companies Directly: Use trusted contact information on the shipping confirmation email to verify the delivery message.

  • Check Order Status: Visit the retailer’s website to track your order directly.

Charity Scams: Give with Confidence 

The holidays are a season of giving, but scammers often use fake charities to steal donations. Before giving:

  • Be Cautious with Payment Methods:  Do not make any donations via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

  • Resist Pressure: Legitimate charities won’t rush you into donating. Take time to research and verify their legitimacy.

Want to give wisely? Check out the FTC’s guide to avoiding charity scams.

The 'Secret Sister' Gift Exchange Is a Scam 

Every holiday season, the “Secret Sister” gift exchange resurfaces, promising up to 36 gifts in exchange for sending one. Whether it’s bottles of wine, $10 gifts, or even gifts for pets, this pyramid scheme is illegal and often leaves participants empty-handed.

How It Works:

  1. You’re invited via social media or email to join an exchange.

  2. You provide personal information like your mailing address or email.

  3. You send a gift or money, expecting multiple gifts in return.

Why It’s a Scam:

  • Pyramid schemes collapse when recruitment slows, leaving participants without gifts or money.

  • Sharing personal information exposes you to identity theft and future scams.

  • Participating is illegal under U.S. laws.

Protect Yourself: 

  • Ignore the invitation—don’t participate or share the post.

  • Never share your personal information with strangers online.

Artificial Christmas Tree Scams

Looking for the perfect pre-lit tree to brighten your holidays? Scammers are targeting shoppers searching for deals on artificial Christmas trees. BBB Scam Tracker (run by the Better Business Bureau) has received reports of online ads offering significant discounts on full-size, pre-lit trees. After ordering, shoppers never receive their tree and struggle to get refunds.

Before buying an artificial tree from an unfamiliar website:

  • Check the Company: Look for the BBB Seal to see if the business is BBB Accredited.

  • Verify the Website: Make sure you are using the company’s legitimate website.

  • Confirm Contact Information: Make sure the business has working phone numbers or email addresses.

  • Search BBB Scam Tracker: Check if others have reported similar scams.

Spread Holiday Cheer Without Fear

The holidays should be a time of joy and connection, not stress over scams. Protect yourself and your loved ones by staying vigilant, sharing these tips, and reporting suspicious activity.

Have questions or need assistance? 

Tzedek DC is here to support you. Contact us today for free financial counseling and legal guidance. Together, we can ensure a safe and joyful holiday season for all. Submit a direct inquiry for our services here: Tzedek DC Legal and Financial Counseling Services Inquiry.

Visit tzedekdc.org or call us at (202) 274-7386 to learn more.

All of us at Tzedek DC wish you a safe, happy, and scam-free holiday season! 

Hats Off to the 2024 Graduates!

Tzedek DC’s Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program

On November 12th, Tzedek DC celebrated the most recent graduates of its Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program. The event highlighted the accomplishments, determination, and growth of program participants, who are the latest cohort in the group of 56 who have completed the program during this 12-month pilot program. It was a memorable and joyful evening, with graduates hearing from Ward 8 residents Lashawn Starkes and Tamia Perry, alumnae of the program; Kamal Ali, Owner of Ben’s Chili Bowl; and DC Councilmember Robert White. 

The program and graduation were covered by Fox 5, WUSA 9, and WTOP. Check out the highlight reel below!

The program was featured on FOX 5, WUSA 9, and WTOP in live news segments. WTOP also printed an article, available here.

During this 16-hour, eight-week program, the graduates participated in intensive financial education workshops, ranging from spending plans to credit to savings and investment, to scams and frauds. Participants also received free financial and credit counseling, as well as $100 in seed money in a Stackwell Capital investment account created for them, plus four years of account administrative costs covered. 

One participant was able to improve their credit score by 100 points over the course of the program. Another participant said that personal finance “is not as hard as I thought, it isn't inaccessible, and financial freedom are for people that look like me.” This graduate’s sentiment is shared by many others, with 98% of participants saying that they have made changes to their financial habits or decisions as a result of the Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program–and 93% of participants saying they would recommend this program to their family and friends. 

The Tzedek DC team could not be more proud of our graduates, whose hard work, pursuit of knowledge, and perseverance led them to this moment of celebration. 

Special thank yous to our program partners Stackwell Capital, Industrial Bank, and cohort/graduation host Emma’s Torch for your unwavering support and dedication to financial empowerment for DC residents! 

For information on how to enroll in a 2025 cohort (in person or virtual), contact Sophie Adler at sa@tzedekdc.org.

DC Residents Achieve Wins as Clean Hands Litigation Concludes

DC workers who challenged the constitutionality of the DC government’s Clean Hands Law in federal court have elected to withdraw their lawsuit following a number of favorable recent developments. These include significant changes to that law enacted by the DC Council as well as all plaintiffs’ recent success either in receiving their requested occupational or business licenses or in getting assurances from the District government that their licenses will not be denied based on outstanding fines and fees.

In the wake of the suit filed by Tzedek DC, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, the DC government has changed its guidance covering eligibility for occupational and professional licensing—specifically, changing the language on the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) website to indicate that traffic and parking debt will not be included when determining an occupational or business license applicant’s Clean Hands eligibility.

Further, plaintiffs in the case have also now received assurances from DC officials that vendors’ tax-related debt accrued after September 30, 2023, will be excluded and/or forgiven, during the District’s consideration of the vendors’ eligibility for its “amnesty” program.

The complaint in Ayele v. District of Columbia was filed on behalf of seven individual workers, clients who were ineligible for business or occupational licenses under the Clean Hands Law. The clients listed in the complaint included a speech pathologist, aspiring small business owners, and street vendors.

At the time the suit was filed, the Clean Hands Law automatically disqualified anyone with over $100 in unpaid fines and fees of any kind from obtaining DC government-issued occupational and business licenses. The law affected more than 125 occupations, representing over 48,000 workers—nearly one-fifth of all DC workers—including food vendors, barbers, cosmetologists, nurses, social workers, plumbers, and dozens of other occupations crucial to the District’s economy. The Clean Hands law’s disproportionate impact on low-income workers and the law’s role in exacerbating racial income inequality was detailed in Tzedek DC’s 2023 report, “Locked Out: How DC Bans Workers with Unpaid Fines from More than 125 Jobs or Starting a Business, and What We Can Do About It”.

Two original plaintiffs in the case were subsequently able to resolve their occupational licensing issues entirely. One, Shawn Cheatham, is a Black Air Force veteran living in Ward 8 who has long desired to open a small plumbing business. Another, Stephanie Carrington, is a Black DC resident and trained speech pathologist who dreamed of opening up shop in her own community. However, because they both owed the District over $100 in parking and traffic fines, the language of the Clean Hands Law automatically disqualified them from starting their businesses. Following OTR’s change in guidance, and working with Tzedek DC and the Washington Lawyers Committee, Mr. Cheatham and Ms. Carrington were both able to obtain the licenses they needed and dismissed their claims.

Each of the other plaintiffs has now received significant assurances from District officials that any debts not covered by the District’s “amnesty” program will be forgiven or excluded from Clean Hands consideration. The five vendor plaintiffs, all of whom are immigrants, worked for years as DC street vendors in the District and want to continue doing so, but the Clean Hands Law has made this impossible. Four of these plaintiffs—Medhin Ayele, Kahssay Ghebrebrhan, Fasika Mehabe, and Hiwet Tesfamichael—faced exorbitant street vending fees that they were unable to pay due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related District shut down. A fifth, Antonia Diaz de Sanchez, faced a $3,000 fine that was issued in error to her vending truck. These workers now have a path forward in light of the assurances provided by the DC government during the lawsuit.

The decision to withdraw their case also reflects recent significant, positive changes in DC’s Clean Hands Law. Effective October 1, 2024, the DC Council increased the Clean Hands-based disqualification threshold ten-fold, from $100 in debt to the DC government to $1000. While further reform is needed, this change will empower more workers to obtain business and occupational licenses to work in the District and will help combat racial disparities.

Tzedek DC thanks our clients for bravely sharing their stories publicly to help all workers in the District of Columbia. We are grateful as well for the outstanding partnership with our co-counsel the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, as well as to the nonprofit Beloved Community Incubator (BCI), which worked closely with the workers involved in the case.

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower our client base, which is comprised of 90% Black people, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 4,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

Tzedek DC Awarded $300,000 from The Motley Fool Foundation

Tzedek DC is honored to announce a new partnership and significant award from the ImpactFool (IF) Fund* as part of the inaugural program of The Motley Fool Foundation. The $300,000 unrestricted grant will be distributed over three years to support Tzedek DC’s mission of safeguarding the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with low incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. In addition, The Foundation will provide thought partnership as Tzedek DC continues to grow and deepen its impact towards ending the racial wealth gap in DC.

This award, granted to just two organizations after an extensive open-call process, represents the inaugural year of The Motley Fool Foundation’s new program. The ImpactFool (IF) Fund applies a venture capital approach to find, fund, and support innovative nonprofit models that enhance Financial Freedom and hold great promise for impact at scale.

Tzedek DC carries out our mission as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide and predatory lending and debt collection practices that disproportionately target communities of color. Without legal help, default judgments, impaired credit ratings, and outstanding fines and fees lead to problems that reduce future job prospects and harm long-term financial stability. In the worst cases, unfavorable debt judgments can set off a spiral of events leading to unemployment, homelessness, and/or prison.

“Tzedek DC is grateful to be in collaboration with The Motley Fool Foundation working together to expand access to justice within our DC community,” said Tzedek DC’s Founding President & Director-Counsel, Ariel Levinson-Waldman.

“At Tzedek DC, we see passionate experts helping households stay on the path to financial freedom at the individual level, and also using what they learn from those experiences to advocate for policy changes that benefit thousands of DC residents,” said Sean Milliken, Managing Director of The Motley Fool Foundation. “We believe their approach has the potential to improve the potential of financial freedom for Americans in communities nationwide."

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, and with offices also in Ward 8, Tzedek DC is a nonprofit organization.  Our mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black residents, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice, and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 4,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

About The Motley Fool Foundation

The Motley Fool Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity that leverages the expertise and resources of The Motley Fool to drive impactful philanthropic initiatives aimed at improving access to Financial Freedom. By combining innovative funding approaches with strategic support, the Foundation strives to create lasting change in communities across the United States.

*The ImpactFool Fund is not a traditional investment fund—but rather, it is a Venture Philanthropy Fund where donations from our community are awarded to other nonprofits by The Motley Fool Foundation.

2024 Eat Well, Do Justice!® Recap

On September 30, Tzedek DC held our eighth annual Eat Well, Do Justice!® celebration. We are enormously grateful for the outpouring of support reflected at the event, which helped us raise over $407,000—and still counting!—in support of our justice mission over the course of a fun, substantive, and tasty evening. A huge thank you to all who made the evening a special one!

Following the reception, where guests tried the competing chefs’ offerings and voted on their favorite, the program kicked off with a short video featuring the incredible impact of the pilot year of our Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program, as funds from the event will help us expand its reach and move it into the next stage. Program participants joined us for the evening to celebrate as well!

Tzedek DC’s Board Chair Rachel Kronowitz delivered welcoming remarks and introduced the musicians who led all of us in a performance of a trilingual Hebrew-Arabic-English version of Rabbi Menachem Creditor’s moving and timely song, Olam Chesed Yibaneh. This arrangement of the song about building a world from love instead of from fear was created by the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, an Israeli-Palestinian music and dialogue project. Its Founding Artistic Director Micah Hendler, who led the ensemble and the attendees’ sing-along, is currently an Artist in Residence at Adas Israel Synagogue in DC.

Founding President & Director-Counsel Ariel Levinson-Waldman connected the song to our work, including reflecting on how, “the ancient teachings of Chesed—loving and kindness—and Tzedek—justice—are closely related. It’s tangible stuff, with real, present, day-to-day applications in our mission and work…. In everything we do, how do we build and strengthen bridges, bridges that are more important than ever as we are all bombarded with messages of racism, antisemitism, and Islamaphobia, words and acts that divide us when the broader community is already so distressed? These questions pulse subtly through our day-to-day at Tzedek DC as we strive to live up to the high ideal of our name.”

Deputy Director Sarah Hollender presented Staff Attorney Linda Coe with our second-ever Janet Lowenthal Volunteer Service Award, followed by remarks from Linda herself.

Ultimately, the four stellar chefs stole the show that evening, each with their own unique creations. Gina Chersevani, founder of Buffalo & Bergen, showcased an incredible olive-forward Sicilian Cauliflower Salad; Ann-Marie James, Executive Chef at Wagshal’s Deli, highlighted her Trinidadian roots with a delicious Chana & Aloo; and Jarrad Silver, owner of Silver & Sons BBQ, provided pastrami-smoked mushroom sliders that left everyone feeling satisfied.

Despite the intense competition, one deli delight still emerged victorious! The spiced carrots with labneh from Private Chef Daniel Rosen won both the judges’ hearts and the popular vote and took home the evening’s well-deserved award. The judges’ only complaint was that they didn’t have more of it to eat!

We are especially grateful to guest judges Lisa Attman Palmer of the Attman’s Delicatessen family (who knows from deli!); Meta Vice President of Civil Rights and Deputy General Counsel Roy Austin, who also sits on Tzedek DC’s Advisory Council; Shayan Pahlevani, who co-founded Oasis, the first-ever American Muslim Leadership Center in the DMV; DC’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb; and co-founder of RASA Rahul Vinod, who won Eat Well, Do Justice!® 2023!

The event was skillfully chaired and moderated by Bonnie Benwick and co-chaired by June Kress, Laura Kumin, and Nina Simon. The Host Committee and Sponsors were also instrumental in the evening’s success, and we are grateful for the attendance of DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. For those who were unable to attend, links to the Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program video, as well as a video of the beautiful musical arrangement, are available above.

As announced at the event, gifts to Tzedek DC this month are being matched thanks to the extraordinary generosity of several anonymous donors. The match extends up to $18,000 and has not yet closed, and proceeds will support the growth of our Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program and make it accessible to more young people. Please consider donating now to double the impact of your gift!

As in past years, this Eat Well, Do Justice!® event sold out weeks before the event. Make sure to secure your tickets for EWDJ 2025 when they become available next summer!

Tzedek DC Announces Three Senior Management Promotions

Tzedek DC has promoted three senior staff members in a significant expansion of our leadership team. Long-time Associate Director Sarah Hollender has been named Deputy Director, and Senior Staff Attorneys A.J. Huber and Jorge Tormes have each been named to Associate Director positions.

These three leaders bring proven management experience and success and have already served in enhanced leadership roles, including during Founding Director Ariel Levinson-Waldman’s sabbatical earlier in 2024. The three of them bring a combined fifteen years of experience at Tzedek DC already, and a combined total of more than 35 years of legal, public interest, and management experience. 

Ariel Levinson-Waldman said, “We have already benefited enormously from Sarah, A.J., and Jorge’s remarkable talents. In this next chapter, our management team is poised to be stronger than ever as we continue to grow the Tzedek DC team and show up for our teammates, expand our impact in support of DC residents, and, ultimately, work in broad community coalition to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents and to end the racial wealth gap in the District of Columbia.” 

In response to community demand, Tzedek DC has grown rapidly as an organization in the nearly eight years since we opened our doors, and now has 20 paid staff members, three full-time staff volunteers, and, over time, 300+ volunteers who have helped provide critically needed capacity. The expansion of our senior management team reflects that growth as the organization adapts to more effectively and efficiently meet the needs of our clients and the community we serve. 

Deputy Director Sarah Hollender has dedicated her entire 12-year legal career to civil legal aid. Sarah was the second lawyer to join Tzedek DC, in 2017, and has played a major role in the myriad ways the organization’s success, client and community member impact, and growth have evolved in the years since. As Deputy Director, she works with the senior leadership team to make and implement major organizational decisions, leads our internal decision-making and systems, grants-related work, and day-to-day operations, and supervises the Associate Directors and other team members.  

Associate Director A.J. Huber has been part of the Tzedek DC team since 2020. During that time, he has represented hundreds of DC residents in individual and systemic legal matters, mentored numerous pro bono attorneys and interns, helped develop the Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program, and played a key role in reforming DC’s debt collection laws. He supervises Tzedek DC’s staff attorneys and leads our litigation efforts. 

Associate Director Jorge Tormes has been part of the Tzedek DC team since 2020. Jorge has led Tzedek DC’s ¡Sin Deudas, Sin Dudas! (No Debts, No Doubts) Project, focused on providing services and outreach to DC’s Latino and Spanish-speaking community, and is working to expand our financial counseling program after playing a key role in its establishment. He supervises Tzedek DC’s program staff and leads our programmatic and outreach efforts. 

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, and with offices also in Ward 8, Tzedek DC is a nonprofit organization.  Our mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black residents, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice, and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 4,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

Tzedek DC’s Medical Debt Work Sparks Public Discussion

Tzedek DC spearheaded a medical debt cancellation campaign that wiped out over $42 million in debt for more than 62,000 DC residents. The relief was due to a public dollar investment by the DC Government, which Tzedek DC recommended and catalyzed. Using DC-provided grant dollars, the nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt purchased debt directly from a DC hospital system and eliminated that debt.

DC residents whose income is under four times the federal poverty level or those with medical debt exceeding 5% of their income were eligible for relief. Over 80 percent of residents benefiting from the cancellation live in zip codes that are majority Black or community members of color. In addition to eliminating the debt, Undue Medical Debt took steps to have these debts removed from patients’ credit reports maintained by major credit reporting agencies such as Experian, Equifax, and Transunion.

This initiative, and Tzedek DC’s catalytic role in it, attracted widespread media attention. It was featured in 12 articles from major outlets such as The Washington Post and played numerous times across 6 television stations and 2 radio stations, including ABC 7, Fox 5, and WUSA9. The program’s local and national coverage generated over 500 million impressions, highlighting its impact while sparking important discussions on healthcare reform, financial equity, and social justice. Links to the articles are included below, and snippets from television and radio are featured in the reel above, also available by clicking here.

Tzedek DC also helped catalyze faith-based private medical debt relief along the same model. Tzedek DC moderated and participated in a panel discussion in October 2023, with Temple Sinai that spawned their fundraising efforts that led to the cancellation of over $4.3 million in medical debt. Similarly, we participated in a forum with St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in April 2024, that kicked off a campaign leading to the cancellation of a further $3.6 million in medical debt.

These cancellation efforts also highlight the need for forward-looking systemic reform to help ensure that DC residents needing medical care do not end up in a situation where they need this relief in the first place. Tzedek DC is actively exploring reforms to, among other things: 

  • Strengthen financial assistance policies both by making such programs easier for patients to access as well as by expanding their scope to include more health care providers and more patients.

  • Improve protections related to medical debt through, for example, prohibiting lawsuits to collect or wage garnishment for medical debt held by those eligible for free or reduced-price care. 

  • Adjust hospital spending and pricing policies to be more equitable. 

  • Increase enforcement of compliance of existing rules and any newly enacted rules. 

Article Links 

$42M of Medical Debt Erased for 62,000 DC Residents Through Public Dollars Investment

Tzedek DC Offers Residents Credit Report-Related Support; Relief Recipients to Receive Debt Cancellation Letters Starting Today

Tzedek DC applauds the cancellation of about $42 million of medical debt for more than 62,000 District of Columbia residents.

The relief is due to a public dollars investment by the DC Government, which Tzedek DC recommended and catalyzed. This investment has made DC the first state-level government to invest in the large-scale purchase and cancellation of medical debt. Over 80 percent of residents benefiting from the cancellation live in zip codes that are majority Black or community members of color.

Beginning today, August 30, residents whose medical debt has been erased will receive a letter from Undue Medical Debt, a national nonprofit that acquires medical debt in bulk from providers like hospitals and then erases it. To help residents navigate, Tzedek DC is now providing free follow-on services to support residents with questions related to this relief, including how it relates to their credit report. More information is available here.

“This is a big win for DC residents. We applaud Mayor Muriel Bowser and Deputy Mayor Wayne Turnage for this choice to invest in large-scale medical debt cancellation as an anti-poverty strategy and in response to the health equity problems that medical debt presents and perpetuates. We look forward to working further with the Mayor’s team and the DC Council to ensure fewer DC families are burdened by medical debt going forward,” said Ariel Levinson-Waldman, Tzedek DC’s Founding Director. “We also deeply appreciate the systemic relief work of Undue Medical Debt. We urge residents to open envelopes coming to them from Undue Medical Debt so they know that their medical debt has been canceled and can take steps to ensure their credit report reflects that fact.”

“We know that in DC and across the country, medical debt has become a burden that follows too many families around and holds people back from ever getting their fair shot—especially people of color,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Erasing medical debt just makes sense—this is a way for us to get life-changing financial help to a large number of people, in the most efficient way possible. We’re grateful for our partners who worked with us to relieve tens of thousands of Washingtonians from the burden of medical debt.”

Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States, burdening an estimated 100 million Americans. The White House has heralded the large-scale purchase and cancellation of medical debt.

Estimates suggest that prior to DC’s cancelation initiative, more than 90,000 DC residents may have had outstanding medical debt. As in the rest of the country, the burden of this medical debt falls disproportionately on DC residents who are Black or persons of color, who are, on average, three times more likely to be burdened by medical debt than white DC residents. As a result, in an effort culminating in 2023, the Tzedek DC team, including medical debt project leader attorney Jennifer Holloway, advocated to the DC Council and Mayor, highlighting the crisis of medical debt and, along with allied organizations, urging medical debt cancelation through public investment to improve the lives of some of the District’s most vulnerable residents. Tzedek DC’s testimony is available here.

Working with Undue Medical Debt, the DC government’s resulting investment has provided the funding for this impactful medical debt cancelation program. Using DC-provided grant dollars, Undue Medical Debt has purchased debt directly from a DC hospital system and eliminated that debt. In addition, Undue Medical Debt has taken steps to have these debts removed from patients’ credit reports maintained by major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, Transunion).

Medical debt cancelation from Undue Medical Debt cannot be requested and is source-based, meaning that this program can only erase qualifying medical debts the organization is able to acquire from providers like hospitals or physicians’ groups. The criteria for relief are those who are four times the federal poverty level (FPL) or below or those with medical debt that is 5% or more of their annual income. Medical debts are bought and sold in large, bundled portfolios for a fraction of their face value, meaning one donated dollar can erase, on average, $100 of medical debt, providing an impactful return on investment to governmental funders or for private philanthropic efforts. Those benefiting from DC’s medical debt relief will receive a branded envelope from Undue Medical Debt in the mail starting today and over the next several weeks, outlining which of their medical debts have been erased.

Canceling medical debt provides immediate financial relief to DC families. Studies from the Urban Institute and the CFPB have found that medical debt cancellation increases an individual’s credit score and their total amount of available revolving credit (i.e., credit card limits). After medical debt is removed from a credit report, the studies found that an individual’s credit score could increase by as much as 32 points.

Medical debt is also a social determinant of health, and relieving medical debt can improve mental health, physical health, and financial stability. Because families of color are three times more likely to have medical debt than their white neighbors, this cancellation effort advances health and financial equity in DC.

This development was featured in the Washington Post.

About Tzedek DC, Our Medical Debt Work, and the Health Equity Fund   

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, and with offices also in Ward 8, Tzedek DC is a nonprofit organization.  Our mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles, including those arising from medical debt. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black residents, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice, and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 4,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

A portion of Tzedek DC’s medical debt work is funded by the Health Equity Fund, as administered by the Greater Washington Community Foundation in partnership with the Health Equity Committee. The Health Equity Fund is designated to improve the health outcomes and health equity of residents of the District of Columbia. The historic fund is one of the largest philanthropic funds of any kind focused on community-based nonprofits that serve District residents.  Given that 80 percent of DC’s health outcomes are driven by social, economic, and other factors, compared to just 20 percent by clinical care, the Health Equity Fund adopts an economic mobility frame to address the root causes of health inequity and advances a sustainable network of people, organizations, and projects to ensure equitable health outcomes for Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color and other marginalized populations in DC.

We are especially grateful to the Health Equity Fund for the support and shared vision of health equity and racial and economic justice.

2024 DMV Back-to-School Events & Resources: Empowering Families for Success

As the new school year approaches, Tzedek DC is here to support your family's journey toward educational success. We understand that the back-to-school season can bring both excitement and challenges, especially when it comes to ensuring your child has the necessary supplies. That’s why we have compiled a list of upcoming events across the DMV area where you can access free school supplies and resources to set your child up for a successful year.

At Tzedek DC, we believe that every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed in school, regardless of their family's financial situation. By providing awareness of these resources, we aim to reduce the barriers that can hinder a child’s ability to thrive academically.

Wednesday, August 21

Cure the Streets DC Back-to-School Celebration

Join the Cure the Streets DC Back-to-School Celebration at Tyler House Apartments’ Community Room. Enjoy food, uniforms, book bags, and fresh produce, and register for free WiFi and phones.

  • When: 2:00 - 6:00 pm

  • Where: Tyler House Apartments (1200 North Capitol St NW)

  • No registration required

Friday, August 23

Chase 2nd Annual Back to School Community Day

Book bags and school supply giveaways, swag, and prizes. Enjoy free food, beverages, and haircuts, and take part in panel discussions featuring Big G and Backyard Band. Additionally, there will be financial health workshops. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. School supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

  • When: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Chase Skyland Community Branch (2728 Good Hope Rd SE)

  • No registration required

Wizards’ Jarden Poole Back to School Tip-Off

Each student will receive a new backpack full of school supplies and a new book from Mahogany Books, courtesy of Jordan Poole and the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation to start the school year! Activities include back-to-school haircuts, basketball clinics, DJ Heat and Wizards Dancers, free food, face painters, and more.

  • When: 12:00 - 3:30 pm

  • Where: Stanton Elementary School (2701 Naylor Rd SE)
    Please enter through the Naylor Rd gate and check in at the field upon arrival

  • No registration required

Back to School Day at RFK

Bring the whole family to celebrate the season at Back to School Day at RFK. From haircuts to school supplies, there will be everything your family needs to get ready for another great school year. Activities include book bags and school supplies giveaways, food, music, arcade, games, and more.

  • When: 12:00 - 4:00 pm

  • Where: The Fields at RFK Campus (401 Oklahoma Ave NE)

  • No registration required

Saturday, August 24

EBOL Food and Supply Distribution - Together We Thrive

Join Emory Beacon of Light Food and Supply Distribution for free food, hygiene products, essential household items, and school supplies to help our community shine!

  • When: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

  • Where: Emory Beacon of Light (6100 Georgia Ave NW)
    Drive-Through: Quackenbos St NW
    Walk-Up: Georgia Ave NW

  • Register to attend

Back to School Barbecue

Join Bennett Career Institute & Alan Foundation for a school supplies bazaar, games, food, free haircuts, and styles.

  • When: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Bennett Career Institute (700 Monroe St NE)

  • No registration required

Ward 5 Back to School Giveaway

Join Ward 5 EEC for a free back-to-school backpack and school supplies. Also, get a chance to meet the members, neighbors, and community organizations.

  • When: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Wheatley Education Campus (1299 Neal St NE)

  • No registration required

Fight for Children Youth Sports Day

Join Fight For Children Youth Sports Day for a fun-filled, community event that will showcase sports-based youth development programs, games and prizes, a DJ, music and special guests, food trucks, and lots of fun for the whole family!

  • When: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: The Fields at RFK Campus (401 Oklahoma Ave NE)

  • Register to attend

12th Annual Back 2 School Health & Wellness Festival

Join the Greater Washington Urban League and Second Baptist Church Southwest at the 12th Annual Back 2 School Health & Wellness Festival! We are giving away 1,000 backpacks and school supplies to 1,000 students!

  • When: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

  • Where: Second Baptist Church Southwest (5501 Silver Hill Rd, District Heights, MD 20747)

  • Register to attend

DPR Roving Leaders Backpack Giveaway

The annual Roving Leaders Backpack Giveaway returns! First come, first served. Bags are available for students 3-to-17 years old. Parent and student must be present.

  • When: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Kennedy Recreation Center (1401 7th St NW)

  • No registration required

Back 2 School Bookbag Giveaway

Join Bethel Stand For Life Outreach Ministries Inc. for a free back-to-school backpack giveaway.

  • When: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Corner of Southern Ave and S Capitol St SW

  • No registration required

DPR Emery Heights Backpack Giveaway

Join DPR for this exciting upcoming backpack giveaway at Emery Heights along with Leg3ndary Experiences.

  • When: 12:00 - 4:00 pm

  • Where: Emery Heights Community Center (5701 Georgia Ave NW)

  • Register to attend

Day in the Park Backpack Giveaway

Join Park Road Community Church for their back-to-school backpack giveaway event, featuring games, food, a lemonade stand, and sack racing.

  • When: 1:00 pm - TBD

  • Where: Park Road Community Church (1019 Park Rd NW)

  • Register with Pastor Parshall or Youth Leader

Books Braids & Beyond A Free Back to School Event

Join Arena Stage for moving stories, hair love, a demonstration by Dudley Beauty College, and school supplies and backpacks.

  • When: 2:00 - 4:00 pm

  • Where: Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St SW)

  • No registration required

Annual Community Day Health and Wellness Fair 2024

Join DC Health and the Places of Worship Advisory Board at the Marshall Heights Community Development Center for the Annual Community Day Health and Wellness Fair. Free health screenings and referrals will be available, as well as entertainment and activities for all ages. Free fruit, vegetables, and hot food will be available.

  • When: 2:00 - 6:00 pm

  • Where: Marshall Heights Community Development Center (3939 Benning Rd NE)

  • Register to attend

Sunday, August 25

Back-to-School Clothing Swap

Join Community Swap at Trinidad Farmers Market for a back-to-school clothing swap event. Donate clothes, school uniforms, shoes, backpacks, books, and toys. No furniture, large baby gear, or car seats are accepted. Any remaining items will be donated to local families.

  • When: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

  • Where: Joseph Cole Recreation Center (1232 Neal St NE)

  • Register to attend

Good Times Community Festival

Join the annual Good Times Community Festival at THEARC! Food, games, activities, and free supply-filled backpacks for students so they are prepared for a successful new school year! WPGC 99.5 and SJ EZ Street will be supplying the jams. The Burton and Craig Shields Foundation will be providing free haircuts/styling for children. Hair appointments are strongly encouraged, and limited walk-in appointments will be available.

Saturday, September 7

Learn24’s Afterschool in the City 2024

Join the Deputy Mayor for Education’s Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes and the Learn24 network to explore all the afterschool and out-of-school time programming available to District youth ages 5-21 during the 2024-25 school year.

  • When: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Deanwood Community Center (1350 49th St NE)

  • Register to attend

Saturday, September 14

DCPS Back to School Block Party

The DC Public Schools’ Back to School Block Party is a celebration to welcome students, families, teachers, school administration, and community members to a successful start to the new school year. The Block Party is designed to engage the DC community in a fun and welcoming environment while providing information and resources. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and gather materials from community organizations and District Government agencies, including health & wellness, food access, and college & career readiness to name a few. There will be free food and fun activities for all ages including games, face painting, and student performances.

  • When: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Where: Jefferson Middle School Academy (801 7th St SW)

  • Register to attend

Jennifer Holloway Joins ABA Medical Debt Panel

Jennifer Holloway, our Equal Justice Works Fellow leading our Medical Debt Project, was a panelist in the American Bar Association’s recent webinar, “Medical Debt: Strategies for Tackling A Growing ‘Epidemic.’”

Panelists on the webinar gave an overview of the problem and impact of medical debt and discussed how states and the federal government are working to tackle it. Panelists highlighted state-level policy protections from limiting interest rates and statute of limitations on medical debt collections, to strong financial assistance policy requirements, to canceling all medical debt.

Jennifer uplifted the DC Government’s grant to purchase and cancel medical debt held by DC residents and the CFPB’s proposed rule to eliminate medical debt from credit reports used for lending decisions. She also discussed the impact of medical debt on clients’ physical, mental, and financial health, sharing how one client was turned away from getting healthcare because of her medical debt and another was pressured into taking out a medical credit card by her daughter’s surgeon.

The webinar acted as a catalyst for the ABA’s proposed resolution on addressing medical debt. The Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice is proposing that the House of Delegates adopt a resolution urging federal and state governments to enact laws, adopt policies, and support programs that alleviate the burden of medical debt. Watch the panel here and learn more about the resolution here.

Summer 2024 DC Youth Meals Program – Don’t Miss Out!

Our children and teens need nutritious meals, no matter what season it is. But during the summer months, when school is out, access to healthy meals can be a big problem for many students. That’s why we’re excited to share information about the DC Youth Meals Program – a wonderful initiative that provides free meals during the summer to children and teens across our city.

What is the DC Youth Meals Program?

The DC Youth Meals Program offers free, nutritious meals to children and teens aged 18 and under throughout the summer. This initiative is part of a broader District-wide effort to combat food insecurity and support our community’s youth.

When and Where is it Happening?

Meals are available at over 100 locations across the city from June 1st to August 30th. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided at different times throughout the day, ensuring that children have access to food no matter their schedule.

Who’s Eligible?

All children and teenagers aged 18 and under, as well as children over 18 with special needs and disabilities, are eligible for the program. There is no requirement for registration or proof of income. You can simply come to a designated site and enjoy a healthy meal.

Find a Meal Site Near You

To find a meal site, click on this free resource guide below, which categorizes all the sites by wards.

How We Can Help at Tzedek DC

We’re committed to supporting our community’s families. If you have any questions or need further assistance about the DC Youth Meals Program, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help!

Contact Us

Phone: (202) 274-7386

Website: tzedekdc.org/legal-services-contact-us

Together, we can ensure that all members of our DC community have the resources they need to thrive.

Tzedek DC Applauds Reform Raising Clean Hands Threshold 

Tzedek DC applauds the passing of the DC's budget, which raises the threshold for Clean Hands certification from $100 to $1,000.  

On Tuesday, June 25, the Council of the District of Columbia voted unanimously to pass the “Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Act of 2024” (BSA). The BSA takes effect on October 1, 2024, and includes the subtitle “The Clean Hands Certification Economic Expansion and Revitalization Amendment Act of 2024,” which raises the threshold for Clean Hands certification when applying for occupational and small business licenses from $100 to $1,000 for debts owed to the District government.  

Once it takes effect, the BSA’s subtitle inclusion means that individuals with fines and fees or other debts owed to the DC government will no longer be locked out of business and occupational licensing unless the amount owed is over $1,000. Further, the DC Government has now clarified that traffic debt, including parking tickets, speeding fines, and automated traffic enforcement fines, is not reviewed for a Clean Hands certification for the majority of business and occupational licenses sought by workers in the District from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.   

While further reform is needed, the reform will empower more workers to obtain business and occupational licenses to work in the District, combat racial income disparities, and create a first step towards eliminating a barrier to work that harms DC’s most vulnerable residents. 

The current Clean Hands Law automatically disqualifies anyone with over $100 in unpaid fines and fees of any kind from obtaining DC government-issued occupational and business licenses. It affects more than 125 occupations, representing over 48,000 workers, including barbers, cosmetologists, nurses, social workers, plumbers, HVAC cleaners, food vendors, and dozens of other occupations crucial to the District’s economy. Nearly one in five DC workers must get an occupational license before they can legally do their jobs. The BSA subtitle will raise the $100 threshold to $1,000 and create a more equitable workforce in the District. 

The District has an especially wide racial wealth gap. White households have, on average, 81 times the wealth of Black households and 22 times the wealth of Latino households, and Black residents are five times more likely to live in poverty than white residents. The current Clean Hands Law and $100 threshold exacerbate and help perpetuate this gap. The DC Council’s Office of Racial Equity (CORE) has concluded that “[b]ecause of the Clean Hands policy, Black residents are disproportionately blocked from occupational licenses [or] starting a business…. This leaves Black residents disproportionately impacted by fines but with fewer opportunities to build wealth that may help them pay debts resulting from fines and fees.”  

In December 2023, Tzedek DC released “Locked Out: How DC Bans Workers with Unpaid Fines from More than 125 Jobs or Starting a Business, and What We Can Do About It,” a report on the need for reform of DC’s Clean Hands Law. The Locked Out report, which was supported by a coalition of more than 20 local partners, shares the stories of directly impacted residents, illustrates the policy and legal problems of the current system through data-based explanations, and shows how DC’s counter-productive law makes it an outlier in the region and in the nation. 

Alongside the release of the Locked Out report, Tzedek DC worked with DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie to draft the “Clean Hands Economic Expansion and Revitalization Amendment Act of 2023.” This pending bill, separate from the one passed in the BSA, would end the Clean Hands Law’s lockout of occupational and small business licenses for those with unpaid fines and fees to DC. The bill was introduced in December 2023 and received a hearing on June 20, 2024, where support for Clean Hands reform came from a wide coalition, including impacted workers, local advocacy groups, restaurant and nightlife operators and industry representatives, unions, and government officials. 

The Council has faced a tough budgetary season this year, and Tzedek DC partnered with Councilmember McDuffie to ensure Clean Hands reform was included in the budget. “Our policy team worked with Councilmember McDuffie’s office to find meaningful Clean Hands reform that fit the tough fiscal realities of this year’s budget process,” said Tzedek DC Policy Director Melissa Millar “Raising the Clean Hands threshold from $100 to $1,000 is an important first step in removing barriers to work for low-income workers in the District.”  

We urge the Council to consider the Clean Hands Economic Expansion and Revitalization Amendment Act of 2023 and listen to the large and diverse coalition calling for the removal of Clean Hands as a barrier to work. For more information about our advocacy work, visit www.tzedekdc.org. 

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s name is drawn from the ancient Jewish teaching “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as anti-racism work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Tzedek DC seeks to serve and empower its client base, which is comprised of 90% Black people, 60% women, and 25% disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free direct services—legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing bilingual community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 3,000 client households in legal matters and catalyzed systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.

Tzedek DC Featured in Bittersweet Monthly 

"It's very, very expensive to be poor" 

The nonprofit public interest publication BitterSweet Monthly profiled Tzedek DC in its June 2024 issue. The article includes stories from our clients, our fines and fees work, our medical debt project, our Spanish-language outreach program ¡Sin Deudas, Sin Dudas!, and our Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program. 

One client, Evelyn, recounts how Tzedek DC “walked me through the paperwork and through the court systems and spoke on my behalf at the council member boards and everything,” and concludes, “I wouldn’t think of anybody else in the world I would want to be by my side.” 

The article closes with a generous Editor’s Note from the team at BitterSweet, which is a collaborative counter-narrative published monthly to reject cynicism, defy apathy, and celebrate good: “It's sobering to learn the totality and speed in which a life can be dismantled, the mired weight of debt and the predatory practices and poor policies that allow for it. It's here, deep in the trenches, that we find Tzedek DC.... an outstretched hand in the dark.”

We hope you will read the full article and share it widely. It’s a rich portrait of our work, team members’ perspectives, and, most importantly, the community members we serve.