• As we excitedly reported yesterday, Philanthropedia at GuideStar, the leading guide for donors to identify worthy charities, has named us one of the leading criminal justice advocates in the nation! Follow this link to read our full press release on this incredible recognition.
• Reminder: Less than two weeks to go until our 2011 Arthur Liman Public Interest Awards Benefit, coming up on Oct. 25. Purchase tickets or make your gift today!
• Monday's issue of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly features LAC Director Paul N. Samuels commenting on the Institute of Medicine's report to the Department of Health and Human Services on the Essential Health Benefits package. Mr. Samuels, who co-chairs the Coalition for Whole Health, stressed that the group would continue to push for strong coverage of substance use disorders and mental health.

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2011 -- The Legal Action Center is proud to announce that Philanthropedia at GuideStar, the leading guide for donors to identify worthy charities, has named us one of the leading criminal justice advocates in the nation.

Decided by a panel of 127 experts working in criminal justice across the country -- with an average of 16 years of experience in the field -- this honor recognizes LAC as one of the top 5 nonprofits making an impact at the local level, out of the 144 reviewed.

• In a significant move forward for HIV prevention in New York City, Mayor Bloomberg announced that his new Young Men's Initiative would include a mandate for a semester of sex education in city schools. Follow this link to read the full statement applauding this news from our WISH-NY project and its partner, the Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition (YWCHAC).
• National Policy Director Gabrielle de la Gueronniere is quoted in the Aug. 15 issue of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly on the critical need for a robust mental health/substance use disorder benefit as part of the essential health benefit mandated by healthcare reform.

• Mayor Bloomberg announced a package of initiatives this week incorporating policy changes we have long advocated to lower barriers to reentry. Read our full statement for all the details on these exciting changes!
• In the latest from our WISH-NY project, a new crop of young advocates fighting HIV; a letter to the schools chancellor urging better sex education; and a graduation celebration for the seasoned fifth class. Check out the full update on the WISH website! (At right, a happy scene from the Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition (YWCHAC) graduation.)