On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. (PLAN, Inc.) was honored with the 2025 Equal Justice Award at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia’s (CLS) 36th Annual Breakfast of Champions. Held at the Museum of the American Revolution, the event brought together legal aid advocates, members of the private bar, and public leaders committed to advancing justice for low-income Pennsylvanians.

PLAN, Inc. Executive Director Meredith Rapkin and Board President Regina Foley accepted the award on behalf of the organization. In her remarks, Meredith underscored the urgency and complexity of the issues civil legal aid clients face: “People don’t come to us with simple problems. We serve people facing imminent eviction, fearing for their physical safety, or fighting to keep the income that helps feed their families.”

The Equal Justice Award recognizes PLAN, Inc.’s leadership in strengthening Pennsylvania’s civil legal aid network. For more than 50 years, PLAN, Inc. has ensured that the organizations in its network have the funding, training, and resources they need to support the communities they serve. In 2024, the network served more than 200,000 Pennsylvanians—securing $4.3 million in Social Security and public benefits, $2.4 million in housing-related relief, and $1.2 million in unpaid wages and unemployment benefits.

The annual event reflects the collaborative spirit that has long defined the civil legal aid community in Pennsylvania. Other honorees included Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the law firm Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig LLP, both named 2025 Champions of Justice for their efforts to promote fairness and uphold the rights of underserved communities. The program also featured highlights from current and former fellows, including Dominique Wiggins, who began her career as an MLK, Jr. Fellow in 2021 and now serves as Supervising Attorney in CLS’s Housing Unit.

PLAN, Inc. values its longstanding partnership with CLS and is deeply honored to be recognized alongside leaders who work tirelessly to create a fairer, more just Commonwealth. Reflecting on the moment, Meredith shared, “This recognition belongs not just to our team at PLAN, Inc., but to everyone across our network who works every day to ensure that poverty never stands in the way of justice.”

Founded in 1966, CLS provides free civil legal aid to low-income Philadelphians, including individual representation, systemic advocacy, class action litigation, and community education. Last year alone, CLS served nearly 13,000 clients—and has supported more than one million people since its founding.