Introducing JustIN: News and Stories from the Telesca Center for Justice
September 2026
The Meaning Behind JustIN
In journalism, the term “just in” means fresh information that's just arrived at the news desk. I'm borrowing the phrase for another reason too: this newsletter is dedicated to Justin Vigdor, the man who raised the $3+ million that made the Telesca Center for Justice a reality 20 years ago. Thus, the name of the newsletter: “JustIN”
I met Justin Vigdor back in 1983, my first job out of college. He was counsel to my first employer out of college and was the one person that could school my employer when necessary. Almost 20 years later, I ran my first Law Day Luncheon as the new Executive Director of the Monroe County Bar Association (MCBA). The event ran long, and our keynote speaker, the Honorable Michael A. Telesca, graciously trimmed his remarks on the spot so the luncheon could close on time. He delivered a powerful account of Susan B. Anthony's history in Rochester. I thought the luncheon had gone well — until I spotted Justin standing in the back of the ballroom, not smiling.
He was displeased that Judge Telesca had been delayed. Standing there, I felt an unexpected flash of empathy for my old boss. But in that moment, I learned that Justin had an incredible ability to deliver a stern message with wisdom and kindness. Over the next few years, I came to know Justin in the many hats he wore around town and around the state. As a past president of both the MCBA and the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), Justin became a source of guidance for me on so many levels — always there when I was in a quagmire, always ready with a creative solution to a problem. That moment marked the start of a fifteen-year working relationship, but more importantly, a cherished friendship with Justin and his beautiful wife, Louise.
Several years later, as the seeds were being planted for the creation of a co-location opportunity, a small group of attorney leaders met to discuss who could lead the campaign to raise the funds needed to make this vision a reality.
There was only one name on the table: Justin Vigdor. When the call was made, there was not a moment of hesitation on Justin's part. Empire Justice agreed to loan Kristi Hughes, then Empire Justice Center's Development Director, now their COO, to the campaign to provide creative and fundraising support, and the MCBA lent me as the lead Executive Director. Together, we became a powerful team.
Justin hit the ground running, with me and Kristi as his sidekicks. We talked strategy, tested strategy, and rolled out strategy. We hit walls but kept moving forward while working to maintain our day jobs as well. We never lost sight of the goal ahead. We also managed to celebrate along the way. Justin introduced me to "hot and dirty" Martini’s and Kristi, to a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region. With his connections, his determination, and his refusal to accept anything less than success, Justin led the effort that raised the $3+ million needed to bring four legal service agencies under one roof.
Justin would be pleased that I have come back to the Telesca Center, and that together with Kristi, the four partner Executive Directors, and the legal community, the mission remains strong and we remain resolute.
It is with much love and appreciation that we dedicate this newsletter to Justin.
Mary
Introducing the Talent at the Telesca Center:
Yolanda Sheffa
Supervising Paralegal, LawNY
For Yolanda Sheffa, helping someone access food, health care, or other essential benefits is about more than completing an application. It is about making sure people are not left to navigate systems alone. Yolanda is a Supervising Paralegal in LawNY’s Rochester office and has been with the organization for 15 years. She assists clients with public assistance matters, including representation at administrative hearings, and supervises LawNY’s benefits enrollment programs, having served in these roles herself.
Outside of LawNY, Yolanda serves on the board of the Friends of the Public Market and volunteers with the Rochester Public Market and the Corn Hill Arts Festival.
Through LawNY’s health insurance navigator program, staff help people understand their coverage options and enroll through the New York State of Health Marketplace.
They may help someone understand a notice, compare plans, gather documents, or complete an application.
That work has taken on new urgency as federal funding changes have reduced eligibility for New York’s Essential Plan, requiring many New Yorkers to transition to other coverage. For someone already struggling with rent, groceries, medicine, or transportation, that change can be daunting.
Yolanda’s team provides SNAP application assistance as new federal rules expand work requirements. Staff help people complete applications and recertifications, gather documents, understand notices, identify possible exemptions, and respond when additional information is requested.
This kind of work is important to the Telesca Center’s broader mission of helping people address the challenges that affect their stability and well-being. LawNY’s work offers one example of what that can look like in practice.
At LawNY, benefits enrollment is part of both holistic and preventive legal services. A client may come to them with an eviction, debt, or another legal problem, and we can help identify benefits that may address underlying instability. But people do not need to have a legal problem or be a LawNY client to receive this assistance. Enrollment services can help people access health coverage and food assistance before a problem becomes a crisis.
Editor’s Note: Yolanda is one of the many dedicated members of the Telesca Center that we look forward to introducing to you in future issues. To learn more about the work of LawNY, visit lawny.org or reach out to lobrien@lawny.org.
IOLA Learning Opportunity
Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to sit in on a presentation at the Telesca Center for Justice with Christine Fecko, Esq., IOLA Fund of the State of New York Executive Director, and members of her staff. It was a most valuable presentation about their grant process as well as banking relationships. I also met Licha Nyiendo, Esq., IOLA’s General Counsel, primarily responsible for managing the banking relationships. I suggested to Licha that we work together to provide further education to attorneys about the importance of selecting a bank that participates with IOLA.
Please take a few minutes to visit www.IOLA.org to learn more about the NYS Interest on Lawyer Account Fund (IOLA Fund), founded in 1983, and its vital role in supporting civil legal services.
If you have newer attorneys in your practice, please make certain they understand the importance of IOLA in our justice system.
Click here, IOLA Fund - All Banks, to review the list of banks in our area, and throughout NYS.
JustCause Needs You!
We Really Do!! For nearly twenty years, the Telesca Center for Justice has helped ensure that low-income individuals and families in our community have access to quality legal representation.
Through JustCause, one of the Center's partner agencies, volunteer attorneys play a vital role in meeting that need. Taking a pro bono case is an opportunity to use your skills and experience to help someone facing a serious legal challenge while upholding our profession's long tradition of service to those who cannot afford counsel. The impact can be life-changing for the client and deeply rewarding for the attorney.
We hope you will consider partnering with JustCause to help ensure that equal justice remains more than an ideal—it remains a reality for those who need it most. To accept a case, contact Brittany Long blong@justcauseny.org
We are all most grateful!
No Need to Wait!
Consider Your Annual Donation Ahead of Schedule
The Telesca Fund for Justice is underway 365 days a year now. The need grows daily, and your unrestricted gifts to the Telesca Center are critical to ensure that the Telesca partners can meet the emerging civil legal needs of our fellow residents in Monroe County that are not, or cannot, be funded through grants. We will be rolling out a fall campaign, so please look for more details.
To donate at this moment, please visit: www.telescacenter.org/donate.
I am available by phone at 585-204-2016, by email at mloewenguth@telescacenter.org.
I hope you enjoyed this first issue of JustIN. We welcome your ideas, feedback, and suggestions, and there is much more to come. Just a fair warning: if I run into you, be prepared for a pop quiz to see if you actually read it!
