DIGNITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
Tennessee Justice Center believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are intrinsically valuable and necessary to manifest our mission of justice for all. We recognize that racism is foundational to the social and economic disparities that plague our nation. We work to achieve opportunity, security and dignity for all Tennesseans. We are committed to expanding and continuing our advocacy, education, and litigation work as a means towards greater equity.
2.5B
DOLLARS IN HEALTHCARE BENEFITS
300M
DOLLARS SECURED IN FOOD AID
95K
CHILDREN RECEIVING MEDICAID SERVICES
45K
CHILDREN AND PREGNANT MOTHERS NOW COVERED
15K
OLDER TENNESSEANS NOW RECEIVING
CARE AT HOME
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Every life is equally sacred, and our laws and public policies must reflect this truth. Poverty is the product of public policies that deny to some the equal opportunities America promises to all. When public policies create and perpetuate poverty by withholding essential healthcare, nutrition, and a chance at financial security, they blight lives and harm communities. Through skilled advocacy with partners who reflect the diversity of our state, we can reform those policies, improve lives, and make our beloved state a more just and inclusive home for all Tennesseans.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Tennessee Justice Center is to use the law to advance economic, racial, and social justice by relentlessly working for and with Tennesseans seeking better lives for themselves and their neighbors.
"IT WAS A MIRACLE.
Without TJC I don't know what could've happened. It makes a big different when you get help like that. I'm grateful and I'm very happy. It's a second chance."
- Mr. Eduardo Sanchez-Garcia
WHAT WE DO
We help Tennesseans one-by-one and then take what we learn from their stories to advocate for large-scale changes that help others in the same boat. In addition to helping individuals, we use the law and advocacy to ensure that Tennesseans can meet their most basic needs and have a pathway to opportunity. If you need representation or help with TennCare and other health and nutrition safety net programs, we can help. Click here.
ENSURING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE
TJC works to ensure that affordable health coverage is accessible to all Tennesseans by promoting policy solutions that would eliminate the barriers that prevent people from getting care. We also advocate against policies that would hurt Tennesseans’ health coverage or diminish their care. TJC has played an instrumental role in protecting the Affordable Care Act over the years, and our staff continues to work daily to convince state lawmakers to expand Medicaid in TN.
EXPANDING FOOD SECURITY
All Tennesseans should have access to nutritious food. Every Tennessean should have the food they need to lead a healthy, productive life. We work to keep nutrition programs, like SNAP and school meals, strong.
HELPING KIDS GROW UP HEALTHY
Healthcare is crucial to give children a healthy start in life and a chance to reach their full potential. We work to protect and promote programs that are vital to children’s health by educating the community and mobilizing support for policies and practices that ensure that all of Tennessee’s children can thrive.
INCREASING INDEPENDENCE
With the right supports, seniors and people with disabilities can live life on their own terms. We work to increase access to programs that provide this support to make the possibility of independence real.
HOW WE DO IT
We focus relentlessly on protecting and improving the laws, policies, and programs which provide dignity and opportunity, including access to health care and food. We help individuals struggling to access these services, and we train health care providers, social service providers, and community leaders to ensure that those in their communities can get what they need.
TJC'S IMPACT
OUR PARTNERS
Our clients, their families, health care professionals, educators, and caregivers are some of our most committed partners in working for justice. Their stories of difficulty accessing health care and nutrition for themselves or their loved ones show the need for change and help policymakers and the general public understand the impact of inadequate health care and nutrition policy on real people, including our loved ones, friends, and neighbors. Our work is supported by and made better by the work of many other individuals and groups throughout the state and the country.
