STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Our History

The Just Us Movement didn’t appear out of nowhere. It grew out of the lived experiences of our founding board members—people who have spent years watching community members get stuck without access, without guidance, and without a voice in the systems that shape their lives.

Long before this organization had a name, they were already doing the work: community outreach in courtrooms and neighborhoods, delivering legal education where it was most needed, mentoring young people, and stepping in to help whether or not permission was ever given. Their experiences weren’t abstract—they came from the families they grew up in, the communities they served, and the gaps they saw over and over again.

We formalized The Just Us Movement in 2025 not because the work was new, but because it was time to build an infrastructure that matched the scale of what our communities deserve. We are students, organizers, legal professionals, community partners, and everyday people who know what struggle looks like—and refuse to let that be the end of the story.

Our history isn’t measured in years. It’s measured in the trust we’ve earned, the people we’ve stood with, and the barriers we’re committed to tearing down. This movement is built by those who’ve lived the challenges firsthand. We’re here to stay. We’re here to lead. And we’re just getting started.

The Just Us Movement was founded in January 2025 by our President and Founder, Zeno Temple. What began as a vision to close gaps in legal education, civic engagement and community wellness has quickly evolved into a growing, community-centered organization grounded in service and collective action.

In our first year, we launched programs that addressed immediate community needs such as food insecurity, legal literacy and resource distribution while also laying the foundation for long-term advocacy and leadership development initiatives. Guided by our core values of justice, unity, service, transparency, integrity, community and empowerment. The Just Us Movement continues to expand its impact through partnerships, education and community-led solutions.

Strategic Priorities (2026-2027)

Advancing justice, strengthening communities, and building sustainable impact.

The Just Us Movement is entering a period of intentional growth. Our strategic priorities reflect where we are headed as an organization and how we plan to deepen our work across education, wellness, justice and leadership. These priorities guide our planning, partnerships, resource allocation and long-term development.

The Just Us Movement launched in 2025 with a simple purpose: justice and opportunity belong to everyone, not just the people who already know how to navigate the system. In our first year, we focused on showing up where support was needed most; providing legal education, leadership opportunities, and direct community assistance. That work built trust. It proved the need. And it made clear that the next phase requires more than heart and hustle; it requires structure, resources, and staying power.

Over the 2026/27 cycle, our focus shifts from surviving to scaling. The first priority is financial strength. We are building a funding model that allows us to operate confidently and plan long-term, including multi-year partnerships, a stable donor pipeline, and the reserves needed to protect our mission. Financial stability ensures that the people who rely on us aren’t left waiting for the next grant cycle to determine their access to justice.

Our programs have impact. Now, we deepen them. We are selecting a flagship initiative to anchor our growth, one that produces measurable outcomes and can expand across communities. Every program we run will have clear metrics, strong partnerships, and a defined pathway for scale. No busywork. Real results.

At the same time, we are developing the internal team and leadership capacity required to sustain that growth. Roles will be clear. Decision-making will be shared. Volunteers and young professionals will be trained into future staff and leadership positions. The Just Us Movement will not depend on any single person, it will operate as an institution built to last.

Visibility matters. People trust the work they recognize, and communities rally behind organizations they see standing with them. We will increase our presence through storytelling, partnerships, and consistent engagement, ensuring Just Us is known as a credible, reliable force for justice in the region.

Finally, we are investing in data and technology that make our work efficient and undeniable. Streamlined reporting, centralized tracking, and consistent follow-through will allow us to demonstrate outcomes clearly, strengthening funder confidence and informing how we grow next.

Our trajectory is intentional. Year One was about earning the right to exist. Year Two is about proving we deserve to stay. Year Three is about expanding our footprint and influence. We are building a justice movement that will endure. One that creates access, power, and opportunity far beyond this moment and far beyond us.

We’re here to stay.
We’re here to lead.
And we’re just getting started.

Strengthen Community Wellness & Support

We are committed to addressing the immediate and ongoing needs of individuals and families in the communities we serve. By investing in wellness-driven, community centered programs, we aim to improve quality of life, increase stability and promote dignity.

Our goals include:

Expanding Nourish the Neighborhood events across additional Massachusetts and Connecticut cities.
Increasing the distribution of essential items, hygiene products, and community resources.
Growing our partnership with Dignity Grows to launch full annual distribution cycles.
Strengthening relationships with local shelters, churches, and grassroots partners.
Continuing environmental wellness programming through initiatives like Earth Day and community beautification projects.

Advance Legal Education & Civic Empowerment

Legal knowledge is a cornerstone of self-advocacy. We aim to reduce barriers by delivering accessible, culturally responsive legal information and empowering individuals to participate confidently in civic life.

Our goals include:

Scaling our Know Your Rights workshops and Access to Justice webinars
Enhancing our Civic Engagement Toolkit and expanding its reach to educators, libraries, and youth programs
Bringing in subject matter experts for specialized webinars and in person sessions.
Developing new resources addressing immigration, house stability, policing and civic participation.

Develop the Next Generation of Leaders

Young people and early career professionals deserve access to opportunities, mentorship, and pathways to leadership. Our goal is to create a sustainable pipeline for community leadership across justice, education and health sectors.

Our goals include:

Launching the Emerging Leaders Program in 2026 to engage professional students in law, public health, and education in related fields. These professionals will establish a research and advocacy framework where Council members identify systemic issues, analyze data, and propose actionable solutions that supports JU’s mission.
Providing mentorship, professional development, and service-learning opportunities.
Hosting leadership workshops focused on equity, justice and community organizing.
Creating project-based leadership roles within community programs and events.

Build Sustainable Organizational Infrastructure

To ensure meaningful, long-term impact, we must strengthen our foundation as an organization. Sustainability allows us to grow intentionally, remain community-driven, and meet the demands of expanding programs.

Our goals include:

Growing our board and advisory leadership structure
Increasing volunteer and intern engagement across regions.
Establishing stable funding streams, including grants, sponsorships, and monthly giving.
Enhancing internal system for data collection, program evaluation, and reporting.

Expand Regional Impact

Our long-term vision includes expanding programming beyond Hartford and Springfield to reach additional high-need communities across the Northeast.
Our goals include:
- Strengthening collaborations with schools, grassroots organizations, shelters and community partners.
- Building multi-state partnerships that allow us to scale programs sustainably.
- Increasing statewide and regional visibility through partnerships, events, and policy education.
- Documenting and sharing our impact through annual reports and public dashboards.

Looking Ahead

These priorities are rooted in our core values: Justice, Unity, Service, Transparency, Integrity, Community, and Empowerment. They reflect our commitment to meaningful impact and our belief that communities thrive when they are informed, supported, and equipped to lead.Through these strategic priorities, The Just Us Movement is building a stronger, more connected, and more equitable future—one community at a time.