2025 Annual Report
In 2025, DC families felt the deep effects of local and federal budget cuts, furloughs and job losses. Add to that a federal occupation and threats to DC’s home rule, it was – and continues to be – a challenging time.
But 2025 was also a year of rapid response and problem solving.
Rapid Response
When Nadine’s six-year-old daughter was in and out of the ER – our lawyers worked to get her landlord to clean up the mold causing these life-threatening asthma attacks.
Then, when the water in her apartment was about to be shut off because the landlord hadn’t paid the bill, she reached out for help. And she called again when she wasn’t sure if she was going to experience a lapse in SNAP benefits because of the prolonged government shutdown.
Families like Nadine’s reached out to us during 2025 seeking advice or support. Whether it was changes at the federal level or a crisis in a child’s life, Children’s Law Center rapidly responded to a multitude of urgent issues.
Problem Solving
Danny* is a sweet seven-year-old who loves his friends and Sonic the Hedgehog, but he had difficulties at school from the start. His mother, Ms. Vasquez, worked with his school and pediatrician to understand his needs, and they made sure he had a plan to get the right support going into first grade. Despite these efforts, his school failed to follow the plan.
We worked with Ms. Vasquez and the school to get new evaluations for her son and together built an IEP that better addressed his needs.
Thanks to Children’s Law Center, I have that boost – I have the confidence I have now in the power I have as his mother.”
Ms. Vasquez Read More
Our Impact
Since 1996, we have reached more than 60,000 children and families directly. Our individual representation drives our city-wide advocacy and innovative partnerships. We’ve secured the passage of 50+ laws and improved countless government policies in our history – changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.
In 2025, we reached 5,815 children and families through individual assistance – more than ever before in our history:
National and Local Recognition
Washingtonian: Judith Sandalow honored as a 2025 Washingtonian of the Year
Children’s Law Center CEO, Judith Sandalow, was named a Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian magazine. She was one of 10 leaders who received the prestigious honor – one that recognizes Judith’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children across the District.
Congratulations Melissa Colangelo, National Outstanding Legal Advocate Awardee
The National Association of Counsel for Children honored Children’s Law Center’s long-time Appellate Director Melissa Colangelo as its Outstanding Legal Advocate of 2025. The award is presented to individuals demonstrating excellence in legal or policy advocacy through their career in child welfare and who have significantly elevated standards of child welfare practice in their community.
Thank you!
Thank you to the 3,500+ law firms, corporations, foundations and individual donors for making our work possible.
With your support, we are continuing to deliver tangible, measurable, life-changing results for DC children and families.
Thank You to Our Boards
Our Boards provide strategic and financial support to ensure we remain an anchor institution for children and families in the District for years to come.
*Danny’s name has been changed to protect his identity. Nadine’s situation is a representation of multiple families we worked with who were facing similar crises in 2025.