“My experience has just been really welcoming [and] I guess I could say beneficial. It’s been successful because everything that we’ve done so far has led to work being done that I could not afford.” – Dominga Martin, Founder of the After School Arts Program.
Dominga Martin founded the After School Arts Program in 2020, aiming to provide an outlet for youth interested in film and other creative careers who have limited resources for expressing their creativity.
“I am an alum of Boston’s first youth outreach programs, which changed the trajectory of my life,” Dominga said. “Now, as an independent producer and director, when the pandemic happened, I thought, ‘How did I get here?’”
Dominga tried getting assistance in setting up the 501(c)(3), but no one ever returned her calls. She reached out to Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA)’s New York office, which referred her to Lawyers Clearinghouse.
Lawyers Clearinghouse’s Nonprofit Assistance Program (NAP) connects Massachusetts nonprofits to pro bono legal assistance, supporting organizations through a range of legal matters.
Through the NAP, she worked with a team of attorneys to set up the 501(c)(3). She also needed to terminate an agreement with her fiscal sponsor. However, her connection with the Clearinghouse did not end after receiving a
referral for her legal matter.
Given her experience as a client, she was asked to be part of the NAP’s Client’s Committee, where she provides feedback and support to the Nonprofit Programs Manager on how to support and engage the community and organizations like hers. Dominga said she felt welcomed by the Lawyers Clearinghouse and reflected on how her experiences demonstrate Clearinghouse values in action.
“[My experience] shows that Lawyers Clearinghouse is really interested in community engagement and really lifting the community with advice or guidance on formulating not-for-profits,” Dominga said. The After School Arts Program continues to provide meaningful engagement opportunities for community youth, with participants receiving the “Best Youth Film” award during the 2024 Roxbury International Film Festival.
