Jennifer Cronenberg, NOSSCR Chief Counsel for Legal Education & Disability Law

Rudolph Patterson was a visionary who helped found NOSSCR and dedicated his life to advocacy for those with disabilities. He believed deeply in NOSSCR’s core tenant that ongoing training and learning is essential to the strength of our profession.

During his life, Mr. Patterson was instrumental in encouraging private attorneys to represent SSI claimants. He was well known for creating several partnerships between legal services organizations and private attorneys to further this goal. I am proud to report that NOSSCR has continued to foster important relationships with legal services organizations nationwide. We are privileged to count many leading legal services and nonprofit representatives among our membership. Their voices and advocacy are critical to the health and success of our profession. But these groups operate on exceedingly tight financial margins, and this year has been especially devastating for many nonprofits who have seen federal grants disappear.

That’s why I wanted to take a moment, during this season of generosity, to encourage those of you who can, to consider a tax-deductible donation to the Rudolph Patterson Scholarship fund through the NOSSCR Foundation. Recognizing Mr. Patterson’s commitment to the importance of supporting our legal services members and ensuring adequate representation for SSI claimants, in 2014, NOSSCR created the Rudolph Patterson Scholarship. This fund supports NOSSCR members with financial need—allowing those who would otherwise be unable to attend conferences to do so.

I know that our profession is not a lucrative one. Many of you operate on tight margins whether you operate for profit or not. But for those of you who find yourselves with a little extra financial wiggle room at year’s end, I encourage you to support your fellow NOSSCR members.

Your generous contributions directly support the education and professional development of your fellow members—support that leads to crucial initiatives like increased representation for SSI claimants and for post-entitlement claims, improvements to the overpayments process, and advocacy for the simplification of the SSI process.

Mr. Patterson envisioned an organization where professional collaboration is key to mutual success. At NOSSCR, we are proud to uphold and continue this vision, and we hope that you will join us by supporting your colleagues whenever you are able to do so.

To make a tax-deductible donation, please click on the button below.

To apply or nominate someone for a Rudolph Patterson Scholarship, please email a description of the need and a profile of the potential recipient to nosscr@nosscr.org.

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