Northland Donates $50,000 to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition
National real estate firm proudly supports reinstatement of voting rights to
returning citizens
NEWTON, MA (October 23, 2020) – Northland Investment Corporation, today announced the company’s donation of $50,000 to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC). Created after Amendment 4, the “Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative” was passed by Florida voters in 2018, the FRRC works to make sure eligible returning citizens (formerly convicted persons) are registered and able to vote. The organization both financially assists returning citizens to pay court-mandated fines and lobbies state officials on voter disenfranchisement policies, particularly policies affecting those with convictions.
“We want to thank Northland for their incredibly generous donation” said Neil Volz, FRRC’s Deputy Director. “We are heartened by those in Florida’s business community who are invested in the coalition’s mission of expanding democracy. This gift bolsters our fight to tear down barriers and will, by itself, ensure that at least fifty individuals can participate in democracy.”
For more than 25 years, Northland has been a leading multifamily owner and operator in the state of Florida. The company currently provides homes to more than 9,000 families across the state and employees more than 200 Florida residents. Giving back to the communities in which Northland operates is a core part of the organization’s mission, with the key focus areas of combatting homelessness, women’s initiatives, and social justice.
“The right to vote is innate and sacred in America, not one conditioned on financial resources” said Larry Gottesdiener, Chairman and CEO of Northland. “The 2020 election is critical, and we believe every Floridian should have the opportunity to participate in the central democratic tenet which is increasingly under assault by those looking to disenfranchise predominantly Black and Brown voters. Northland feels an obligation to stand up to this effort to perpetuate the status quo of widening inequalities and systemic racism.”
The most recent illustration of Northland’s commitment to civic responsibility is how they designated Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd as a paid company holiday so employees in all states where Northland operates can be sure to have sufficient time to vote or even volunteer at the polls. Northland has also provided every employee with a face mask that states “Your Vote Matters” in the hopes that each employee will wear the non-partisan mask as a reminder for all Northland employees and residents to make sure their voices are heard on Election Day.
According to the Sentencing Project, 6.1 million Americans are barred from participating in the electoral process nationally. The FRRC is currently working to restore the voting rights of 774,000 Floridians, many of whom owe less than $1,500 in fines stemming from a felony conviction (excluding murder or felony sexual offenses). So far this year FRRC has paid the fines and fees for more than 40,000 returning citizens, making them eligible to register to vote if they want.
About the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition
FRRC is a grassroots, membership organization run by Returning Citizens (Formerly Convicted Persons) who are dedicated to ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions and creating a more comprehensive and humane reentry system that will enhance successful reentry, reduce recidivism, and increase public safety. For more information, visit https://floridarrc.com/