Margaret Goins was born and raised in Washington, DC. As a child of color, living in the seat of the nation’s government, she was witness to the various causes and concerns of people who made their way there to be heard. From the 1964 March on Washington to Robert Kennedy’s funeral procession, she has had a front row seat on much of the upheaval of the past half century. She is keenly aware of the rights people demand and their willingness to sacrifice for them.

Journeying to Howard University, Margaret became a member of the distinguished Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BBA in Finance in 1979. Margaret continued on at Howard where she completed her MBA in Labor Relations in 1981.

Margaret spent the next 10+ years working in the corporate sector but, after experiencing some deeply personal struggles, Margaret sought a new direction in her life. Leaving the corporate world behind, Margaret started anew in San Francisco. Her journey ultimately led her to her life’s passion – working in the nonprofit sector in order to advocate on behalf of people who are disenfranchised and homeless.

In 2002, Margaret sought out volunteer opportunities with homeless service organizations, which led her to the Homeless Advocacy Project where she began volunteering as a receptionist. Obviously overqualified for her initial position, after a year of volunteering at HAP, Margaret joined the HAP staff as a SSI Advocate. In 2008, she was promoted to Senior SSI Legal Advocate, where she trains and supervises SSI Advocates and volunteer attorneys.

Driven to help those who are living on the cusp, Margaret is fueled by a depth of experiences which have enabled her to relate to her clients with a keen perspective and sense of compassion and purpose. Margaret is the purest and most tenacious of advocates, who strives every day to make a difference in her clients’ lives.