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Newsletter                                   January 2016
In This Issue
LSC Analysis Shows Increased Poverty Rate in LASP Service Area
Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans, and LASP is one of its 134 legal aid organization grantees. LSC analysis of recent census numbers shows increased poverty rates in the four counties that LASP serves.  The number of people below federal poverty guidelines increased by an average of 14% across Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties between 2010 and 2014. 

Nationally, the number of poor residents in the suburbs of the country's largest metropolitan areas has grown substantially, and now, more poor people live in the suburbs than in cities.

Click on this map to see poverty rates in the suburban Philadelphia region. 
LASP welcomes  AmeriCorps  JD,  Equal Justice Works  Program Intern 

Jennifer Willis is a second year law student at  Delaware Law School and is working with Erica Briant, Esq, the Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow at LASP whose project focuses largely on expungements.

"I truly value my time with Legal Aid! The most valuable experience thus far is the sense of gratification from our clients when they are finally able to attain gainful employment, vital access to education, and/or sensible housing," says Jennifer.

"As a future attorney, I hope to effectively impact the community. Legal Aid is one of the best places to achieve that goal."
Highlights from the Counties
Bucks County

HUBBUB and Direct Services Coalition are two organizations of agencies in Bucks County that provide direct services to county residents.  Rodlena Sales, Esq., Staff Attorney in LASP's Bucks County office, gave presentations at both organizations  recently, providing information about LASP's services, client income requirements, and a brief overview about the Public Benefits program and LIHEAP  ( Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)   services through DHS. 
Chester County

Landlord/Tenant Rights and
You: 
 
What You Need to Know 
Workshop

When:
February 19 at  11:30 a.m.

Where:
United Way Financial Stability Center                        
479 Thomas Jones Way, Suite 500  Exton, PA 1934

Registration information is available here.
Delaware County

Christina Drzal, Esq., Staff Attorney in LASP's Delaware County Office, recently gave a presentation on Landlord/Tenant law to students in Delaware County Community College's KEYS program. Ms. Drzal spoke about how to evaluate a lease, how to force a landlord to repair substandard housing, and the rights of tenants who are being evicted.

KEYS (Keystone Education Yields Success) is a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare program designed to help recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) succeed in community college. 
Montgomery County

Scams, Fraud and Consumer Protection

Victimization of the elderly is a growing trend across the country, and the financial scams aimed at them are becoming more sophisticated, making seniors even more vulnerable to abuse. LASP can help seniors learn about consumer protection issues and ways to protect themselves from fraud and scams at the following community education programs:

February 2 - Palm Senior Center
12:30 p.m.

William Shimer, Esq. and Susan Strong, Esq., attorneys from LASP's Montgomery County office, will speak to seniors at the Palm Senior Center, 117 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, PA.

March 9 - KleinLife Montgomery County
11:00 a.m.

William Shimer, Esq. will speak to seniors at KleinLife: Montgomery County, 7763 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA.

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA | 610-275-5400| www.lasp.org


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