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- HURRICANE IDA: Nov. 10 deadline to apply for help from FEMA
- LASP provides state Helpline for disaster legal aid: 877-429-5994
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Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant from Legal Services Corp.
- Legal Aid Golf Classic PHOTOS
- Trial Run 5K PHOTOS
- Staff Attorney Susan Strong retires after 41+ years in legal aid
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Pro Bono Week in Bucks and Delaware counties: PHOTOS
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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New LASP resource: LIHEAP flyer for 2021-22
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November legal outreach: Veterans, expungements + more
- LASP in the news | Job announcements
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IMPORTANT: Deadline to apply for FEMA help in PA is Wednesday, Nov. 10
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Not sure whether or not you can get help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Hurricane Ida? FEMA recommends submitting an application! NOV. 10 IS THE DEADLINE TO APPLY! You may apply in person, online or by phone. See lasp.org/hurricane-ida for details. |
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Pop-up FEMA Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (mDRCs) are operating in Montgomery County, in addition to full-service Disaster Recovery Centers still open in Chester and Montgomery counties. More information on how and where to apply in person, online or by phone for FEMA help following Hurricane Ida is at lasp.org/hurricane-ida. The mDRC shown was in Norristown Oct. 21, at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. |
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LASP partners with PA legal aid organizations + ABA Young Lawyers to provide legal Helpline for those affected by Hurricane Ida: 877-429-5994
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Low-income survivors facing legal issues due to Hurricane Ida may call 877-429-5994 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., or leave a message.
Examples of legal help available may include:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) application and other benefits available to disaster survivors (and FEMA denials)
- Help with home repair contracts and contractors
- Replacement of identity documents (such as birth certificates, Social Security cards)
- Consumer protection matters
- Mortgage-foreclosure or landlord-tenant problems
- Life, medical, and property insurance claims
- What to expect when you call:
- Say that you are seeking storm-related legal assistance & give your county.
- You will be routed to the correct legal aid organization based on location.
- There are some limits on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available for cases that will produce a fee (i.e., those cases where fees are paid as part of a settlement or award from a court). Such cases will be referred to a lawyer referral service.
The assistance helpline, activated by Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, is in partnership with MidPenn Legal Services, North Penn Legal Services (NPLS), Philadelphia Legal Assistance, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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LSC Pro Bono Innovation Fund |
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LASP receives 3-year Pro Bono Innovation Grant from Legal Services Corp. |
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Goal: Improve pro bono assistance for low-income residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery counties |
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WASHINGTON – Legal Services Corp. (LSC) announced Oct. 14 that Legal Aid of Southeastern PA will receive a three-year $399,999 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues.
LASP will use the grant to develop a regional approach to pro bono work to better meet the legal needs of low-income people. The organization will analyze its current pro bono program and identify successful pro bono projects to replicate. The project will strengthen the entire pro bono program by providing more effective volunteer training and resources.
LASP will also work to strengthen collaborations with law schools, law firms and corporate legal departments to engage more volunteers in pro bono work on evictions, abuse protection and expungement.
U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon: “... By strengthening relationships with local partners and providing more effective training and resources, LASP will be able to engage more lawyers and non-legal professionals in pro bono service that can become part of the solution to persistent legal challenges in our region such as evictions, protection from abuse, and expungement. ...”
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick: “... The legal aid programs provided by Legal Services Corporation and Legal Aid of Southeastern PA are essential to obtaining legal justice for countless Americans across the country – including here in Pennsylvania. ...”
U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean: “… This funding will help grow their resources and their commitment to fair and accessible representation in our region – I am grateful for their transformative work with our constituents, and excited to continue to partner with them as they serve those most in need.”
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93% of people with landlord/tenant problems who had extended representation from a LASP attorney had a successful result. Families were connected to rental assistance and avoided eviction. Long-delayed repairs were made to unsafe homes.
Legal aid works – and it works best with your help. You can keep LASP working to help low-income people who can’t afford a lawyer by making your donation to LASP today at bit.ly/LegalAidHelps.
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2021 Legal Aid Golf Classic
BLUE BELL - Thank you to the Montgomery Bar Foundation (MBF) and Montgomery Bar Association (MBA) for hosting the 2021 Legal Aid Golf Classic Oct. 18 at Bluestone Country Club, Blue Bell. And THANK YOU to all sponsors, golfers, luncheon attendees, and raffle and silent auction supporters. It was great to see everyone in person! Once again, net proceeds will benefit Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and will be matched by the Montgomery Bar Foundation.
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Cary Flitter (at left) and Hon. Joseph Walsh. |
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Premium Sponsor High Schwartz's foursome, Kevin Cornish (at left), Mark R. Fischer, Jr., Richard C. Sokorai and David Brooman. |
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LASP Executive Director Shawn Boehringer shared some of LASP's work during COVID-19 at the luncheon. |
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Justin Bayer (at left), Sarinia Feinman, Jaqueline Reynolds, Lisa Shearman and Patrick Kurtas. |
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Michael J. Molder (at left) and Shawn Boehringer. |
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At the check-in table (from left): LASP Staff Attorneys Anthony Richardson, Christina Sorenson and Kathryn Palladino, and Norristown Managing Attorney Michael Kelly. |
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Robert Bacine (at left), with sponsors Patricia Mosesso and Ernest G. Szoke
of Morgan Wentworth LLC.
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Kesha James (at left), LASP Deputy Director for Advocacy; Nancy Walsh, owner of tbd NOW, LLC; Michael Kelley, Norristown Managing Attorney; Jennifer Pierce, VOCA Supervising Attorney; and Annie Williams-Neamand, Staff Attorney. |
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More Golf Classic photos!
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Trial Run 5K Run/Walk - Oct. 31 |
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A 'running' start to Halloween: 16th annual Trial Run 5K presented by the Chester County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee
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WAYNE - For the first time in its 16-year history, the Trial Run 5K featured a Halloween morning start time and a costume contest! More than 50 runners and walkers enjoyed early morning sunshine amidst maple trees ablaze at peak color in Wilson Farm Park, Wayne. Organized by the Chester Bounty Bar Association's Pro Bono Committee, the event supports Legal Aid of Southeastern PA.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all sponsors, organizers, runners and walkers!
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LASP staff joined members of the Chester County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee after the 2021 Trial Run 5K. From left: Erica Briant, Supervising Attorney, Community Engagement Unit: Ann Tydeman-Solomon, Development Director; Sara Planthaber, Hurricane Ida Helpline Specialist; Jennifer Pierce, VOCA Supervising Attorney; Shawn Boehringer, Executive Director; Catherine Voit, LASP Board of Directors and CCBA Pro Bono Committee; Brian Doyle, Staff Attorney & Chester County Pro Bono Coordinator; and John McKenna, LASP Board of Directors and CCBA Pro Bono Committee member. |
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More Trial Run 5K photos!
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2021 Pro Bono Week Oct. 24-30 |
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Thank you to LASP pro bono volunteers!
Pro Bono Week was Oct. 24-30! LASP extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our pro bono volunteers! YOU directly increase access to justice, and your service to clients and community is deeply appreciated.
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Bucks County Pro Bono Week |
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Bucks County Bar Association Pro Bono CLE, awards & reception in Doylestown - Oct. 28 |
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Elizabeth Wood Fritsch, former LASP Executive Director, and David Keller Trevaskis, PA Bar Association Pro Bono Coordinator. |
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Megan Reinprecht, LASP Staff Attorney; Shawn Boehringer, LASP Executive Director; and Morris Kaplan, pro bono attorney. Reinprecht presented part of the "lightning round" CLE on pro bono opportunities. She outlined the expedited marijuana pardon process. |
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Barbara Kaner (at left), LASP Staff Attorney; Carol Wilbur, Doylestown Office Manager; and Melanie Wender, LASP Board of Directors. |
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Greg Nardi, BCBA Executive Director, announces the Bucks County Keystone Attorneys with 50+ hours of pro bono service in one year. |
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Emily Norman (at left), BCBA Associate Director of Development & Marketing; Kristen Norcross, Administrative Assistant / Law Reporter; and Attorney Jill Richter.
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President Judge Wallace Bateman, Jr. discusses the importance of pro bono service to close the CLE. |
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More Bucks County Pro Bono Celebration photos
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Delaware County Pro Bono Week |
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MEDIA - The Delaware County Bar Association hosted two CLEs to celebrate 2021 Pro Bono Week. Thomas Kerstan (at left), LASP Staff Attorney and Delaware County Pro Bono Coordinator, is pictured with presenters at the Oct. 26 CLE, "Nuts and Bolts: The Basics of Custody Litigation," Gregory Hurchalla (second from left), Custody Hearing Officer; Amanda Konyk, Custody Hearing Officer; and Steven R. Koense, pro bono attorney.
The Oct. 28 Pro Bono Week CLE covered family law cases and "Divorce Basics in a Nutshell." Panelists were Christopher Murphy, Hearing Officer Edward Lawlor, Hearing Officer Jennifer Galante, and Steven Koense.
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Learn more about LASP's Pro Bono program! |
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Visit LASP's website pages for Pro Bono inspiration and opportunities, or register. You can work with a LASP Pro Bono attorney in Bucks, Chester, Delaware or Montgomery counties to make pro bono service work for your schedule! |
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month |
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Managing domestic violence in cases: MBA Family Law Section
NORRISTOWN - The Montgomery Bar Association's Family Law Section held a hybrid panel Oct. 6, "Helping Family Law Attorneys Identify and Manage Domestic Violence in Cases." The panelists, representing five major Montgomery County stakeholders dealing with domestic violence cases daily, shared techniques and tactics that family law attorneys can utilize to enhance their representation of domestic violence victims.
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From left: Rachel Becker, Staff Attorney at Laurel House & panel moderator; Hon. Kelly C. Wall, Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas; Brianna Ringwood, Captain of the Family Protection Unit, Montgomery County District Attorney's Office; Robin Jordan, Director of Primary Prevention and Awareness, Montgomery County Women's Center; Guy Marinari, LASP Staff Attorney; and Sharon Jones Hofer, Senior Staff Attorney, Montgomery County Child Advocacy Project. Photo courtesy of Montgomery Bar Association.
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"More than 1,000 warrants wiped at event: DA says 337 people had warrants cleared"
by Alex Rose | Delaware County Daily Times | Oct. 31, 2021 | bit.ly/3GBipwH
"16th Annual Trial Run 5K in support of Legal Aid of Southeastern PA"
"Plenty of COVID emergency rental relief is available. Why are some predicting an eviction crisis?"
by Jo Ciavaglia | Bucks County Courier Times & Doylestown Intelligencer | Oct. 26, 2021 | bit.ly/3byENZ6
"Need ID? Free ID Clinic Being Held In Bristol Twp."
"Free ID clinic to be held in Bristol Thursday"
Bucks County Courier Times & Doylestown Intelligencer | Oct. 26, 2021 | bit.ly/3GDLQhI
"Delco State Rep Hosting Expungement Clinic Next Month"
"As Some Small Landlords Sell To Big Investors, Others Show What Residents Stand To Lose"
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Retirement congratulations |
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Susan Strong retires after 41 years as legal aid Staff Attorney |
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NORRISTOWN - After more than 41 years as a legal aid attorney in Montgomery County, Susan Strong retired Oct. 29 from LASP. Early in her career, she handled family law matters including custody and Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and was legal aid's liaison for domestic violence.
More recently she worked in elder law, housing and public benefits. In an interview in her office Oct. 19, amidst thank you notes pinned to a bulletin board and paintings by her father, she reflected on working with clients. "Section 8 gives such a benefit. ... And we have so many clients where there's no way they can afford rent without a voucher."
Over the years, legal aid attorneys moved from generalists to specialists, although recently there has been increased focus on cross-training, she noted.
An alumna of Dickinson College for her undergraduate studies, Susan earned her J.D. from Temple University. Before starting with legal aid in Willow Grove, she worked at the Philadelphia Bail Fund.
The biggest change in the past few years? Technology, she said, noting, "Tech is more important than it was before." During COVID-19 she missed having hearings in person. "With our clients you really lose a lot, not having them appear in person before the judge or hearing officer," she said.
Her advice to young lawyers? "My advice to someone starting now would be to figure out one or two specialties that you want to do," she said. In retirement, Susan looks forward to spending more time with her grandchildren in New Jersey and Maryland.
Susan, congratulations on your retirement from LASP, and thank you for your service to clients!
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With Shawn Boehringer, Executive Director |
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Cake break! Front row: Jamelia Archer, Paralegal/Receptionist, and Christina Sorenson, Staff Attorney. Back row: Gia Clinton, Helpline Paralegal; Jahliyah Hall, Helpline Paralegal; Nanci Hoover, Helpline Supervising Attorney; Susan Strong; Natasha Towles, Fiscal Director; and Shawn Boehringer. |
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With Susan Rizzardi, Norristown Office Manager |
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Apply now for help!
Are you behind on rent or utility payments due to COVID-19? Apply NOW for help through your county. LASP's News webpage, bit.ly/rent-utility-help, links to programs WITH EXISTING FUNDING in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Landlords and utility companies get paid through this funding, and tenants avoid eviction. Flyers for each program are provided. Live elsewhere in PA? Find the program in your county. |
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2021-22 LIHEAP home heating flyer for the 4 counties |
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. The 2021-22 program opened Oct. 18, 2021, and will close May 6, 2022.
LASP's new 2021-22 LIHEAP flyer is at right.
Cash grants are $500-$1,500.
Eligibility: 150% of the federal poverty line; home heating responsibility; Pennsylvania resident.
Crisis grants are $25-$1,200 for emergency furnace/service line repair or replacement; broken heating equipment or leaking lines; lack of fuel; shut-off; danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply); danger of having utility service terminated (you've received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days).
Additional crisis grant eligibility: Actual or imminent home heating emergency that can be resolved by the grant. For furnace repair, system must have been operable within last year.
Resources:
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Legal clinics in Glenside & Bristol |
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Expungement Clinic with Montco Defenders & U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean
GLENSIDE - LASP and the Montgomery County Public Defenders' Office partnered with U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean for an Expungement Clinic Saturday, Oct. 16 in Glenside. LASP's Community Engagement Unit staff joined Congresswoman Dean (third from left) for a photo before the clinic. From left: Erica Briant, Supervising Attorney; Megan Reinprecht, Staff Attorney; Rep. Dean; LASP interns Dominick Resto-Harper and Danielle Paterno, and Legal Fellow Jordan Shead.
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ID clinic with Penn Community Bank & Bristol Township Senior Center
BRISTOL TOWNSHIP - 125 people attended the Oct. 28 ID clinic presented by LASP's Bristol Office and sponsored by Penn Community Bank. Held at Bristol Township Senior Center, the clinic helped people apply for replacement identification documentation such as birth certificates, state identification, and Social Security cards. In addition, most attendees also received brief advice regarding FEMA assistance, Small Business Administration loans, public benefits and government benefits, Bucks County Housing Link, Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance (BERA), other housing resources, and obtaining replacement documents on their own, if LASP could not assist with the applications.
Pictured at the clinic: Stephanie Schwartzberg (at far end of table), Penn Community Bank Executive Vice President & General Counsel; Joshua Goldblum, LASP Bristol Managing Attorney; and Tesla Thomas, LASP Staff Attorney.
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In person: ID clinics in Exton
Wednesdays 1-3 p.m. & Fridays 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
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EXTON - Need ID? Beginning Sept. 22, free ID clinics are held every Wednesday 1–3 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m–12 p.m. The clinics will be at PA CareerLink, 479 Thomas Jones Way, Suite 500, Exton, PA 19380. They are held in partnership with LASP, the United Way of Chester County's Financial Stability Center, and PA CareerLink of Chester County.
We can help you get these ID documents:
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- State ID
- Driver's license
What to expect:
- You will meet with a trained volunteer for assistance to get identification documents.
- Services will be available in both Spanish and English.
If you have SOME documents, please bring them:
(Bring any of these documents that you have available. They can make the process faster.)
- 2 recent pieces of mail addressed to you (utility bills, pay stubs, bank statements)
- Lease agreement, tax return, vehicle registration, etc.
- School or college photo ID, military ID, employee ID, work permit, firearms permit, prisoner ID with release papers
- Birth certificate, Social Security card, State ID, driver's license, U.S. or non-U.S. Passport
- Citizenship, naturalization papers
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Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.
PA Rep. Leanne Krueger is hosting a free Virtual Expungement Clinic Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in partnership with Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and NAACP Media Area Branch. Attorneys will provide information about criminal record expungement options and resources, and there will be an opportunity for participants to meet individually with an attorney in a private Zoom room.
Registration is required. Call Rep. Krueger’s office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net for details.
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In person: Free Wills for Veterans - Nov. 9 & 10 in Norristown
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Tuesday, Nov. 9 & Wednesday, Nov. 10
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9 a.m.-5 p.m. (last time slot is 4 p.m.)
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at the Norristown Vet Center, 320 E. Johnson Hwy #201, Norristown, PA 19401
NORRISTOWN - Free wills will be provided to veterans and their dependents on Tuesday, Nov. 9 and Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, in a partnership between the Norristown Vet Center and LASP.
You must register by calling Chanel Santiago at 215-823-5245. Time slots are limited! One-hour time slots start at 9 a.m., and the last time slot each day will start at 4 p.m. The event will take place at the Norristown Vet Center.
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In person: Monthly legal clinics in Exton Nov. 16 & Dec. 21 |
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EXTON - A free legal clinic will be Tuesday, Nov. 16 and Tuesday, Dec. 21. Each session will be from 9 a.m.-noon at PA CareerLink, 479 Thomas Jones Way, Suite 500, Exton, PA 19380. The clinics are in partnership with LASP, the United Way of Chester County's Financial Stability Center, and PA CareerLink of Chester County.
To schedule a 30-minute appointment with a Legal Aid of Southeastern PA attorney, contact Edwina at 610-429-9400, ext. 4115 or ejohnson@uwchestercounty.org.
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Virtual: Clean Slate Workshops Nov. 16 & Dec. 14
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Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 4-5 p.m. Register in advance at this Zoom link: bit.ly/3GlFHq6
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Tuesday, Dec. 14 from 4-5 p.m. Register in advance: bit.ly/3mrpCrf.
After you register, you will receive the meeting link through email.
The workshops will help individuals with criminal records who may have been denied employment or other services because of their record. Participants will learn about the Clean Slate and expungement process, eligibility, and learn how to proceed. Open to the public. Questions? Email ccch@comcast.net.
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with Montgomery County Public Defender's Office
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The weekly clinic hours are intended to be a virtual version of the “walk-in” intake hours LASP offered before COVID-19. People can log onto Zoom and talk individually with Lily, one-on-one.
When: Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m.
Who: Montgomery County Public Defender clients
Where: Virtual
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From the Zoom app: Click join meeting, enter Meeting ID: 874 9396 5977
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Call in: Dial 929-205-6099 on your phone, and enter the Meeting ID above.
- Computer: https://tinyurl.com/LASPandPD. (If you enter this URL on your smartphone, you will be be asked to download the zoom app.)
NOTE: Montgomery County Public Defender clients also can call LASP's Helpline for civil legal issues (housing, family, public benefits, employment issues, and more), especially if they have a pressing deadline of seven days or less from any Wednesday. The Helpline, 877-429-5994, is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Questions? Contact Lily Austin, Esq., Independence Fellow, at laustin@lasp.org.
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We're hiring!
LASP has multiple
job openings
Stay tuned for additional jobs coming soon.
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If you received e-news as a forwarded email, or if you found it on social media, please subscribe at lasp.org/enews or email Marion Hoffman Fraley, Communications Director, at mfraley@lasp.org.
E-news is published 11-12 times per year.
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Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
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Copyright ©2021. All Rights Reserved. |
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