Dear Friends,
 
Spring is finally making its way! The transition from winter to spring is always a positive and welcome change. I look, with anticipation, to greener fields, warmer air, and renewed energy. This month, let's focus on making better decisions for ourselves and our families, beginning with our overall health and well-being.

During the past few months, MidPenn advocates and staff focused on developing the newly established Center for Justice and Equity. The Center balances the scales through a sustainable approach to health and wellness within underserved communities within our service area. Click here to check out the resources available under the Justice & Equity Center.
 
Lastly, we continue to provide information virtually through our informative and educational webinars on tax, housing, or family law topics. Follow our digital platforms to stay updated on current events and happenings. So, whether I see you on my computer or in person, I and everyone at MidPenn are determined to keep you informed and connect with you. Enjoy the nice weather, stay healthy, and I look forward to seeing you in person soon!
 
Rhodia D. Thomas, Esq.
Executive Director
Case Highlights
Victims of Identity Theft

Our clients, a retired husband and wife, were victims of a widescale identity theft starting in December 2020. They were able to resolve some of these issues on their own, but in September 2022 they received a notice from the IRS that they had failed to report gambling earnings. The clients had never visited any of the casinos listed on the IRS report, and did not have any gambling income in 2020. When they contacted MidPenn's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, we assisted them in filing an Identity Theft Affidavit to contest the IRS’ position. The IRS reviewed the Affidavit and the background surrounding the prior identity theft, and ultimately agreed that the income reported was fraudulent and not part of the clients’ income for 2020. As a result, they reversed their determination and the clients had their tax balance reduced to $0.  
Advocacy
Illegal Evictions:

MidPenn Legal Services handles many illegal eviction cases each year. What does an illegal eviction look like? The Legal Services Corporation prepared a short video to answer that question.

If you know someone who is being evicted illegally, we may be able to help.
Community Outreach:

On March 28, 2023, MidPenn Attorney Jillian Copeland will be conducting a free presentation about the services MidPenn provides to the community at Bosler Memorial Library. The event is from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and no registration is required to attend.

MidPenn Attorney Robin J. Foor will be conducting an Expungement Clinic on April 12, 2023. The clinic is being hosted by the PA CareerLink of Centre County. Registration is required. Call: 814-548-7587.
Across MidPenn's Offices
SAFE: Project SAFE (Safeguarding vulnerable populations Against Financial Exploitation) is well underway. The Project SAFE is funded by the Interest on Lawyer Trust Account Board. The new Project SAFE attorney, Daniel Handley, is housed in Gettysburg but is serving our entire program area. Through this Project, he is providing legal advice and representation to seniors and individuals with disabilities who are facing financial exploitation. Attorney Handley is also conducting community education events. Currently, he is been working with Lancaster staff to schedule presentations across Lancaster County. To date, he is scheduled to participate in five presentations at Lancaster County senior centers in March and April. Attorney Handley is raising awareness about all things related to Powers of Attorney, including how to select a good agent and the duties of the agent. Look for Attorney Handley at Senior Expos and outreach events in your area.

Ombudsman Program - Adams County: Our Ombudsman, Melissa Saltzgiver, has begun some community outreach activities in the hope of recruiting volunteers to serve as ombudsmen. She has been distributing volunteer ombudsman flyers throughout the county, doing meet-and-greets with executive directors of local community centers to spread the word of the Ombudsman program, and has begun preparations to establish a PEER (Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents) group in one of the long-term care facilities.
Family Law Attorney: Thank you to the York County (PA) Bar Association/York County Bar Foundation for their support of MidPenn's Family Law Attorney. Deputy Director for Operations Carrie Bowmaster and Attorney Iman Woodyard attended the presentation.

Pictured l-r: Carrie Bowmaster, York Bar Board President Christy Fawcett and Iman Woodyard.
Join us on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. for a Webinar titled:
Protection through Powers of Attorney and Other Documents. The discussion will focus on the following area: What is a POA? Why do I need a POA? What happens if I don't have a POA? What's the rush? How does a POA protect me and my family? What things can an agent handle? What should I do after I complete a POA?
Recent Alumna Award Winner

Congratulations to MidPenn Attorney Iman Woodyard! On March 22, 2023, Dickinson Law's Women's Law Caucus will recognize two alumnae at a ceremony in Lewis Katz Hall. Imani will receive the Recent Alumna Award and the Honorable Alicea Elloras-Ally will receive the Honorable Sylvia H. Rambo Award. Read more.
Tax Season: MidPenn's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) provides free legal advice and representation in tax controversies. MidPenn's attorney handles IRS cases involving tax audits, wage garnishments, innocent spouse defenses, appeals to the U.S. Tax Court, withheld refunds, reducing tax debt and negotiating payment plans. If you, or someone you know, needs help in an issue involving the IRS, call 844-MPLS TAX (844-675-7829). The LITC does not provide tax return preparation.
Upcoming Online Campaigns
Give Local York - May 4 & 5, 2023
Centre Gives - May 10 & 11, 2023

For more information click here for our events calendar: Events Calendar
Board of Directors
Michael J. Pykosh, Esq., President 
James P. DeAngelo, Esq., President-Elect - Justine Boatwright, Vice President
Jerry A. Philpott, Esq., Treasurer - Lee Rager, Sr., Secretary
Yaqinah Abdurrahman - Susan E. Bardo - Adam D. Boyer, Esq. - Joy Burton 
Dr. Raff Donelson - Ian M. Ehrgood, Esq. -  Andrew F. Fick, Esq.
Michael M. Kipphan, Esq. - Thomas D. O'Shea, Esq. - Sheila V. O'Rourke, Esq.
Crystal Roan - Debra A. Smith, Esq. 
Kathleen Pratt Swartz - Suzanne M. Trinh, Esq. - Amanda Sholtis, Esq. - Lurnetta Young
Administration
Rhodia D. Thomas, Esq., Executive Director
Laurie Baughman, Esq., Deputy Director for Legal Advocacy
Carrie Bowmaster, Esq., Deputy Director for Operations
Elizabeth Truntz, Director of Finance - Shawn Geesaman, Director of Technology
Eliz Nestorov, Director of Development - Valerie West, Esq., Director of Compliance
MidPenn Legal Services is a private, nonprofit law firm providing free civil legal services to residents in these Pennsylvania counties: Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Schuylkill and York. Contributions to MidPenn are tax-deductible as allowed by law. MidPenn Legal Services is a tax-exempt corporation under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3). The official registration and financial information of MidPenn Legal Services may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999..Registration does not imply endorsement. MidPenn may not expend funds for any activity prohibited by the Legal Services Corporation Act, 42 U.S.C..2996 et seq. or by Public Law 104-134. Public Law 104-134 §504(d) requires that notice of these restrictions be given to all funders of programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation.