The Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Pro Se Assistance Clinic launched on September 1, 2022, to provide virtual pro bono consultations to individuals throughout the Middle District of Florida, from Jacksonville to Fort Myers. It needs volunteers. The clinic offers debtors and creditors with an opportunity to meet, virtually or by telephone, with a bankruptcy attorney for a half-hour consultation at no charge to them. You can volunteer from the comfort of your home or office, and you can select the dates and times you are available to provide pro bono assistance. 

If you are willing to support the clinic, please visit the clinic’s website by clicking here and instructions to register as a volunteer. Additionally, should you come across an unrepresented party in a bankruptcy case who may benefit from an attorney consultation, please consider sharing this link with them. If you have any questions, please contact the clinic administrator at info@bankruptcyproseclinic.com or Kathleen DiSanto at kdisanto@bushross.com. Michael Schumpert is the program administrator.

The Legislature has authorized DFS to provide a matching grant to eligible homeowners up to $10,000 for the actual cost of qualifying home hurricane mitigation projects. The program will provide $2 in grant funds for every $1 the homeowner provides. In order to receive the maximum grant amount, homeowners must provide $5,000 of their own funds toward the project.

The My Safe Florida Homes Program consist of two primary components:

1. Wind Mitigation Home Inspections
2. Wind Mitigation Grant awards for home construction

For more information on the program and eligibility requirements, please click here.

Seminole County is seeking to repair homes that have sustained hurricane damage caused by Hurricane Ian. You may be eligible for an insurance deductible grant for up to $20,000. The Hurricane Disaster Recovery program is designed to provide funds in the form of grants to qualified applicants whose homes have sustained damage from a storm event or other natural disaster.

To apply please email DIA_CD@seminolecountyfl.gov and send your name, address, and phone number with a short description of the assistance needed. Seminole County staff will contact you and discuss your situation to determine if we can help. Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received. They will also be accepted based on funding availability and the program can close without further notice. Assistance is provided based on eligibility and on a first-ready, first served basis.

For more information: https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/news/disaster-recovery-assistance.stml

The last Legal Advice Clinic at Seminole State for the year take place December 8th from 9:00am-12:00pm. As a college student, there are already so many important things pressing on your mind like exam due dates, homework assignments, and juggling your personal responsibilities, the last thing you should have to worry about is an eviction or timesharing issues. Our staff attorneys will be on campus at the Sanford Branch Student Services Building room SC260 in order to help student address any legal concerns they have that may be affecting their ability to focus on graduation.

Join us for the last in-person Sealing and Expungement workshop for the year on December 7th at 5:30pm! This event takes place at the North Branch of the Seminole County Public Library at 150 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL 32771.

Don't let that arrest on your record prevent you from getting the job of your dreams. In partnership with Goodwill Industries, our office holds a workshop to learn from our experienced volunteer attorneys how to seal or expunge your record.

You may qualify if you had:

• Adjudication withheld or charges dropped
• AND never previously sealed or expunged your record

To check the list of disqualifying crimes, click here.

We are delighted to announce that our Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser will be taking place on Friday, December 16^th at 11:30am at the Heathrow Country Club. We are so excited to be able to gather with friends, colleagues, and community partners to celebrate and do good for our community, but before we can do that, we first need your help.

We are looking for items to be donated in kind. Please contact Pro-Bono Coordinator, Camryn Williams at camrynw@scbalas.com or (407) 834-1660 ext. 114 for more information on how to donate.

We thank you in advance for your consideration!

We are so excited for our 'Tis the Season silent auction that we can't keep these amazing items a secret anymore. Take a look at some of the items that you can take home on December 16th. All proceeds from our raffle and silent auction go toward our outreach programs and daily legal counsel and advice as well as representation services.

The Bureau of Victim Compensation's brochure provides useful information for those within our communities that have fallen victim to such crimes. The resources provided are:

1. Toll-Free Victim Services Information and Referral Line 1-800-226-6667
2. Benefits Available
3. How to Apply
4. Qualification Guidelines for Applying
5. Information Need to Apply
6. Next Steps after a Claim is Submitted

To view the full brochure and get complete information please click here.

Also, to view a list of other resources available to victims of crime please click here.

Upcoming Events

December 7, 2022 - ProjectRise Presentation

December 7, 2022 - In-Person Sealing and Expungement

December 8, 2022 - Seminole State College Legal Advice Clinic

December 15, 2022 - Veterans Free Legal Advice Clinic

December 16, 2022 - 'Tis the Season Silent Auction