“You are a force on earth,

a mountain mover,”

“You ended three months of distress,” she wrote.

Please make your donation to LASP at bit.ly/LegalAidHelps. Thank you!

Monday, Jan. 10: Deadline to apply for FEMA help

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline to apply for help from Hurricane Ida damage to Monday, Jan. 10.

Homeowners and renters who sustained property damage, which wasn’t covered by insurance, in Bedford, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and York counties now have until Jan. 10 to apply for FEMA assistance. Sara Planthaber, LASP's Hurricane Ida Helpline Specialist, also noted, "FEMA funds can also be used to cover losses in excess of an insurance award. For example, if it costs $20,000 to repair a roof and insurance will only cover $10,000, a homeowner could request $10,000 in FEMA assistance to pay the rest of the cost."

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA is working with MidPenn Legal Services, North Penn Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Legal Services Corp. and FEMA to provide disaster legal aid. For local, state and federal resources, visit lasp.org/hurricane-ida.

Click on each image below for downloadable one-page flyers on the following Ida-related issues:

The storm may have passed, but legal problems stemming from Hurricane Ida continue.

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA needs pro bono attorneys to assist in the recovery effort. Specific case types where pro bono assistance is needed include insurance claims and legal problems related to home repair contracts and contractors. FREE TRAINING IS AVAILABLE! Learn more in our website News article.

NORRISTOWN - The Montgomery Bar Foundation (MBF) presented LASP with a ceremonial check for $48,430, representing funds raised from the annual Legal Aid Golf Classic Oct. 18. The event was held in the fall as a result of the pandemic. As always, this year’s contribution to Legal Aid of Southeastern PA included matching funds on net proceeds, provided by the Montgomery Bar Association with the help of event participants and sponsors. THANK YOU to the Montgomery Bar Foundation and Montgomery Bar Association for your support!

Front row (from left): MBF Trustee Gary J. Friedlander, Esq.; MBF President William H. Pugh, V, Esq.; MBA Executive Director Denise S. Vicario, Esq.; MBF Secretary Kate M. Harper, Esq.; Honorary Trustee and LASP Executive Director Shawn Boehringer, Esq., and MBF Trustee Richard A. Simon, Esq. of the Montgomery County Public Defender's Office.

Second row: MBF Trustees Cary L. Flitter, Esq. and Gregory Cowhey, ASA, CVA of RSM US, LLP; MBF Vice President Colin J. O'Boyle, Esq.; Honorary Trustee Virginia Frantz of the Montgomery County Foundation, Inc.; MBF Trustees Michael L. Rainone of Customers Bank and Patrick J. Kurtas, Esq.

Not pictured, but in attendance virtually: MBF Trustees Sarinia M. Feinman, Esq. and Elizabeth Early, Esq. Also missing from the photo: MBF Treasurer Robert A. Bacine, Esq. and MBF Trustees William L. Landsburg, Esq., Paul G. Mullin, Esq., and Daniel P. Geraghty, CFP of Hirtle, Callaghan & Co.

WEST CHESTER - The Chester County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chester County Bar Association, awarded $175,000 in grants to LASP and other local nonprofit organizations on Dec. 2. The grants support the foundation’s mission to help Chester County citizens understand, gain access to and benefit from the legal system by providing support for programs and services related to the law.

LASP thanks both the Chester County Bar Foundation and the Chester County Bar Association, which each made a challenge grant of $20,000 to the 2021 attorney campaign for LASP in Chester County. 

Front row (from left): Samuel Cortes, Esq., 2021 Chester County Bar Foundation President; Victoria Long, Legal Advocate, SeniorLAW Center; Kim Booz, Director of Advocacy, The Arc of Chester County; Angela Halse, Esq., Director of Legal Services, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County; Terri Potrako, Executive Director, Volunteer English Program of Chester County; and John Fiorillo, Esq., 2021 Chester County Bar Association President.

Back row: Shawn Boehringer, Esq., Executive Director, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania; Bill Lockard, Pastor, Christ the King Deaf Church; Doug Olshin, Esq., Board Member, Family Service of Chester County; Christine Zaccarelli, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, Crime Victims Center of Chester County; Tyler Changaris, Director, Family Service of Chester County; Basil Joy, Esq., Board of Directors, Gateway HorseWorks; Steffani Witmer, Chief Operating Officer, Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children and Cathryn Miller-Wilson, Esq., Executive Director, HIAS Pennsylvania.

Hot off the press! The Lawfully Delicious Cookbook, produced by the Chester County Paralegal Association, is now available for purchase! More than 75 mouth-watering and savory recipes at your fingertips…White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake...Bourbon Braised Brisket (say that five times fast)…Warm Figs with Gorgonzola & Pancetta…Baked Potato Soup…Chicken Cacciatore! Order at chescoparalegal.org/news.

Each cookbook is $20 each, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Chester County Paralegal Association, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and other nonprofit organizations in the Chester County area. Payments may be made by credit card, check or cash.

"Chester County Bar Foundation awards $175,000 to local nonprofits"

West Chester Daily Local | Dec. 7, 2021 | bit.ly/3Gp9kG9

Unionville Times | Dec. 10, 2021 | bit.ly/3DRO4av

"Justice Department and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Put Landlords and Mortgage Servicers on Notice About Servicemembers’ and Veterans’ Rights"

PA Legal Aid Network | Dec. 20, 2021 | https://bit.ly/3qzFwQU

"Bucks County's hotel homeless living on the edge, but say it's better than the streets. Here's a look inside"

by James McGinnis | Bucks County Courier Times and Doylestown Intelligencer | Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 | Front page | https://bit.ly/3EXx3Nt

"Hurricane Ida destroyed affordable rental units. Hundreds of families still can’t find new ones. In a fierce competition for housing, lower income residents, especially renters, may face fewer options."

by Ellie Rushing | Philadelphia Inquirer | Dec. 9, 2021 | https://bit.ly/3EGNH3S

Did you already receive help from Delco ERA? You may be eligible to receive more help. Applications opened Dec. 15, 2021. First-time applicants can still apply.

MEDIA - Delaware County announced a second round of funding to help low-income tenants with rent and utility assistance as they recover from the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.

Due to the successful allocation of funding of Delco ERA, Delaware County will receive an additional $30.3 million in new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding from the U.S. Treasury and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The second phase will help Delco ERA continue to serve tenants and landlords who are still in

need as the economic crisis caused by COVID19 continues.

Details on Delco ERA and how to apply: LASP's website news page, or visit delco-era.com.

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, has links and flyers for programs WITH EXISTING FUNDING in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

Landlords and utility companies get paid through this funding, and tenants avoid eviction. Live elsewhere in PA? Find the program in your county.

LASP's updated brochure, with updated locations and practice areas, is now available in Spanish translation thanks to Helpline Paralegal Venezla Moses.

Both the English and Spanish versions of the brochure are available for download at lasp.org/brochure, or click image at right.

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.

For eligibility and how to apply, including in-person locations in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, see article and downloadable flyer on LASP's website News page, or click image at right for one-page flyer.

LASP Staff Attorney Deborah Steeves will hold a virtual workshop on PA Clean Slate and expungements Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

The workshop is free and open to the public. It is held in partnership with United Way of Chester County and PA CareerLink of Chester County.

CHESTER city - Join Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and Safe Corridors for “Reentry, Resetting, and Redemption Pardon Symposium and Clinic: Part III" Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. at Alumni Auditorium at Widener University, 1 University Place, Chester, PA 19013.

Just announced: one of the speakers will be Saad Soliman, National Reentry Systems Subject Matter Expert. Additional speakers will be added to the panel. Jonathan Abdur-Rahim King, Reentry Professional, is event organizer.

The event is free. RSVP REQUIRED. Please RSVP to Megan Reinprecht, LASP Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney, at 484-206-8101 or mreinprecht@lasp.org.

Aivazoglou & Mikropolous, Attorneys at Law; Amachi Chester Mentoring Program; Big Var’s Water Ice; Cavalry Cleaning Services LLC; Chester Cultural Arts & Technology Center; Chester Housing Authority; Chester Peace Initiative; City of Chester; CMP Radio; Creative Artist Support Team; Crown Me Fit; Delaware County Public Defender; Dream Event Space; EDSI; Elite Facility Services; Emir Healing Center; The Empowerment Management Group, LLC; State Sen. John Kane; Keystone First; State Rep. Brian Kirkland; Madison’s Place; Making a Change Group; Mom’s Deli; MVP Recovery; Nemex Landscaping; Positive Potential Project; Riverside Futures; Sanai Dior Ballroom and Wedding Chapel; Servicemaster Clean; Single Mothers Are Really Trying (SMART); Tandem; Trippley Foundation; and Urban Inequality and Incarceration (UII), Swarthmore Language Center.

NORRISTOWN - On Dec. 16, Jennifer Pierce started her new role as Pro Bono Director. This new senior management position is funded by a Legal Services Corp. (LSC) Pro Bono Innovation Fund Transformation Grant. Jennifer has been with LASP for nearly seven years. After three years as a Staff Attorney in Doylestown handling juvenile court and family law cases, Jennifer became Managing Attorney of the Doylestown Office and the Bucks County Pro Bono Coordinator. For the last year, she has been supervising LASP’s domestic violence work as VOCA Supervising Attorney. She served as the Bucks County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee Chair. Jennifer can be reached at jpierce@lasp.org or 610-756-7264.

POTTSTOWN - Lisa Whalen started her new position as Pottstown Managing Attorney on Dec. 16. Lisa joined LASP as a CARES Attorney Fellow in Pottstown in October 2020. Since then, she has practiced in Chester County and, most recently, in LASP's Regional Housing Unit in Delaware County. Lisa is an experienced trial lawyer and also served as a judge on the Yuma County, Arizona Superior Court for eight years. Lisa can be reached at lwhalen@lasp.org or 484-816-4091.

NORRISTOWN - Jamelia Archer joined LASP in October 2021 to provide paralegal and administrative support in the Norristown Office, where she is also receptionist. She recently completed the paralegal studies program at Delaware County Community College, and she has significant customer service experience as an American Airlines Customer Service Agent from 2015-21. She also served as a Critical Care Tech / Medical Assistant at Cooper University Hospital. Jamelia can be reached at jarcher@lasp.org or 215-770-4080.

NORRISTOWN - Jahliyah Hall joined LASP to provide paralegal and administrative support in the Centralized Intake Unit in October 2021. Jahliyah is a recent graduate of Temple University with a B.A. in sociology. Prior to joining LASP, Jahliyah interned at the Defender Association of Philadelphia and worked as a legal assistant to a sole practitioner assisting in probate and estate planning and personal injury cases. She also interned at the Spells Writing Lab in Philadelphia. She has volunteered at Drexel University for the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project and at Cabrini College, with children from Beijing who have interest in attending college in America. Jahliyah can be reached at jhall@lasp.org or 484-416-4290, ext. 1001.

DOYLESTOWN - Katrina "Kaytee" Ihrer joined LASP in November 2021 as a Staff Attorney in the Doylestown Almshouse Office. Katrina handles Children & Youth and custody cases and other family law matters. In a two-year judicial clerkship in Franklin County, she focused on family, protection from abuse and civil law matters. She earned her J.D. from Dickinson School of Law of Pennsylvania State University and Master's in International Affairs at Penn State. Her independent study for Dickinson addressed, "Is It A Man’s World?: A Nationwide Look at Custody after Domestic Violence." She also was President of the International Law Society. She holds a B.A. in International Studies from Texas State University. As a law student, Katrina interned at the Community Law Clinic in Carlisle; the Office of Chief Counsel for the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus where she worked on family law issues; and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape in Harrisburg. Katrina also interned in LASP's Norristown Office in summer 2016. She can be reached at kihrer@lasp.org or 267-488-1864.

BRISTOL - Durene McCarty joined LASP in August 2021 to provide administrative support in the Bristol Office. Durene has significant management and customer service experience, including Site Instructor for Kidscare after-school program in the Pennsbury School District, PBX Operator for Omni Hotels, Site Manager for Girls Inc. of Jacksonville, Center Director for Children of America in Philadelphia, and Center Director for Kindercare Learning Centers. Durene holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from the Community College of Philadelphia and a certificate in Travel & Tourism from Martin School of Business. She is a member of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA), Caring for Friends Outreach Program and Safe Kids of Bucks County. Durene can be reached at dmccarty@lasp.org.

Support access to justice in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties!

Make your 2021 Annual Gift by Friday, Dec. 31. bit.ly/LegalAidHelps

If you received e-news as a forward or found it on social media, please subscribe at lasp.org/enews or email Marion Hoffman Fraley, Communications Director, at mfraley@lasp.org.

Past issues are at lasp.org/enews.

Photo: 'Tis the season. Montgomery County Courthouse, Norristown, decorated for Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, Dec. 10, 2021.