THANK YOU to all honorees and designees, sponsors, donors, attendees, staff, committee members and volunteers who supported LASP's 20+ Fête for Justice.

We heard thought-provoking remarks from Keynote Speaker Reuben Jonathan Miller, sociologist, University of Chicago assistant professor and author of Halfway Home: Race, Punishment and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration. Trapeta B. Mayson, 2020-21 Philadelphia Poet Laureate, shared healing words of verse, including “In This Season” and “Superhero.” And we celebrated 47 Honorees, whose work collectively paved the way for LASP's service across 20+ years. Willilam L. Baldwin, LASP Board President and Delaware County Bar Association Executive Director, and C. Shawn Boehringer, LASP Executive Director, both shared brief remarks. Entertainment was provided by V. Shayne Frederick and the Charles Baldwin Experience.

Our Flickr photo albums feature photos by Hitched Productions by Tyler Boye Photography, as well as individual bios for each of our Honorees. LASP's YouTube page includes four new videos (scroll down for individual links), featuring brief reflections from LASP's founding Co-Executive Directors Harvey F. Strauss and Elizabeth Wood Fritsch, longtime LASP attorneys and staff members, and remarks from U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, Fête National Champion and Honoree, and Co-Chair, Congressional Access to Legal Aid Caucus.

Stay tuned for the full program video at lasp.org/fete, and our Fete website LASP20.org.

over 20+ years: Videos

Prior to the Fête for Justice, LASP's first executive directors, Harvey F. Strauss and Elizabeth Wood Fritsch, were interviewed by its third and current executive director, C. Shawn Boehringer, about the challenges of merging four independent county legal aid organizations into one and the regional strength that the merger has brought to civil legal aid in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. (13-minute video)

Photos from left: PA Rep. Todd Stephens and Sen. Maria Collett address insurance issues related to Hurricane Ida and the tornado in Upper Dublin, Montgomery County. David Buono, PA Deputy Insurance Commissioner, listens to residents of Upper Dublin and Horsham townships in Montgomery County at a community meeting May 5. LASP Staff Attorneys Sara Planthaber and Anthony Richardson answer a question from an attendee after the May 5 event at Maple Glen Elementary School.

Hurricane Ida insurance claims:

The form is available at the PA Insurance Department's website. Rep. Stephens’ office has provided it with notes on filling it out. It is available below and at lasp.org/hurricane-ida.

The problems with Zelle have been noted in the New York Times, Forbes and other media outlets. In an April 26 New York Times article titled "Senators question Zelle over how it is responding to reports of rising fraud," reporters Lananh Nguyen and Stacy Cowley wrote, "In one common scam, attackers posing as bank fraud investigators fool victims into transferring money into thieves’ accounts. Banks often refuse to compensate the tricked customers because they view them as having approved the transfers."

An April 28 Good Morning America story describes the scam: https://bit.ly/3ae3zQS.

The American Bankers Association Foundation and Federal Trade Commission provide the following tips for consumers who use mobile payment apps, including Zelle, Venmo, CashApp and others.

Kesha James, LASP's Deputy Director for Advocacy through May 23, started June 1 as Executive Director of Management Information Exchange (MIE). LASP wishes her well and thanks her for her dedicated service!

In a farewell e-mail to LASP staff, she wrote, "I would like to thank everyone for 16 amazing years. Working with such wonderful colleagues makes the very challenging work that we do much more enjoyable. I am excited to begin a new chapter in my career as the Executive Director of Management Information Exchange, but I will truly miss LASP and everyone here. LASP has grown so much over the last few years. We have double the number of staff and offices, many new funders and programs, and we have expanded our work in several areas. I am so proud of what LASP has accomplished and the remarkable services you all work to provide day after day."

BLUE BELL - Registration is now open for the 2022 Legal Aid Golf Classic. The annual event will be held at a new location and time: Cedarbrook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Shotgun start will be at 1:30 p.m., followed by a fundraising dinner at 6:30 p.m. featuring raffle prizes and a silent auction. There are a number of ways to support the cause: by golfing, attending the dinner, purchasing or selling raffle tickets, donating a prize to the raffle or silent auction, or becoming an event sponsor. Once again, proceeds will benefit Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania.  

Organizers are requesting donations to the raffle or silent auction. To donate sports or show tickets, restaurant or retail gift cards, lessons, gift baskets, or other items, or for any questions about this event, please contact Jack Costello at jack@montgomerybar.org or 610-994-3655. To register or sponsor, visit the Montgomery Bar Association webpage.

In a May 16 letter to attorneys, Max Baer, Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, wrote to celebrate PA's tradition of support for civil legal aid. He wrote, in part:

"Promoting legal aid and pro bono legal services has been a major emphasis of my time on the Court. I cherish how the Unified Judicial System has provided access to justice for so many Pennsylvanians as the Courts have worked to achieve the promise of equal justice for all. Yet the needs of our poorest citizens continue to challenge both the criminal and civil justice systems. A Constitutional mandate buttresses efforts for access to legal services in criminal matters, but an underfunded and overburdened civil legal aid system threatens delivery of civil services.

"...it is the volunteer efforts-­whether in direct representation of clients or further financial support -- that most greatly impact those in need, especially as we move out of the pandemic."

To read the Chief Justice's two-page letter in full, please visit https://bit.ly/3x16xA9 or click page one shown above.

June 14 (hybrid): CLE for Attorneys - Training for June 22 Bucks County Custody Clinic

Presenters: Kasey Daniel, LASP Doylestown Managing Attorney; Erika Becker, LASP Staff Attorney; Katrina Ihrer, LASP Staff Attorney; and Judith Algeo, Family Law Attorney, High Swartz and LASP Board of Directors member and immediate past president.

Attendees will learn about different types of child custody, get an overview of PA custody law and different court processes, and will be specifically trained in how to assist individuals with completing initial or modifications of custody petitions in Bucks County. They will also be trained in how to advise individuals about filing, service, and court proceedings.

June 29 & Wednedays in July & August (in-person): Bucks County PFA court: 2 pro bono bono attorneys urgently needed for June 29; attorneys also needed for all dates in July & August

DOYLESTOWN - Two pro bono attorneys are urgently needed for Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings at the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown on Wednesday, June 29.

Additionally, ALL DATES ARE OPEN FOR JULY AND AUGUST for PFA Court in Bucks County, including July 6, 13, 20 and 27, and Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Until June 30, please contact Randi Riefner, LASP Assistant Pro Bono Coordinator, at rriefner@lasp.org or 215-770-4067.

As of July 1, please contact Durene MCarty, LASP Administrative Support Staff for the Bristol Office, at dmccarty@lasp.org or 215-398-6757.

I am going to be stepping down as Pro Bono Coordinator Assistant and transferring the helm to Durene McCarty as of July 1, 2022. Durene can be reached at dmccarty@lasp.org, or direct dial number is 215-398-6757. I am sure you will be as responsive to Durene as you have been to me all these years. I have truly enjoyed working with all of you and will still be here at Legal Aid during the transition. I personally appreciate your willingness to help me out on short notice, and want to thank each and every one of you for always being there for me. It has truly meant more to me than words can express. 

June 24 (hybrid): Language Access 2022: New Normal, New Rules & What Attorneys Need to Know

Interpreters are becoming increasingly common in courtroom, as their role is crucial to our justice system. They facilitate communication between lawyers and Limited English Proficient (LEP) clients, witnesses, and victims. No matter what the role of the LEP is in the courts, an interpreter is required to ensure accurate and complete records as well as equality among all parties. Topics: How to connect with an LEP person through an interpreter, how to work effectively with an interpreter, Title VI Language Access Rules, attorney responsibility, and helpful tips for attorneys

Presenters:

Part II: Veterans Advocacy in Pennsylvania: Basic Veterans Law

Learn the basics of veterans benefits law, from filing a claim through the appeals system. Topics: overview of the VA claim process; basic principles of veterans benefits; appeals to the Board of Veterans Appeals; appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC); and attorney fees. To become a VA accredited attorney prior to this webinar, email vets@pbi.org. 

Part III will be Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 on Legal Issues Affecting Military Personnel.

by Justine McDaniel | Philadelphia Inquirer | June 2, 2022 | https://bit.ly/3GQrAKg

by Kathleen E. Carey | Delaware County Daily Times | June 2, 2022 | https://bit.ly/3NjAi6b

LCH Community Health created this 12-minute video about the 2022 Chester County Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Project. Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/G_bebHiWLbo.

LCH Community Health is a partner with Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and United Way of Chester County for the project.

Scroll down to the events section, or visit lasp.org/events, for multiple in-person outreach events in June and July.

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. bit.ly/rent-utility-help

Deadline extended! Apply by June 17 for LIHEAP heating help

Pennsylvanians now have until Friday, June 17, 2022 to apply for help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The PA Dept. of Human Services announced the new deadline: https://bit.ly/3sWaoNC.

To learn where to apply in person in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, please see our website News story.

The PA Dept. of Human Services asks people to update your address and other case information with the County Assistance Office, especially if you moved during the pandemic. All renewal documents will be mailed to the address on file with the County Assistance Office. To report changes to your case file, you can:

DHS also invites Medicaid enrollees to sign up for text alerts to ensure timely updates on benefits.

CHESTER city - In April, Delaware County announced that Crozer Health planned to close all outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment services located at Community Campus in Chester by June 19. Services impacted are the Crisis Center at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and the Behavioral Health Outpatient and Ancillary Services at Community Campus.

In a statement issued May 25, Delaware County noted:

Get your mobile home taxes reassessed for free. In-person outreach events started May 16 and continue through July 19. Check below for dates and locations. See lasp.org/events for chronological list. No appointment is needed.

Oxford Library, 48 S. Second St., Oxford, PA 19363

Honey Brook Food Pantry, 5064 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, PA 19344

Nottingham Manor, 480 W. Christine Road, Nottingham, PA 19362

EXTON - A free legal clinic is held monthly at PA CareerLink of Chester County. The spring 2022 clinics will be Tuesday, June 14 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at PA CareerLink, 479 Thomas Jones Way, Suite 500, Exton, PA 19380.

The clinics are a partnership between LASP, United Way of Chester County's Financial Stability Center, and PA CareerLink of Chester County.

For one-page flyer, click here, or image above.

PLYMOUTH MEETING - State Rep. Mary Jo Daley is hosting a Senior Resource Fair. Among the organizations who will attend: AARP, Montgomery County Office of Senior Services, Montgomery County Public Libraries, ElderNet and Legal Aid of Southeastern PA. Stop by LASP's table at this event. Ask an attorney about civil legal problems related to domestic violence, housing, eviction, foreclosure, public benefits, utilities and more.

COVID ALERT: If Montgomery County COVID levels are high, the Fair will be canceled with notifications sent by email & phone and posted on Mary Jo Daley's social media pages. You can also check the county level here.

Flyer to download, print or view (click here, or image above)

The clinic is open to residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Interested residents must register to ensure that enough attorneys are staffing the event.

To determine if you qualify for expungement and/or to register, please call Rep. Nelson’s office at 215-572-5210. If interested in attending, please also fill out a pre-screen questionnaire.

If you haven't already made your 2021-22 Annual Gift to LASP, please do so by Thursday, June 30! Thank you for your support for free civil legal aid and access to justice in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

Job descriptions & how to apply: lasp.org/careers

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.