Hazy days of Summer 2023: Canadian wildfire smoke impacts the region

Harvey F, Strauss, longtime former co-Executive Director of Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) and its predecessor, Montgomery County Legal Aid Service (MCLAS), died July 10, 2023. He served as LASP Co-Executive Director from 2001-2013 and MCLAS Executive Director from 1978-2001.

“Harvey was instrumental in the difficult merger of four county programs in 2001,” said Shawn Boehringer, LASP’s current Executive Director. “Harvey was well-known in the local legal community and a staunch supporter of the program. He will be greatly missed.”

The assessment will also identify any gaps in services and potential barriers to accessing legal aid. Furthermore, the assessment will be used to develop a strategic plan to guide LASP’s work in future years. Details on the Request for Proposals (RFPP + timeline/due dates: click image above for 6-page PDF, or see lasp.org/news.

NORRISTOWN - On Aug. 16, 2022, the Borough of Norristown, PA adopted Ordinance 22-02 modifying park hours to sunrise-to-sunset, aligning with Montgomery County Ordinance 16-2 banning overnight camping except in designated areas. By May 2023, Norristown and PECO Energy Co. officials began discussing plans to sweep the estimated 160 persons sleeping outdoors in Norristown. Ordinance 22-02 prohibits being “on any Municipal park/parkland or Municipal recreation area or recreation facility except between sunrise and sunset,” except in limited circumstances. Any individual who stays in parks or recreational areas outside of those hours “shall be guilty of a summary offense and upon conviction thereof shall be liable for a fine” of up to $300 “or, in default thereof, to imprisonment for not more than five days.”

In the wake of the adoption of Ordinance 22-02, the Norristown Police Dept. has conducted sweeps of homeless encampments in an effort to prevent unhoused residents from living in Norristown. Legal advocates from Community Justice Project, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, and the National Homelessness Law Center sent a letter on May 25, 2023 to the borough and to PECO Energy Co. condemning the homeless sweeps and harassment of homeless residents and reinforcing the legal obligation of the municipality with respect to the sweeps.

Compounding the problem was the permanent closure of the 50-bed Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center, the only year-round shelter in Montgomery County, on June 30, 2022. A solution proposed by the Norristown Council President was to bus people living homeless in the borough to the Villanova University campus.

At the Norristown Municipal Council meeting on June 5, area residents, nonprofits, and business owners addressed the homeless situation in Norristown during the public comment period.

On June 6, the borough issued a press release (not currently available on the borough's website) denying that it planned a city-wide sweep. Legal advocates continue to defend the rights of the unhoused and shift the focus to addressing the affordable housing crisis. In September 2021, Hurricane Ida destroyed multiple affordable housing options in Norristown, including a 90-unit low-income housing complex, exacerbating the affordable housing crisis in the Philadelphia suburbs.

LASP staff involved in the effort include Carolyn Johnson, Chief Counsel; Charles Burrows, Staff Attorney; Kelly Young, Staff Attorney; Erica Briant; Director of Community Engagement & Training; and C. Shawn Boehringer, Executive Director.

CJP staff include Marielle Macher, Executive Director; Daniel Vitek, Staff Attorney; and Jackie Perlow, Staff Attorney.

NHLC staff include Eric Tars, Legal Director, and Will Knight, Decriminalization Director

LASP’s Pottstown Managing Attorney Lisa Whalen has held a monthly outreach at Christ Episcopal Church in the Borough since January 2022. On June 21, The Salvation Army of Greater Pottstown hosted LASP and the Montgomery County Street Outreach Medical Team. LASP provided free legal services for individuals with low incomes and those who are experiencing homelessness. Montgomery County Street Medicine provided free medical care.

In Norristown, LASP's effort began in October 2022 at Riverfront Park, working in collaboration with Professor Stephanie Sena, Anti-Poverty Fellow at Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law. In December 2022, LASP and the PA Utility Law Project (PULP) held an outreach at the Norristown Hospitality Center.

At The Salvation Army of Greater Pottstown on June 21 (from left): Jennifer Pierce, Pro Bono Director; Erica Briant, Director of Community Engagement & Training; Carolyn Johnson, Chief Counsel; Wendy Egolf, Director of Housing Programs for The Salvation Army of Greater Pottstown; Charles Burrows (seated), Staff Attorney; Kathryn M. Palladino, Staff Attorney; Carin Holmes, LASP intern & Penn State Dickinson Law student; and Erika Felpel, Pro Bono & Helpline Paralegal.

LAFAYETTE HILL - Thank you to the Montgomery Bar Foundation and the Montgomery Bar Association for hosting and organizing the 2023 Legal Aid Golf Classic June 26, and THANK YOU, too, to all sponsors, golfers, diners & supporters!

SWARTHMORE - Carol Wilbur and Christopher Rogers were honored with Patricia “Pat” L. Brooks Awards at LASP’s Staff Retreat on June 28 at the Inn at Swarthmore. Prior to the retreat, all staff were invited to nominate colleagues for recognition. Executive Director Shawn Boehringer and Chief Counsel Carolyn Johnson presented the awards, which were last given in 2020.

Since joining LASP in January 2004, Carol has served as office assistant and is currently Doylestown Office Manager and legal assistant. Chris is a proud Air Force combat Veteran. He joined LASP in September 2017 as Technology Technician. 

From left: Shawn Boehringer, Erica Briant, Rita Dawson, Brian Doyle, Marion Hoffman Fraley, Christopher Rogers, (in back row), Sandra Ortiz, Jennifer Pierce, Elise Wilson-Coles, Tesla Thomas and Donna Winterbottom. Pictured in photos below: Tamalya Kaywood and Robert Kim.

The program launched July 27 in Lower Makefield Township. The Bucks County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP), and the Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) are collaborating on the effort, with support from the Bucks County Department of Housing and Community Development. The project is occurring in Magisterial District Court 07-1-11 in Judge Corryn Kronnagel’s courtroom, located in Morrisville.

Pro bono attorneys are invited to volunteer for the project! A CLE held May 8 at the BCBA provided background on landlord-tenant law and the roles of each partner. Ron Smolow, Esq. and BCBA Pro Bono Committee co-chair Shari Williams, Esq. moderated the panel, with presenters including Kari Howatt, Housing & Site Supervisor for BCOC; Tesla Thomas, LASP Staff Attorney; Robert Kim, LASP Staff Attorney; and Judge Kronnagel.

The new Bucks County program will provide mediation ahead of the eviction hearing, with the Bucks County Opportunity Council coordinating the mediation. If an agreement between landlord and tenant cannot be reached, the program will provide free legal representation to individuals who do not have an attorney and who volunteer to participate. LASP and pro bono attorneys will provide representation.

To learn more or sign up to volunteer, contact Jennifer Pierce, LASP Pro Bono Director, at jpierce@lasp.org, or Megan Reinprecht, LASP Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney and Bucks County Pro Bono Coordinator, at mreinprecht@lasp.org.

BUCKS COUNTY pro bono opportunities

On July 27, a new eviction prevention program started in one courtroom in Lower Makefield Township. Volunteers are invited!

Scroll up for the article in the Pro Bono Spotlight, or visit our website article. To learn more or sign up, contact Jennifer Pierce at jpierce@lasp.org or Megan Reinprecht at mreinprecht@lasp.org.

Pro bono attorneys needed for PFA hearings Wednesdays (in-person)

Volunteers are especially needed for:

LIMITED SCOPE opportunity, with no expectation of continued representation beyond the day of volunteer service.

Hearings are at the Bucks County Justice Center, 100 N. Main St., Doylestown, PA 18901.

To volunteer to represent plaintiffs, please contact Durene McCarty, LASP Bristol Office Manager and Assistant Pro Bono Coordinator, at dmccarty@lasp.org or 215-398-6757.

DELAWARE COUNTY: Pro bono attorneys needed for custody cases

Volunteer attorneys have the opportunity to represent clients in a limited scope, pursuant to the PA Rules of Professional Conduct and Delaware County’s limited entry of appearance rule. Delaware County's Rule 1012 permits attorneys to withdraw by praecipe after representation at the number of custody conferences agreed to in advance.

To learn more or to volunteer, please contact Thomas Kerstan, LASP Staff Attorney and Delaware County Pro Bono Coordinator, at tkerstan@lasp.org or 484-206-7808. Or register at lasp.org/volunteer-signup.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY pro bono opportunities

NORRISTOWN - YOU can be part of the award-winning Eviction Prevention & Intervention Coalition (EPIC) program, which helps to stabilize vulnerable families and individuals in Montgomery County who are facing eviction by providing them with free legal and social services support on the day of their eviction hearing.

Volunteer attorneys appear in court to help those facing eviction. It is anticipated that the need for volunteers will skyrocket in coming months.

You can specify your courtroom location/day of service, etc. The program is currently in eight courtrooms: three in Norristown, two in Pottstown, and one each in East Norriton, Jenkintown and Lansdale.

To learn more or volunteer for EPIC, please contact Michelle Dempsky, LASP Staff Attorney & lead attorney with EPIC, at mdempsky@lasp.org.

Divorce cases | Custody cases | Lansdale outreach

More details are at lasp.org/pro-bono. Please contact Kathryn M. Palladino, LASP Staff Attorney and Montgomery County Pro Bono Coordinator, at 484-209-0892, or kpalladino@lasp.org, or register at lasp.org/volunteer-signup.

Note: One of the “lessons learned” from Hurricane Ida is that understanding the FEMA application requirements and appeals process would be helpful to all attorneys and advocates in case a future federal disaster declaration occurs. (The FEMA deadline for appeals related to Hurricane Ida in PA was March 10, 2023.)

Pro Bono Net is presenting new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) national trainings for lawyers and advocates. The webinars are not only for those currently working with survivors of climate-driven disasters, but also for advocates who may potentially support disaster survivors in the future. They were designed in partnership with Legal Aid of Sonoma County and the Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative, with support by the Bigglesworth Family Foundation.

Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. ET – “A Disability Rights Advocate’s Guide to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Assistance Appeals Process,” will include specific information that attorneys and advocates should know about when working on a FEMA appeal with a disaster survivor who has a disability. Register here.

Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. ET – “A Beginner’s Guide to Appealing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Assistance Decision (Spanish interpretation provided),” for community librarians, disaster case managers, staff and attorneys at legal aid organizations and pro bono programs, attorneys interested in doing pro bono work after a disaster, and advocates from long-term recovery groups nationwide. Register here.

Recordings and training materials will be posted on the Advocates for Disaster Justice website in the Advocate Network section. Access require a member log-in, but membership is free. Learn more here.

Read more about the trainings at Pro Bono Net: https://bit.ly/fema-appeals-trainings-2023

Local bar association calendars

Stay tuned for CLEs in your area of practice or pro bono service!

by Kenny Cooper & Emily Rizzo | WHYY | May 25, 2023 | bit.ly/WHYY-5-25-2023 

by Alfred Lubrano | Philadelphia Inquirer | Sunday, May 28, 2023 | Page 1

by Alfred Lubrano | Philadelphia Inquirer | June 2, 2023 | https://bit.ly/Inquirer-6-2-2023

New Matter Magazine from Chester County Bar Association

Second Quarter 2023 | https://bit.ly/newmatter-2Q-2023

Untold Valor podcast: LASP's Veterans Advocacy Project

With Richard Prebil | Produced by Voice and Vision, Inc | July 27, 2023 | bit.ly/Untold-Valor-podcast-7-2023

by James McGinnis | Doylestown Intelligencer & phillyburbs.com | Sunday, July 30, 2023 | https://bit.ly/microbursts-7-2023

 Applications open July 10 for 1 month (or less) to help keep water turned on! APPLY ASAP!

For one month this summer, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is re-opening! The PA Dept. of Human Services announced the LIHWAP reopening on July 6.

You can receive one crisis grant for your drinking water service and one crisis grant for your wastewater service, up to $2,500 each. Crisis situations include:

877-395-8930

If you applied for for the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF), You must re-register in the new Neighborly portal.

The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). In its July 10 Developments newsletter, PHFA estimates that it will take 30 minutes or less to re-register.

YOU CAN STILL RE-REGISTER! Learn more: https://pahaf.org/reregister.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, the Montgomery County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will accept new applicants and allow for recertifications every three months, up to 18 months of assistance.

Due to the declared end of the pandemic on May 11, 2023, Montgomery County now requires new applicants to complete a Self-Attestation of Hardship. This states that the household faced a hardship during the pandemic period ending May 11, 2023.

Delco ERA will be reopened for A SHORT TIME! It will close when the new state funds run out! Apply ASAP!

Learn more & apply: delco-era.com.

To schedule a 30-minute appointment with a LASP attorney, contact Edwina at 610-429-9400, ext. 4115 or ejohnson@uwchestercounty.org.

COATESVILLE - LASP's monthly legal clinics with the Coatesville VA will be the second Wednesday of each month in 2023. A referral by social worker, clinician or case manager is suggested but not necessary. The clinics are part of the medical center's Veterans Justice Outreach Program, which connects Veterans with VA health care services.

Questions? Contact VA staff members Diana Zinnie (Chester County) at 484-744-3442, Rhonda Sanford (Montgomery County) at 484-667-1988, or Lily Thomas (Delaware County) at 610-496-5007.

PHOENIXVILLE - The Chester County Health Dept. presents is hosting the Potassium Iodide (KI) Dispensing Event & Community Resource Fair. Everyone living or working within a 10-mile radius of the Limerick Generating Station or Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station should have KI tablets in their emergency kit in case of a radiological emergency.

In Chester County, these areas include:: Charlestown Township, East Coventry Township, East Nantmeal Township, East Pikeland Township, East Vincent Township, North Coventry Township, Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Township, South Coventry Township, Spring City Borough, Upper Uwchlan Township, Uwchlan Township, Warwick Township, West Nottingham Township, West Pikeland Township, and West Vincent Township.

Stop by LASP's table at this event. Learn how LASP may be able to help you with legal problems caused by Hurricane Ida and many other civil legal problems.

Questions? Visit chesco.org/KI,

[NOTE: The presentation and resources provided will be in Spanish.]

KENNETT SQUARE - The Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, and other local resource representatives will present important information about your rights as a tenant.

CHESTER City - Daniel Tryens joined LASP in June as Veterans Advocacy Project Paralegal. He is based in the Chester City office. LASP's Veterans Advocacy Project serves Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties plus 16 more counties in PA. As a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Daniel served as a Cavalry Scout (19D) where he provided education and training to enlisted soldiers. He was responsible for preparing mission equipment for deployment, securing vehicles prior to transport, and verifying inventory computations.

Most recently, Daniel served as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant at Pressman & Doyle Law Office, LLC. where he researched and compiled data for foreclosure cases, assisted attorneys with trial preparation, and drafted legal documents. Prior to his paralegal career, Daniel worked as an Employment Training Specialist at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU), where he developed and implemented strategies to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, collaborated with students and clients to address job-related difficulties and more. Daniel holds a B.A. in History with a Genocide and Holocaust Studies minor from West Chester University, where he graduated magna cum laude. He also earned an Associate of Arts in History from Delaware County Community College and a Paralegal Certificate at Boston University. Daniel received the Army Achievement Medal and was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta Honors Society. He volunteers at Providence Animal Shelter in Media. Daniel can be reached at 610-467-3831 or dtryens@lasp.org.

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