E-News: Expanding our Impact, Important Guardianship Reform, and Looking Towards 2024

GREETINGS FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

What a year it has been. We mourn the loss and suffering throughout the world as well as the violence and trauma so many are facing here at home. Yet we find hope in the work we do together to seek justice for the most vulnerable individuals, families and communities.

This year:

We dramatically expanded our teams, hiring our 50th staff member, and promoted numerous staff into newly created positions of leadership.

We passed our largest organizational budget in our 45-year history at over $5.2 million.

We celebrated the passage of a transformative right to counsel in guardianship and helped plan and lead PA's first Supreme Court Summit on Justice in Guardianship

With partners, we helped write a successful $3 million 3-year federal grant for court reform and access to justice for older Pennsylvanians

We opened a new expanded office in Media to serve older victims of crime, abuse and exploitation in the 5-county region.

We hired a new Director of Development, new Administrative Coordinators and Manager, launched new HR and technology tools to support our teams, a new blog and other communication tools, and perhaps most importantly, provided powerful services and efforts at every level for thousands of clients.

We learn and strive to improve every day as an organization, as leaders and as a team, and we will continue to do so with all of you in the coming year. Thank you for standing with us this year. Together we changed thousands of lives and systems, benefitting generations to come. Here's to doing even more together in 2024. The world needs us!

Wishing you and your loved ones warm, joyful and peaceful holidays and a brilliant new year.

Warmest wishes,

Karen C. Buck, Esq.

Executive Director

HIGHLIGHTING OUR ORGANIZATION

Celebrating Our Newly Expanded Victim Services Office

On Thursday, November 30th, we gathered with partners and leaders in the victim services, aging, and legal communities to celebrate our newly expanded county office in Media. This inspiring evening highlighted our shared commitment to serve the needs of older victims of abuse and exploitation and those facing other legal crises in Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Philadelphia counties. We were honored to hear from Judge Lois Murphy, Chair of the PA Supreme Court's Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts, who made congratulatory remarks about our leadership and impact throughout PA and were also pleasantly surprised to receive an unexpected citation from U.S. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon .

Thank you to all in attendance and who helped make this such a vibrant celebration! Read more about the evening and view photos.

SeniorLAW Center Personnel Serving on Mayor-Elect Parker’s Transition Team

We are proud to share that our Executive Director, Karen C. Buck, Esq., has been selected to serve on Mayor-Elect Cherelle Parker’s Transition Committee.

Karen is looking forward to raising the voices and needs of older people and access to justice with inspiring leaders as a part of the Health and Human Services sub-committee. The Transition Team’s Mission: crafting policies that turn promises into reality, making Philly the safest, cleanest, greenest city in the nation with economic opportunity for all. Check out more about this important work and learn how you can get involved at www.transition2023.org.

Congratulations to our 100th and first woman Mayor, with whom we've worked for many years on issues of justice. Historic!

MAKING AN IMPACT

Guardianship Reform Success!

Many years of advocacy equals success. Governor Shapiro has signed SB 506 into law as Act 61 of 2023, paving the way for transformative reforms in guardianship and protection of fundamental rights in Pennsylvania, including an all-important right to counsel. This new law also requires heightened evidentiary standards to ensure less restrictive alternatives to guardianship have been duly considered and require professional guardians have the proper training and background.

This is an enormous victory for individuals and families. We are proud to have joined partners across the Commonwealth in championing these reforms for the past many years. Right to Counsel and other key guardianship reforms will ensure individuals do not face guardianship without due process, representation, and the opportunity to be present and heard.

We are deeply grateful to our partners in this critical and important advocacy: PA Courts' Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts, Disability Rights Pennsylvania, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of Elders, Achieva, and the Philadelphia Bar Association. We are also thankful to the bipartisan leadership of Senator Lisa Baker and Senator Art Haywood in moving justice forward in this critical way.

HIGHLIGHTING OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Fall Board Week of Service

Last month, we welcomed our Board of Directors for a Week of Service to deepen their knowledge of SeniorLAW Center’s work and learn more about the complex legal issues we address each day. During our Board Week of Service, Board members shadow staff in their daily roles and experience the work from the front lines so they may better help lead the organization.

Board members attended court hearings and community outreach events, observed client intake and HelpLine services, and learned about our case management and data systems. We are thankful to Board members for taking time out of their days to shadow and to our staff for sharing their knowledge and expertise. Together, each day, we live our mission of seeking justice for older Pennsylvanians!

"I observed two Helpline call sessions where the SLC attorney kindly and skillfully guided the callers through their homeownership situations. Each caller left the session with answers to their questions and guidance on next steps. The Helpline is a very empowering tool for the older people in our community!" - Caitlin McKenna, Esq., Board Member & Chair of Board Development Committee

"A morning spent in court with one of SLC’s staff attorneys in Family Court was an inspiring and informative experience. In the space of 4 hours a complex matter was deftly and exquisitely handled by a dedicated and compassionate SLC lawyer." - Ezra Wohlgelernter, Esq., Board Assistant Treasurer

"The week of service was an amazing experience for me as a board member. I was able to get an on-the-ground look at the challenging work undertaken by SLC’s staff, and how meaningful it is to our clients. It was truly inspiring for me, and deepened my connection to SLC’s mission."

- Kate Heitzenrater, Esq., Board Treasurer

"The week of service amounted to having 'boots on the ground.' It was a first-hand opportunity to have an experience that staff members encounter as well as an experience of the many different clients and their individual needs. These experiences cannot be felt in the Board room." - Mike Peterson, Former Board Member

HONORING CELESTE: 2023 ANNUAL APPEAL

Have you met our client, Celeste, yet? If you haven't, please consider reading Celeste’s story in this year’s Annual Appeal.

Celeste is a grandmother in Philadelphia raising her grandchild with special needs. After the tragic death of her daughter, she suddenly became the kinship caregiver for her grandson. Because of this life-changing calamity and while processing her overwhelming grief, Celeste found herself without any resources or help; until she found SeniorLAW Center.

Her story is a true testament to the life-changing impact of our work. At SeniorLAW Center, we strive to provide hope and support to older people, empowering them to overcome daunting challenges. 

We hope you will read more about Celeste's journey to obtain custody of her grandson and learn about the life-changing impact people like you can have. To read more about Celeste’s inspiring story and to support our work click here: Annual Appeal – SeniorLAW Center.

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