News
June 28th, 2010
At a luncheon on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, Karen Tyler from Legal Aid's Delaware County Division was given the Crozer-Keystone Senior Service Excellence Award. This award was created in 2003 to recognize an individual for his or her contributions to the health and welfare of the senior population and embodies the philosopy of Crozer-Keystone Health System Senior Health Services..."to meet the needs of the senior community and to enhance their quality of life".
In giving the award, the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA), noted Karen's work representing and negotiating on behalf of senior citizens in civil matters including utility shut-offs, delinquent property taxes, SS/SSI overpayments, landlord/tenant matters, debt collection, contracts and any and all matters related to senior problems. In addition, she recruits and trains senior advocates who volunteer at senior centers and senior housing developments and she recruits private attorneys for pro bono work in conjunction with the Delaware County Bar Association.
June 28th, 2010
On June 23, long-time Legal Aid supporter and board member Elizabeth C. Price, died after a long illness. One of the original members of the Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania Board, she served as Executive Director of the Delaware County Bar Association and was credited with bringing respect and prominence to the role of bar executive. She was a strong advocate for Legal Services for the poor and for the past two years was the President of the LASP Board of Directors during a particularly challenging period in which the organization experienced significant funding shifts and acquired programs and staff from another legal aid program which ended operations. In 2009, nominated by LASP, she received an Excellence Award from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network for her strong support of Legal Services. LASP staff and volunteers will miss her service and caring to our organization.
For more about Elizabeth Price's 36 year professional career with the Delaware County Bar Association, click on the headline above.
April 14th, 2010
Bucks County Division of Legal Aid’s elder law attorney Allison McConnell, Esq., recently assisted in the dismissal of a $47,000 overpayment fee from the Railroad Retirement Board for her elderly client. This dismissal came after numerous persistent phone calls, letters and a final telephone hearing, but was eventually won, allowing McConnell’s client to keep what savings she had, as well as her much needed monthly income, which she was using to maintain her home and pay for medical expenses.
To read the rest of this article click on headline above.
March 24th, 2010
LASP recently received a $15,000 grant from the Green Tree Community Health Foundation, as well as a $30,000 grant from the Philadelphia Foundation in support of its work with low-income individuals and families. LASP was one of 22 organizations that were granted funding from Philadelphia Foundation’s Basic Human Need’s Fund, a campaign which began in 2008 to help address the increasing economic challenges surrounding the basic needs of food, housing, transportation, heat and light. The $15,000 grant from Green Tree Community Health Foundation went specifically to Legal Aid’s ongoing work with vulnerable elderly individuals in Montgomery County.
To read the rest of this article click on headline above.
March 1st, 2010
As Spring nears, LASP is looking for sponsors, volunteers and runners for the 6th Annual 5k Run/Walk on June 26, 2010, to benefit Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Chester County Division. The race will be held in West Chester, and over 150 runners are expected to participate. There are six race sponsorship levels available, ranging from $100-$3,500, each with their own promotional and race entry benefits. Would you or your business consider being a local sponsor? Visit www.trialrun5k.com for more information. Also, consider running or walking for the cause. Proceeds from the event will support Legal Aid’s free legal services for low-income and vulnerable families in Chester County.
To read the rest of this article click on headline above.
February 15th, 2010
A recent report in the Philadelphia Inquirer turned readers’ eyes to an unfamiliar place in regards to poverty rates: the suburbs. In his report, Alfred Lubrano summarized a Brookings Institution report highlighting a nationwide poverty increase of 25% between 2000 and 2008 in the suburbs, nearly five times the rate of increase in urban poverty. Locally, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties (Legal Aid’s target counties) the number of individuals receiving food stamps grew from 23% to 33%. While suburban poverty is often overlooked, this article reminds us of its presence and amplified rates during times of national economic decline.
To read the rest of this article click on headline above.
January 20th, 2010
Two recent reports suggest that Protection from Abuse (PFA) programs like those offered by Legal Aid continue to be critical as the economy worsens. The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation’s 2009 Truth About Abuse report found that 75% of 600 domestic violence shelters surveyed nationally in 2009 saw a rise in the number of women seeking services. Additionally, 73% of the respondents attributed the rise in abuse to “financial issues.” A December 30, 2009 New York Times article similarly reported an increase in domestic violence-related homicides in a number of states and cities.
To read the rest of this article click on headline above.
January 13th, 2010
New funding awards and financial support have recently come through for Legal Aid services! Recent support from area foundations including the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, the Pew Fund for Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Foundation, the Merck Foundation and others will help LASP to meet the high demand for legal services among low-income adults and families. LASP is grateful to these foundations, as their financial support increases staff capacity to serve clients, and ensures that legal aid programs such as the Don’t Borrow Trouble Campaign and Hotline and a public benefits program in Pottstown are able to continue their valuable work.
To read the rest of this article click on headline above.
January 11th, 2010
Legal Aid announced this week that regional legal service provider Community Impact Legal Services (CILS) on November 30, 2009 concluded its operations as a non-profit agency, with Legal Aid continuing several key areas of CILS’s work. CILS has been a partner organization to Legal Aid since both were established in 2001. As with many small non-profits, the economic downturn of the past 18 months decimated CILS’s funding and ultimately the CILS Board of Directors decided that it would be in the best interest of the organization’s clients to spin off its work to Legal Aid and the Community Justice Project, two larger organizations with greater administrative and program capacity.
To read the rest of this article click on headline above.
November 11th, 2009
The Don’t Borrow Trouble Suburban Philadelphia campaign was launched by a large coalition of county and private non-profit agencies to combat predatory lending in the housing market. In 2005, Community Impact Legal Services (CILS), one of the lead organizations in the coalition, subcontracted with LASP to provide the Don’t Borrow Trouble (DBT) Helpline to assist people with questions and concerns arising from bad loans. Since that time, the DBT Helpline has expanded its mission to assist those at risk of mortgage foreclosure.
Beginning December 1, 2009, LASP will assume full ownership of the program and continue its critical work. Residents from Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties can call the helpline Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 1 pm, at 1-888-275-8843.
Previous 1 of 2 Next