SeniorLAW Center

Make your voice heard and exercise your right to vote today! Polls are open until 8 p.m. today. If you are in line by 8 p.m., stay in line to vote. To find your local polling place, visit vote.pa.gov. Need transportation to the polls? Head over to the The Philadelphia Inquirer to find free and discounted rides: https://lnkd.in/gXAER5UM If you experience any access issues to the polls, call the toll-free National Election Protection Line at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

Today is Election Day in Pennsylvania. The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy and it's important to remember the sacrifices made by older Americans to secure that right. Our work in Pennsylvania to advance and protect voter rights is a tribute to the older Americans who fought, bled, and struggled throughout our nation's history. Honor those sacrifices by voting today – you have the power to shape the future for our local communities and our country. Visit vote.pa.gov or call the Pennsylvania voter hotline, 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) to find your local polling place open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you experience any access issues to the polls, call the toll-free National Election Protection Line at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

Important election information! Mail ballots must be RECEIVED by your county election office by 8 p.m. on election day, TOMORRROW, November 5th. Your ballot must be inside the inner secrecy envelope AND inside in the pre-addressed outer return envelope where you as the voter must sign and put today's date. #ReadyToVotePA Visit vote.pa.gov to find your PA county election office or call the Pennsylvania voter hotline, 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772). If you are unable to return your mail ballot to a county election office, you can surrender the ballot with the outer return envelope at your local polling place, and you will be allowed to vote in-person.

Domestic violence doesn't end with Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Whether by a spouse, intimate partner, adult child or other family member, violence at home is a harsh and painful reality for millions of older Americans. As Pennsylvania’s only nonprofit legal aid organization focused solely on the needs of older adults, SeniorLAW Center advocates for older victims of domestic violence. Learn more about domestic violence against older adults on our latest blog post at https://lnkd.in/eBbxbF5Y

Thank you to The Sarah Ralston Foundation and Foundation for Health Equity for inviting Executive Director Karen Buck and Center In The Park Inc's David Griffith to present at last week's "Advocacy in Action: Empowering Nonprofits to Champion Older Adults" event. It was an honor to share our knowledge on the legal boundaries for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in advocacy, and discuss examples of our own advocacy efforts on behalf of SeniorLAW Center clients. We were inspired by the incredible work and the commitment everyone shared to champion the needs of older adults.

As October comes to a close, we'd like to take a moment to congratulate Olivia Brintlinger-Conn (1), Jeff Gerome (2), Michael Prendergast (3), Trish Schoor (5), Daniel Hyman (5), and Larry Felzer (21) on their SeniorLAW Center anniversaries.  Their work makes a meaningful impact in the lives of countless older Pennsylvanians. Thank you for your years of service to seeking justice for SeniorLAW Center’s clients!

Last - but certainly not least - we'd like to recognize Stephen A. Feldman, Esq., and his years of service to SeniorLAW Center's clients and mission for #ProBonoWeek. Steve served as Executive Director (back when SeniorLAW Center was Senior Citizen Judicare Project!), and later as a Board Member and as Board Chair. He continues to serve, providing invaluable counsel, mentorship, and leadership to the Access to Justice in Guardianship project and to SeniorLAW Center. "It is a great honor to be featured by SeniorLAW Center during its celebration of National Pro Bono Week for my work with its Access to Justice in Guardianship program, " Steve says. "During my career, I have participated in many programs in a pro bono capacity ranging from service on the Boards of Community Legal Services, SeniorLAW Center and the Alzheimer’s Association, to participating in numerous committees of a variety of community advocacy programs, particularly those promoting independence and the wellbeing of the aging population and others with disabilities.  None has been more rewarding than working with the Center’s Access to Justice in Guardianship program and its staff to protect and promote the rights of those who are, or perceived to be, incapacitated. Much more work must be done to make Justice a reality in these communities. I encourage attorneys of all ages to become similarly involved." Thank you, Steve, for the immeasurable impact you have made in the lives of countless older Pennsylvanians! American Bar Association #probono #pbweek #CelebrateProBono

Jesse Krohn, Esq., of Saul Ewing LLP is a passionate advocate for SeniorLAW Center’s mission seeking justice for older people. In addition to serving as a SeniorLAW Center Board Member, Jesse also volunteers for our Grandparents Raising Grandchildren project, saying: “I respond to callers who reach out to the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren project for assistance. Most clients do not expect to find themselves raising children into their 60s, 70s, and even 80s, and have been called to do so because a parent is deceased, incarcerated, or unwell. Keeping families together and supporting stability in the home benefits children, caregivers, and communities.” Thank you, Jesse, for your commitment to making justice a reality for older adults in Pennsylvania! American Bar Association #probono #pbweek #CelebrateProBono

For our Thursday #ProBonoWeek spotlight, we'd like to recognize Elliot Imani Griffin, Esq., of Ballard Spahr LLP for her impactful pro bono service. Elliot advises SeniorLAW Center leadership on strategic organizational planning, including our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She says, "I had the unique opportunity to collaborate with the SeniorLAW Center team to review their DEI goals and support their efforts to foster a more inclusive workplace. SeniorLAW Center understands that creating an environment where employees feel safe and heard empowers them to better serve their clients." American Bar Association #probono #pbweek #CelebrateProBono

Our Wednesday #ProBonoWeek spotlight celebrates teresa CAVENAGH of Duane Morris LLP, a former SeniorLAW Center Board Chair. Teresa continues to serve older Pennsylvanians as a volunteer for the SeniorLAW Center Helpline, providing free, confidential legal advice, brief services, and information and/or referrals to older adults statewide. About her pro bono work, she says that “Answering the SeniorLAW Center Helpline is extremely rewarding work. To be able to help vulnerable senior citizens with their legal issues, problems, and concerns provides a new learning opportunity in every call I do… The Helpline is an incredible service for PA. I thank SeniorLAW Center for making this pro bono opportunity available to me.” American Bar Association #probono #pbweek #CelebrateProBono