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GREETINGS FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | | |
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September is one of my favorite months, and seems full of promise and possibilities. This month I am reminded again and again how proud and fortunate we are to do this work. To have the privilege to devote our professional lives to the service of others and to the fundamental and proud pursuit of access to justice for those most disenfranchised. To work with inspiring and remarkably talented colleagues, at our shop, in the legal services community and in the nonprofit sector at large, and with our volunteers and Board Members, who give so generously of their time and talents. We are truly fortunate. So I am filled with gratitude and inspiration. I am inspired by and grateful for our client Ms. Williams, below, who spoke recently at a City Council press conference, not only courageously sharing her own story, but also advocating for others. Wow. And by my dear friend and colleague Lloyd Francis, whom we lost recently but whose legacy of service at SeniorLAW Center and to our country lives on, always. And by my colleague and nonprofit partner of over 20 years, Larry Felzer, who shared his story as a leader in the LGBTQ, nonprofit and legal communities at our 2024 Gala, and does so in the most recent edition of our Blog, below. And by so many others, our interns, staff, and partners, including you, who are instrumental to this pursuit of justice for all.
Ever Grateful,
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HIGHLIGHTING OUR ORGANIZATION & WORK | | |
“SeniorLAW Center saved my life.” | | |
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Over the summer, we hosted a Life Planning Clinic to provide key personal planning documents to low-income older Philadelphians. The free services provided at these clinics supply our clients with the legal tools to make critical health care, financial and end-of-life arrangements.
One of the clinic participants was Ms. Williams, who expressed a heartfelt appreciation for SeniorLAW Center that went beyond the services she received that day.
She told us, “SeniorLAW Center saved my life.”
Ms. Williams first came to SeniorLAW Center for help resolving her home’s tangled title, an issue that was preventing her from qualifying for household assistance programs. After working with our Homeownership Rights team for nearly two years, we were able to record the deed in her name, restoring her rightful eligibility for a variety of Philadelphia homeownership initiatives, including the Whole Home Repairs and property tax relief programs.
Now, she has further peace of mind – with her life planning documents complete, her home will remain with her family.
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Major Advocacy Win: Brith Sholom House Acquired by Philadelphia Housing Authority | | |
Supervising Attorney, Tenant Rights, Daniel Hyman, Esq. speaking at a May City Hall rally calling on the city to save Brith Sholom House. | |
For the past several months, our team has fiercely advocated alongside partners the Public Interest Law Center, Renters United and others for the City to intervene in the crisis at Brith Sholom House, one of only a few affordable senior housing complexes in the city, with severe habitability issues and nearly 150 older and disabled tenants in imminent danger of eviction due to the owner’s failure to maintain the building. Following extensive collaboration with key stakeholders, it was recently announced that the Philadelphia Housing Authority will be acquiring the building, the first step in securing justice for Brith Sholom’s tenants. Read more about the acquisition at the Philadelphia Inquirer. | "Older tenants in Philadelphia face rent increases, a lack of accessible housing, and waiting lists that can be years or even decades long. We applaud the City and Philadelphia Housing Authority for taking a huge step forward by purchasing Brith Sholom House and committing to keeping the more than 100 residents currently there housed. They have preserved a unique and precious community that was threatened by a grossly negligent landlord.” – Daniel Hyman, Esq., Supervising Attorney, Tenant Rights, SeniorLAW Center | We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that the comfort, safety, and security of Brith Sholom’s older tenants are topline priorities throughout this transition. | |
Remembering our Colleague, Lloyd Francis | | |
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We sadly share the loss of our beloved SeniorLAW Center colleague and friend Lloyd Francis, who died on August 10, 2024.
Lloyd worked with us since 2011 in a variety of roles, from Receptionist to Administrative Assistant and most recently, as a member of our HelpLine and Intake, Education and Pro Bono team. Lloyd first came to SeniorLAW Center as a Senior Employment program participant through the Mayor’s Commission on Aging, and had just celebrated his 13th SeniorLAW Center work anniversary last month. In his time here, Lloyd worked directly with clients both face-to-face and over the phone to help identify their legal issues and connect them to services.
Lloyd was a proud veteran and career military man. He will be profoundly missed as an important member of the SeniorLAW Center community. Read more about Lloyd's life and legacy at SeniorLAW Center.
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Appreciation for our Summer 2024 Interns | | |
Jeremy Zimmerman (L) with Sr. Attorney, Tenant Rights Adam Weintraub-Barth, Esq. and Ryan Boyd (R, virtual) with Supervising Attorney, Homeownership Rights Kevin Boswell, Esq. at the SeniorLAW Center Summer Intern Farewell | |
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With summer coming to an end, we recently bid farewell to our law school interns, Jeremy Zimmerman (Penn State Dickinson Law) and Ryan Boyd (Rutgers Law School – Camden), as they return to their respective law schools for the fall semester. We are grateful for their excellent work and their dedicated contributions to SeniorLAW Center’s mission.
Jeremy supported the Tenant Rights team, where he researched memos, wrote counterclaims, spoke with clients, assisted in court preparation, and of course, experienced the rapid-pace environment of the Lawyer of the Day Program, which offers free same-day representation to income-eligible tenants in Landlord/Tenant Court through the collaborative Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Program, of which SeniorLAW Center is a key partner. “I feel like I’ve gained invaluable practical experience,” he shared. Through this internship, Jeremy learned how to how to work with and listen to clients and experienced the realities of court life firsthand. “Having this opportunity has shown me so much more than any classroom could ever teach me.”
Supporting the Homeownership Rights team, Ryan worked on a variety of projects, including probate proceedings, a quiet title adverse possession complaint, Tangled Title Fund applications, deed transfers, and made home visits for disabled and homebound clients. Despite his abbreviated internship schedule – he was also attending classes and working his regular job over the summer – Ryan was exposed to a range of experiences and gained knowledge that he will take with him as he continues representing workers. “I am grateful to have been included in SLC’s mission,” he shared. “It’s something I think everyone in the organization should be proud of.”
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HIGHLIGHTING OUR COMMUNICATIONS | | |
Read the Latest Edition of our Blog, SeniorLAW Center Insights: "My Reflections on Justice, Advocacy, and Chosen Family" by Larry Felzer | | |
From L to R: 2024 SeniorLAW Center Hall of Fame honoree, Stephen Stewart, Esq.; Champion for Justice honoree Larry Felzer, Esq.; and our friend and partner Reggie Shuford, E.D., North Carolina Justice Center and former E.D., ACLU PA. | |
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At SeniorLAW Center’s 2024 “Celebrating Justice” Gala, we paid tribute to Larry Felzer, Esq., our Senior Director of Finance and Operations, and his leadership in the public interest, legal, and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as his 20+ years of service at SeniorLAW Center, advancing justice for older adults.
As a Champion for Justice honoree, Larry gave an inspiring speech about his life in public service, his life in the LGBTQ+ community, and his chosen family, which we have adapted into this blog post.
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2024 National Conference on Law and Aging: Inspiration, Justice and Hope for the Future | | |
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Executive Director Karen C. Buck reflected on her National Conference on Law and Aging (NALC) experience this May in Miami - the first one to be held in-person since 2020 - in the latest issue of the American Bar Association's BIFOCAL journal. She proudly presented with Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper and Judge Lois Murphy before a national audience.
In her article, Karen shares the inspiring achievements of colleagues around the country, including the great strides made in PA, and comes away from NALC "renewed and inspired” for the future: for the innovative strategies and best practices to implement, for the new generation of leaders in elder justice, and for the important work still ahead of us.
Read about her experience here.
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