HARRISBURG – Area lawyers and financial experts will be available to the public beginning July 7 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Centre County Bar Association, 232 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, as part of Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s “Get Help Now, Pennsylvania” volunteer initiative to provide financial and legal help to Pennsylvanians affected by the economic downturn.
Volunteers will provide assistance on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1 to 6 p.m. throughout the summer, culminating on Sept. 11 with a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Rendell has enlisted attorneys, banking and mortgage professionals, and financial analysts who are knowledgeable in the areas of finance, credit, and/or bankruptcy to serve on help desks in many local bar association offices across the state.
At the “Get Help Now, Pennsylvania” help desks, volunteer professionals will meet with citizens to discuss ways to address their financial difficulties. While the volunteers will not be able to serve as a citizen’s personal lawyer or credit counselor in these meetings or thereafter, these professionals will be able to help identify and contact organizations that can address a citizen’s specific concerns.
“President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have asked all governors and first ladies to join them in a service initiative designed to help our fellow citizens in need,” Rendell said. “Midge and I have designed a service plan to help those who are struggling financially, and we have asked Pennsylvania’s legal and financial professionals to step forward in their communities.”
“Lawyers are in the business of helping people,” said PBA President Clifford E. Haines. “We are a profession that believes in pro bono service and puts its beliefs into action, and I was heartened by the enthusiastic response we have received from the many lawyer-volunteers who are giving valuable time to such a valuable cause.”
Citizens may learn more about the program and locations by visiting here calling the Pennsylvania Bar Association, toll-free, at 1-888-799-4557.
Get Help Now PA is a collaborative effort of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Centre County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers, the Mortgage Bankers Association of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Association of Mortgage Brokers, the Pennsylvania Financial Services Association, the Office of the First Lady and Pennsylvania Department of Banking.