The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network is proud to announce the recipients of its 2011 Excellence Awards.

The list includes a variety of civil legal aid professionals and friends of civil legal aid across Pennsylvania who are being recognized for their efforts in support of the clients served by the civil legal programs of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network.

Yesterday, September 16, 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau released its official 2009 statistics on poverty in this report, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009.

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) notes the report is cause for concern for Pennsylvanians.

Nationally, nearly 57 million Americans are now poor enough to qualify for civil legal assistance. This is an increase of 3 million from 2008. Of the 57 million, 19.6 million were children. In just one year, the national poverty rate increased by a full percentage; from 13.2% in 2008 to 14.3% in 2009. The number of people in poverty in 2009 is the largest number in the 51 years for which poverty estimates have been published. The poverty rate for children rose even more dramatically.

The report reveals that children make up about 35% of the poverty population and people over 65 make up nearly 10% of the poverty population (those at or below 125% of the poverty level).

Also yesterday, RealtyTrac released its report on mortgage foreclosures in Pennsylvania which have increased by 15% over the same period two years ago and compared to one year ago. Pennsylvania’s foreclosure rate is growing at a higher rate than the national increase. “Pennsylvania’s legal aid programs are now reporting a 61% increase in new home ownership and mortgage foreclosure cases for clients facing loss of their homes this year, compared to last year,” said Sam Milkes, Executive Director of PLAN.

The Pennsylvania IOLTA Board has released a report entitled, Results of the Pennsylvania Access to Justice Act, A Report on the Filing-Fee Surcharge Law, FY 2004-2008. This report, related to funding received as a result of the Access to Justice statute (42 Pa. C. S. Section 4901 et. seq.), summarizes the results produced across Pennsylvania by the Access to Justice Act’s filing-fee surcharge. It begins by outlining the needs the AJA was enacted to address. The report then describes the many ways the legal assistance providers comprising the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network have strategically applied those dollars to maximize the benefits produced for low-income people, communities, taxpayers and courts across Pennsylvania.

The 2009 Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Excellence Awards were presented at the annual awards dinner on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at the Harrisburg Hilton & Towers. The evening's keynote speaker was The Honorable Marjorie O. Rendell, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Excellence Awards honor members and friends of the legal aid community who exemplify excellence in their commitment and accomplishments as advocates for low-income people.