December 20, 2012 – Galfand Berger’s contribution to the Hurricane Sandy relief efforts is only one way we demonstrate our firm’s commitment to community. Whether it is through our time or treasure, Galfand Berger supports organizations and efforts that embrace our firm’s core values of helping those who need a voice in our community. Below are some of the organizations we have supported in 2012. Their mission statements explain the organizations’ vital work. To learn more about them, we encourage you to visit their websites, too:
~ Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD): LCD provides free high-quality legal services tolow-income people with physical disabilitiesand to the deaf and hard of hearing. Visit their website at www.lcdphila.org.
~ Support Center for Child Advocates: The Support Center for Child Advocates is the country’s oldest and largest probono legal and social services agency for children. The Center’s mission is to advocate for abused and neglected children in Philadelphia, with the goal of securing a permanent, nurturing environment for every child. Visit their website at https://advokids.org/.
~ The Homeless Advocacy Project: HAP exists to meet the legal and advocacy needs of homeless individuals and families in Philadelphia. With a legal staff of six and a corps of 300 volunteer lawyers, paralegals, and law students, HAP engages in direct outreach to homeless individuals in need of legal services. Visit their website at www.homelessadvocacyproject.org.
~ Philly VIP: VIP promotes equal justice for the poor by providing civil legal services not otherwise available, collaborating with other legal services organizations and promoting a culture of volunteerism by educating and exposing attorneys and law students to issues of poverty. www.phillyvip.org.
~ Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania, Inc.: Kids’ Chance provides financial support for college and vocational education — through scholarship grants — to children of Pennsylvania workers who have been killed or seriously injured in a work-related accident. Since its founding by Galfand Berger, this organization has given away more than $1,000,000 in scholarships. Visit their website at www.kidschanceofpa.org
~ The Martha J. Hampton Award: This award is named after the late partner of Galfand Berger LLP who displayed an exemplary commitment to protecting the rights of injured workers. It is presented each year to the attorney or judge who best exemplifies Ms. Hampton’s dedication, professionalism and good will. A donation, in the recipient’s name, is made each year to Kids’ Chance.
~ Peggy Browning Fund: Established in memory of Margaret A. Browning, a prominent labor attorney and member of the National Labor Relations Board under President Clinton, the Fund’s mission is to provide law students with diverse, challenging work and educational experiences in the area of workers’ rights. Such unique and positive opportunities will both increase students’ understanding of workers’ needs as well as promote their entry into the practice of public interest labor law. Visit their website at www.peggybrowningfund.org
~ The Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health – or PhilaPosh — is made up of unions, health and legal professionals working together since 1975 for a safe and protected workplace as well as for the rights of injured workers. Visit their website at www.philaposh.org.
~ The New Sanctuary Movement: An interfaith coalition of immigrants, congregations, and individuals dedicated to taking a public stand for immigrant rights. Visit their website at www.sanctuaryphiladelphia.org
~ Friends of Farmworkers: An organization that seeks to improve the living and working conditions of indigent farmworkers, mushroom workers, food processing workers, and workers from immigrant and migrant communities. Visit their website at https://www.justiceatworklegalaid.org/home-page.
~ HIAS: HIAS Pennsylvania was founded to provide services to Jewish immigrants and refugees fleeing persecution and seeking opportunity by migrating to America. Based on the Jewish value of welcoming the stranger, HIAS Pennsylvania continues to resettle, reunite and represent Jewish migrants as well as other migrants residing in Philadelphia and surrounding counties who are of limited means. The agency seeks the fair treatment and full integration into American Society of migrants from all backgrounds. Visit their website at www.hiaspa.org
~ Mazzoni Center Legal Services: Mazzoni Center provides quality comprehensive health and wellness services in an LGBT-focused environment, while preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals they serve. Visit their website at www.mazzonicenter.org
~ Esperanza Immigration Legal Services: Esperanza Immigration Legal Services (EILS) was created in response to the growing number of immigrants moving to the Philadelphia area and the increasing demand in the immigrant community for information and legal assistance. EILS provides community education, advocacy, and direct legal services to immigrants and their families, so that they may participate in and benefit fully from American society. Visit their website at www.esperanza.us
~ Disability Right Network: Seeks toadvance, protect, and advocate for the human, civil, and legal rights of Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Visit their website at www.drnpa.org
~ Community Legal Services: Helps low-income Philadelphia residents obtain equal access to justice by providing them with advice and representation in civil legal matters; advocating for their legal rights; and conducting community education about the legal issues that affect them. www.clsphila.org
~ Jobs with Justice: Philadelphia Area Jobs with Justice is a coalition of labor unions and student, community, and faith groups. Together, they fight for the fair treatment of workers, organizing in local communities and workplaces. www.phillyjwj.org
~ Bread & Roses Fund: Bread & Roses is a unique gathering of activists committed to supporting social justice by raising and distributing funds. A public foundation, Bread & Roses has distributed over $10 million to groups working for access to health care; economic justice; a clean, safe environment; civil and human rights; peace; and other social justice issues. In addition, Bread & Roses provides services, like technical assistance and leadership development, to grantees and donors. www.breadrosesfund.org
…and the list goes on. Our staff and attorneys volunteer at homeless shelters, participate in food and clothing drives, walk, run and swim for charity and support the vital work of labor groups throughout Pennsylvania.
With gratitude and best wishes, our Galfand Berger family extends to you and your family our warm wishes for a joyous celebration and a prosperous New Year. Happy Holidays!