Running to Support Child Advocates

For over thirty years, the Support Center for Child Advocates, located at 19^th and Cherry Street, has been providing advocacy for abused and neglected children in Philadelphia.  It is the country’s oldest and largest pro bono legal and social services agency for children. 

With the thousands of documented cases of child abuse and neglect each year, Child Advocates has the formidable task of coordinating the advocacy of these children in child welfare and custody court proceedings.  It provides the special training session of volunteer lawyers from the area.  Child Advocates then teams the lawyers with child advocate social workers and its own staff attorney consultants for each case.  These cases can involve finding safe and permanent places for the children to live, securing educational support to help them stay in school, obtaining medical, behavioral health, and social services to help them recover and helping them testify in court against their abusers.

Such dedicated effort is costly.  Child Advocates spends approximately $2,600 to serve a child each year.  Just like other public interest organizations,  Child Advocates has not been immune to the economy.  Its operational budget faces a huge deficit.  The organization raises the majority of its funding from private donations, which are down from prior  years.  Some child cases have had to be turned away due to fiscal considerations.     

It is up to lawyers to step up and help out Child Advocates and other public interest organizations.  A good way to do so is by participating in the Philadelphia Bar Association 30^th Annual 5K Run/Walk this Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.  The event draws close to 1,000 participants.  Proceeds directly benefit the Support Center for Child Advocates. 

If you aren’t an athlete, then at least be an athletic supporter.  You can pledge money to those running or, of course, donate directly to the Support Center for Child Advocates.  Every little bit helps.

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My First Federal Trial

 Michael Adler asked me to post this:

“Hey YLD Members!  Getting ready for your first federal court appearance or perhaps your first big trial in federal court?  Interested in learning some pointers from a terrific panel of seasoned trial lawyers and judges?  Looking for an incredible networking opportunity?  Need CLE credits?  On Thursday, May 3, 2007, at 4 PM, come down to the Federal Courthouse (that’s the tall brick building on the north side of 6^th & Market!) for a program sponsored by the Federal Courts Committee, together with the Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, called “My First Federal Trial.”  This highly-entertaining and well-attended annual CLE program features experienced lawyers who are also good practical teachers, as well as a panel of the Eastern District’s best Judges, who will address topics such as:·         What to do in those last few hours (things that are not set out in the rules) ·         What to expect at the final pretrial conference ·         The mechanics of a trial – where to stand, where to sit, what to do with exhibits, etc. ·         What to do if you get in trouble ….and much more This program offers more than your time and money’s worth for two hours of CLE credits, plus an opportunity to meet and talk to the Judges at a reception following the program.  For further details and registration information, please contact Ellen Meriwether at emeriwether@caffertyfaucher.com or
Michael Adler at madler@hotwiremail.com or simply click on the link for online registration.  

Citizen Journalists

Dear readers, we are riding the waves of change.  The internet is transforming American politics– both national and local.  Blogs in particular have given the American public a new forum–a new way to gather information and to voice opinion.  

Where the journalism of mainstream media is “objective,” politically correct and middle of the road, bloggers are stepping in to fill the void.   Bloggers cover stories like the journalists of ages past, where many reporters made no pretense of political neutrality. 

Bloggers are not relegated to the back seat.  No–they are gaining recognition as a viable force in journalism.  Indeed, the perjury trial of Lewis Libby marks the first federal case for which independent bloggers have gained official access as journalists.

Bloggers are unique because they can raise awareness of a story that would otherwise go unheard.

The recent scandal surrounding the firing of the U.S. Attorneys was flying below the radar of the mainstream media.  The story caught fire in the blogs, which then forced the MSM to take notice.  Not only is it front page news, but Congress is holding hearings on it.  All because of blog coverage.

And do not forget Philly’s own success story:  The folks at Young Philly Politics succeeded in forcing Councilman Jim Kenny to retract his bill that would have repealed the campaign contribution limits in the middle of an election.

The point is that we have a voice.  We can no longer sit back and bemoan the unfairness and futility of it all.  We can make a difference.  We can change the world.  We have seen it happen.