Pittsburgh’s HELP program was created by three individuals in Pittsburgh:  Lisa Pampena of Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney; Judge David Hatfield of the Social Security Administration and Linda Sheets of Operation Safety Net, Pittsburgh Mercy Health System. The service, beginning in November, 2009, will provide private attorneys who will provide pro bono legal services once at month at the Operation Safety Net (OSN) office.

OSN is a health care, case management and housing program for the street homeless population. Prominent partners that are sponsoring this new service include: Neighborhood Legal Services; Allegheny County Bar Association; Pittsburgh Paralegal Association; Allegheny County Bar Foundation; and eight other law firms and corporations in addition to the lead law firm of Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney.

In addition, Judge David Hatfield will provide CLE credits and training on submitting claims to the social security administration. Providing legal services at a location that the homeless are familiar with and trust will most likely result in homeless individuals accepting services. The relationship between these key partners will provide an optimal environment for the client-attorney relationship to thrive. It is the goal of this new service to give individuals a means to obtain the necessary benefits needed to get off the streets as well as to provide a way to repair problems of their past so that they can move on to a healthier lifestyle.   

To date, 34 clients have been provided service by the attorneys for issues such as housing eviction, family issues and social security benefits. The types of cases to date are:

    50% SSI/SSDI related

    25% Domestic/Family Law

    20% Civil - Housing or real estate related/employment/squatters rights

    5% Minor Criminal - Tespassing/drunk & disorderly/unpaid fines

One recent case resulted in a man who lived on the streets for years, receiving SSDI and being able to live successfully in an apartment. 

Downloadable Documents

1. •H.E.L.P. Manual
   (New Orleans Version)
   

Service Location and Time

1. •Operation Safety Net
   

2. 1518 Forbes Avenue
   

3. Pittsburgh, PA 15219
   

4. •The 2nd Friday of each month,
   9-11 a.m.
   

Local Contacts

1. •Operation Safety Net Program Contact:
   

2. -Linda M. Sheets, MPM
   

3. Operation Safety Net, Pittsburgh Mercy
   Health System
   

4. Lsheets@mercy.pmhs.org
   

5. 412-232-5739
   

6. •Additional Pittsburgh H.E.L.P. Program Contacts:
   

7. -Lisa A. Pampena
   

8. Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney
   

9. Lisa.pampena@bipc.com
   

10. -Pamela Lynn Dalton-Arlotti
    

11. Neighborhood Legal Services Association
    

12. Dalton-arlottip@nlsa.us
    

13. -Lorrie K. Albert
    Allegheny County Bar Foundation, Pro Bono Project
    Lalbert@acba.org