Summit Legal Aid

On a background of medium blue with snowflakes for the season, an image of a smartphone displaying the first section of our e-newsletter with contents and the first headline. To the right is a text box that says "The latest issue of the Summit Summary is now available." Below is text that says "Read about our new Driver's License Restoration Program, a new opportunity to collaborate, state and federal updates, meet our new staff attorney, and more!" Then there is a link to access the newsletter. The Summit Legal Aid logo is in the bottom right-hand corner with our website: www.summitlegal.org

Our newest newsletter is live! 🎉 Get the latest updates from Summit Legal Aid and a sneak peek at what’s coming next.

👉 Read more: mailchi.mp/summitlegal/...

NEW! Pennsylvania Driver's License Restoration Program! We can help with: ☑️ Navigating Pennsylvania driver's license restoration requirements ☑️ Appeals ☑️ Probationary Licenses ☑️ Occupational Limited Licenses ☑️ Ignition Interlock Licenses For more information, visit: https://summitlegal.org/services/economic-security/drivers-license-restoration/ For legal help: Call: 1-800-846-0871 Email: info@summitlegal.org To apply for legal help online, visit https://summitlegal.org/get-legal-help/ Summit Legal Aid proudly serves: Armstrong, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties. #LegalAid #LegalAidMatters

📣 NEW PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT!

🪪 Summit Legal Aid has a new Pennsylvania Driver's License Restoration Program!

For more information, visit: summitlegal.org/services/eco...

#LegalAid #LegalAidMatters

All Summit Legal Aid offices will be closed this afternoon for our staff holiday luncheon. We will return on Monday, December 15th, at 8:30 AM.

All Summit Legal Aid offices will be closed this afternoon for our staff holiday luncheon.
We will return on Monday, December 15th, at 8:30 AM.

Last year, Summit Legal Aid helped 13,997 people by handling 6,565 legal matters, and reached another 6,219 community members through outreach, clinics, and legal education events.

Learn about our impact at www.summitlegal.org

To support our work, visit www.summitlegal.org/donate

#JusticeForAll

Thank you to everyone who supported Summit Legal Aid this #GivingTuesday! Your generosity makes a real difference for households that are facing life-altering legal challenges. Because of you, more people will have access to legal help. More families will stay housed, more survivors of abuse can get protection, and more of our neighbors will get the help they need to regain financial stability. Thank you for standing with us and supporting justice for all! #thankyou #JusticeForAll

Thank you to everyone who supported Summit Legal Aid this #GivingTuesday!

Your generosity makes a real difference for households that are facing life-altering legal challenges.

Thank you for standing with us and supporting justice for all!

#thankyou #JusticeForAll

Today is #GivingTuesday - a day dedicated to uplifting nonprofit organizations across the world!! Today, you can support our work. This past year, Summit Legal Aid's case numbers increased by 12.5% across our 10-county region, indicating that the need for civil legal help is rising. While demand for our services continues to rise, our funding faces uncertainty, which could have real consequences. When people cannot access legal help, the ripple effects deepen poverty, destabilize families, and strain entire communities. Today, your gift matters more. With your support, we can ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors get the essential legal help that they need. To support our work, visit www.summitlegal.org/donate #JusticeForAll

Today is #GivingTuesday - a day dedicated to uplifting nonprofit organizations across the world!!

Today, your gift matters more.
With your support, we can ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors get the essential legal help that they need.

Visit www.summitlegal.org/donate

#JusticeForAll

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Summit Legal Aid!!!

Summit Legal Aid intake and offices will be closed tomorrow, November 27th and Friday, November 28th.
We will return on Monday, December 1st.

Have a wonderful holiday!

A teal text box in the upper left-hand corner says "Have you seen our updated website?!" The Summit Legal Aid logo is in the top right-hand corner of the image and the website link is below: www.summitlegal.org. A screenshot of the new homepage is displayed.

Have you seen our updated website?! 👀

Check it out and let us know what you think!!

👉 www.summitlegal.org

Flyer for a free Utility & Housing Clinic hosted by Pennsylvania Utility Law Project and Summit Legal Aid. The event is on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Cambria County Academic Center, 110 Franklin Street, 1st Floor, Johnstown, PA 15901. The flyer highlights available help with: Utility Assistance: shutoffs, billing disputes, and enrolling in programs with agents from electric, gas, and water companies. Housing Issues: evictions or threats of eviction, landlord/tenant matters. Public Benefits: SNAP (Food Stamps), Medical Assistance (Medicaid), and LIHEAP (Heating & Energy Assistance). It notes the clinic is open to residents of Cambria, Indiana, and Somerset Counties, with walk-ins welcome and last appointments at 4:30 PM. Residents are encouraged to bring bills, ID, and proof of income (pay stubs, benefits letter). Registration information is included with a phone number (814-536-8917), QR code, and website link (bit.ly/PULP-SLA-legal-clinic-nov-2025). Logos for Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, Summit Legal Aid, and Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network are shown, along with images of utility bills and people receiving assistance.

Need help with utilities, housing, or benefits? 🏠⚡🍎
Join us in Johnstown Nov. 7 for a FREE Utility & Housing Clinic!
✅ LIHEAP
✅ Utility shutoffs/bills
✅ SNAP, Medical Assistance
✅ Evictions & tenant rights
📍 Cambria County Academic Center
➡️ bit.ly/PULP-SLA-legal-clinic-nov-2025

Summit Legal Aid - WCCF Gives "Equal Justice for ALL" Every dollar goes towards providing free legal assistance to vulnerable neighbors facing homelessness, domestic violence, loss of essential benefits, and other legal crises. Your gift makes a lasting impact and ensures that justice is within reach for everyone. September 18, 2025 wccfgives.org/organizations/summit-legal-aid

🎉 Thursday, September 18th is Washington County Community Foundation’s 12th annual Gives Day! We're grateful for this opportunity to raise necessary funds so we can continue to help people in need.

Mark your calendar! WCCF Gives Day is this Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM!

Summit Legal Aid - WCCF Gives "Equal Justice for ALL" Every dollar goes towards providing free legal assistance to vulnerable neighbors facing homelessness, domestic violence, loss of essential benefits, and other legal crises. Your gift makes a lasting impact and ensures that justice is within reach for everyone. September 18, 2025 wccfgives.org/organizations/summit-legal-aid

🎉 Thursday, September 18th is Washington County Community Foundation’s 12th annual Gives Day! We're grateful for this opportunity to raise necessary funds so we can continue to help people in need.

Mark your calendar! WCCF Gives Day is this Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM!

📣 New help for PA taxpayers!

Our Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) can now assist with PA state tax issues like:
✅ Tax disputes & credits
✅ Payment plans & collections
✅ Audits
✅ ID theft & fraud
✅ Residency/work across states
✅ Innocent spouse relief

☎️ 1-800-846-0871
📧 info@summitlegal.org

📣Residents of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties:
We're holding focus group meetings this summer!

Spots are limited! Sign up here 👉 www.surveymonkey.com/r/SLA-NLSFocusGroups

📣Help us bridge the gap - share your voice in our Community Legal Needs Assessment! Your feedback helps us provide better services!

Take the surveys or sign up for a focus group here: summitlegal.org/community-legal-needs-assessment/

#SpeakUp and #BeHeard about the needs in our community!

Summit Legal Aid and the Fair Housing Law Center are partnering with Westmoreland Community Action for a Know Your Rights 101 workshop!

📆Wednesday, May 7th
🕛Noon to 2:00 PM
📍 557 Donner Avenue
Monessen, PA 15062

Scan the QR code to sign up online at bit.ly/3R92sUU
We hope to see you there!

Our newest research brief, “The Economic Case for Civil Legal Aid,” has just been released! It presents findings from a comprehensive review of 56 studies on legal aid's economic impact. Every study found a positive ROI, with an average return of $7 for every $1 invested.

Learn more: lsc.gov/ROI

This is a congratulatory graphic for Diane Gurner featuring her professional headshot in a circular frame against a blue gradient background. Text reads 'Congratulations Diane Gurner' at the top and '2025 Excellence Awards Outstanding Non-Attorney Advocate' at the bottom. Decorative star elements appear in the corners of the image.

At the 2025 Excellence Awards, we were proud to honor Diane Gurner, Intake Administrator and Compliance Specialist at @summitlegalaid.bsky.social, with the Outstanding Non-Attorney Advocate Award.

Watch her full video tribute here: bit.ly/3Ye3SBq

AG Sunday Obtains Ruling Against Western Pa. Landlords, Joseph John and Joseph John Jr., And Urges Tenants to Contact Office HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a Fayette County Court of Common Pleas Order finds that a western Pennsylvania father-son landlord duo violated the law in connection with “ren...

The PA Office of Attorney General encourages anyone who was in a rent-to-own or “lease with option to purchase” contract with Joseph F. John and Joseph F. John II to contact their office so they can seek restitution on your behalf.

More info: www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-actio...

"For Immediate Release - The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has terminated grants nationwide that were designated for addressing housing discrimination - including Summit Legal Aid's Fair Housing Law Center. This will impact access to justice."

Fair Housing organizations across the nation, including our Fair Housing Law Center, have experienced federal funding cuts by DOGE, jeopardizing over $30 million in congressionally authorized funding.

Read the article from @wesa.fm here 👉 www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

More updates to come.

The title states: "Access to food is a basic right." Text below in smaller font states: "Food Stamps (SNAP) helps to provide vital support for households in need." To the right of the text is an image of a young girl eating an apple. In the bottom left-hand corner is the Summit Legal Aid logo, which is three mountain peaks and "Summit Legal Aid" below. Then our toll-free number and email address.

🍽️ Access to food is a basic right, and no one should have to go hungry!

👉 How we can help: ✅ Answer your questions about food stamps (SNAP) eligibility and the application process ✅ Support you through the appeal process if your benefits are denied

📞 1-800-846-0871
🌐 www.summitlegal.org

#LegalAid

The Fair Housing Month poster contest for 2025 is now open.  The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability. The Act's goals are to prevent discrimination and to reverse housing segregation. The prompt: Create a poster that incorporates your favorite civil rights activist's vision of diverse and welcoming communities. Rules: Contest open to students in 9th-12th grades; posters will be judged on use of theme and appearance; entries must include the student's name, email address, school, grade, and teacher's name and email; any medium is allowed; submit posters online or via mail to 10 West Cerry Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. 1st prize: $250 gift card, 2nd prize: $150 gift card, 3rd prize: $50 gift card. Entries due by April 18, 2025. Our announcement features a photograph of Dr. Martin Luther King with red, yellow, and green stripes.

#FairHousingMonth is right around the corner and our team at the Fair Housing Law Center is celebrating with a poster contest! 🎨

For rules & submissions, visit fhlaw.org/fair-housing...

#FairHousing #LegalAid

🌏 Today, we join the global community in honoring the World Day of Social Justice. Together, we stand for equality, fairness, and the protection of human rights.

At Summit Legal Aid, we are committed to providing free legal aid to those who need it most - ensuring equal access to justice!

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Summit Legal Aid! ❤️💕

#valentinesday #LegalAid

On a white background, is a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in large, black text that says "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." The quote is from Dr. King's Letter from Birmingham Jail (April 16, 1963).

All Summit Legal Aid offices are closed today in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Every year on the 3rd Monday in January, together as a nation, we honor Dr. King’s dedication to equality and justice. To read more about the history of the day, visit: nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stor...

On a pale blue background with snow falling, the announcement about our current office closures is in the center of the image in dark blue text. There are four dark blue snowflakes in varying sizes around the text of the image. The email address (info@summitlegal.org) and toll-free number (1-800-846-0871) are at the bottom, center of the image. The Summit Legal Aid logo is in the bottom right-hand corner.

❄️ Due to the current weather conditions, our Greensburg, Waynesburg, and Somerset offices are closed to walk-ins.
Our intake lines are still in operation.

Our other offices are currently open, but we will be monitoring the weather. We will announce if there are any additional closures. Stay safe!!

On a pale turquoise background, pale gold, lower cap text says "we wish you a." Further down is pale gold text that says "Happy New Year." Together, the two lines of text read "we wish a Happy New Year." In between these two lines of text is the year 2024 turning into 2025 in sparkling gold numbers with the 5 rotating up to take the place of the 4. 6 shining stars are scattered around the image. In the bottom left hand corner is a white circle with the Summit Legal Aid logo inside.

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to thank our amazing staff, partners, and supporters who have made this year so wonderful.

We wish everyone a safe and happy new year! 🎉

#thankyou #LegalAid #HappyNewYear

On a teal background, a large white speech bubble is positioned in the center. Inside the speech bubble are two lines of text. The first line is orange cursive text that says "We Are." The second line is capitalized, bold black text that says "HIRING." Together, they read "We Are HIRING." Below the speech bubble is the Summit Legal Aid logo. Beneath the logo is the link to our employment page on our website.

📣 We're hiring! For a list of our current job openings and how to apply, visit summitlegal.org/employment

A snowy scene with snow-covered pine trees lines the bottom of the image and snow is falling in the background. At the top left-hand corner is the Summit Legal Aid logo with a winter theme: The mountain peaks have snow and there is a winter hat on the "S," a scarf around the "I" and a pair of mittens looped around the "T." At the top, in the center of the image, are two lines of text. The first line is dark red text that says "holiday" in lowercase letters. The second line is grey capitalized text that says "hours." Below, taking up the majority of the image, is a graphic of a wooden, snow-covered sign with the holiday hours in white text.

Holiday hours for Summit Legal Aid!
We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

On a navy-blue background, falling snow lines the top of the image. Beneath the falling snow is light blue text on two lines that says “Welcome to the Team!” Two mirror images of light blue snowflakes are on either side of the text. Under the text, in the center of the image is a photo of Kristen Patton. She is wearing a black blazer with a dark blue shirt and she is standing against a wood paneled wall. At the bottom of the photo is a light blue banner with three lines of navy-blue text that reads “Kristen Patton, Esq. Staff Attorney Uniontown Office.” Below the banner is the Summit Legal Aid logo. Lining the bottom of the image is a snowy winter scene with three hills in varying shades of blue with four pine trees and falling snow.

Help us welcome Kristen Patton!
Kristen comes to us with a lot of legal experience, including 3 years as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Linda R. Cordaro in Fayette County. Her passion is advocating for underserved populations and that’s why she joined us at Summit!
Welcome, Kristen!

A winter holiday-themed border of pine branches and red and gold ornaments line the top and bottom of the image. In the center is text that says "Summit Legal Aid offices will be CLOSED this afternoon December 13th for our staff holiday luncheon." At the bottom is the Summit Legal Aid logo with a winter theme. The mountain peaks have snow and there is a winter hat on the "S," a scarf around the "I" and a pair of mittens looped around the "T."

Summit Legal Aid offices will be closed this afternoon for our staff holiday luncheon.
We will be back to our regular hours on Monday morning