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February 4, 2023

The Chestertown Spy

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Commerce

FY24 Maryland Heritage Area Authority Grant Round Now Open

January 24, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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Do you have a heritage tourism related project in mind for your organization?

Perhaps you are planning to restore a historic building, create a new museum exhibit, build a visitor center, develop a walking tour mobile application, or undertake some other project that showcases Maryland’s unique historical, cultural, or natural resources.  Will the project take place in a certified heritage area?

With over $5 million in grant funds available, a Maryland Heritage Areas project grant may be the funding source for you!

Important Dates

Intent to Apply Deadline – Jan. 2023

Application Deadline – March 6, 2023

Grants Awarded      – July 2023

MHAA Grant Program Basics

MHAA provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants for capital and non-capital projects located within Maryland’s 13 certified heritage areas.  Non-profit organizations, local jurisdictions, state agencies, and federal agencies are all eligible to apply.

Non-capital MHAA grants are awarded for up to $50,000 per project, while capital MHAA grants are awarded for up to $100,000 per project.

Match Policy

Applicants may propose any combination of cash and in-kind match.  This means a project might be matched entirely by volunteer time spent on the project if that makes sense for the application budget.  Read more about this and the entire application process in MHAA’s FY 2024 Guidelines

Webinars and Virtual “Office Hours”

Learn more about the opportunity by attending a live webinar, watching a recording of a webinar, or calling into MHAA staff’s virtual “office hours” to talk with about your project!

Want to learn more?  Watch the virtual webinar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcC84ixKDw

Click here to register for the workshops, to find the links to the Question and Answer Sessions, and access application documents.

https://mht.maryland.gov/heritageareas_partners.shtml.

Virtual Q&A Sessions

Mon, Jan 23 | 3-4 PM | via Google Meet or dial: +1 574-621-3704 PIN: 103 590 765#

Tue, Jan 31 | 10-11 AM | via Google Meet or dial: +1 929-299-3166 PIN: 257 026 949#

Fri, Feb 10 | 12-1 PM | via Google Meet or dial: +1 862-259-5973 PIN: 521 719 217#

Questions?

For more information about the application process, please refer to the webinars and to MHAA’s FY 2023 Guidelines.  These guidelines are updated each year to reflect policy changes.

Filed Under: Commerce Tagged With: commerce, local news

Ken Kozel Named To The Daily Record’s “2022-2023 Power 100” List

January 14, 2023 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

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Ken Kozel, President and CEO of UM Shore Regional Health

Ken Kozel, MBA, FACHE, President and CEO of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, has been included in The Daily Record’s 2022-2023 Power 100, a list of 100 men and women selected on the basis of their impact in shaping businesses, governments, nonprofits, law firms and other key institutions in Maryland. The 2022-23 list marks the second year that The Daily Record, a news outlet covering business, legal and government affairs in Maryland, has identified and recognized the top 100 people who play “an outsized role in the culture, lifestyle, civic conversation and economic fortunes in Maryland.”

The Power 100 list includes a summary of each individual’s role and accomplishments, along with a brief interview. Noting that he has been at the helm of UM Shore Regional Health since 2011, Kozel’s summary describes him as a “proven leader with an extensive background in building and managing collaborative teams, overseeing multiple clinical and non-clinical divisions and departments, and achieving strategic objectives.”

“On behalf of Shore Regional Health’s Board of Directors, I am so pleased to congratulate Ken Kozel on this well-deserved recognition,” said David Milligan, UM SRH Board Chair. “Under Ken’s leadership in the past decade-plus, our health care system has made phenomenal progress throughout our five-county region. We’ve dramatically expanded access to care by building several new facilities, including our medical pavilions in Cambridge, Denton, Easton and Queenstown; our freestanding emergency centers in Cambridge and Queenstown; the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center in Easton and Leh Women’s Center in Chestertown; and our urgent care centers in Denton, Easton and Kent Island. Additionally, we have established 22 Shore Medical Group practices employing more than 100 providers seeing patients throughout the region, and also achieved significant upgrades in our medical technology while strengthening our affiliation with University of Maryland Medical System to ensure that patients who need advanced, specialized treatment have access to world-class care. And now, we are moving forward with plans for a regional medical center, which Ken has shepherded since his early days with us.”

Kozel’s Power 100 summary quotes Kozel on the subject of mentors who assisted his career development and lessons he learned along the way. Citing the importance of building and maintaining relationships, he said, “So much about health care revolves around change. In order to effectively adapt, manage, anticipate and define change, you need to understand the subject matter, listen to your community, and work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to navigate change successfully.” Kozel also expressed his gratitude to his parents, who both worked in health care, and to CEOs, board chairs, physicians and other leaders who shared expertise and encouragement that supported his professional journey.

Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical System, was also selected to the Daily Record’s Power 100 list.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health

As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,000 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers works with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

Filed Under: Commerce Tagged With: commerce, local news, UM Shore Regional Health

Talbot County Business Resource Fair Scheduled for Jan. 21 in Easton

January 12, 2023 by Talbot County Office of Economic Development & Tourism Leave a Comment

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Small business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend the Talbot County Business Resource Fair on Saturday, January 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Building African American Minds Athletic Center in Easton.

Participants at the free event will gain important knowledge and resources to help facilitate business start-ups and expansion. The featured speaker will be the Small Business Development Center’s Rich Loeffler with “How to Finance Your Small Business,” with registration beginning at 10 a.m.

The Resource Fair is presented by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development, and Tourism, Building African American Minds (BAAM), Talbot Mentors, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, JACK Construction, and Naima Ventures, LLC.

Resource partners include the Small Business Development Center, Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center, Maryland Capital Enterprises, Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, TEDCO, and local banks and accounting firms.

“Being connected to resources helps businesses succeed, and we’re here to be the conduit for building these connections with local business owners and leaders,” said Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism Director Cassandra Vanhooser. “Participants will come away from this event knowing more about the programs and resources available to start and grow a business in Talbot County, including financing options for small businesses.”

Building African American Minds is helping host the event with the hope that minority business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs will feel welcome to attend and access the information.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to host this event with so many of our partners,” said BAAM Executive Director Dina Daly. “Together we are providing business resources that are accessible to any individuals who want to start a business in Talbot County, including minority businesses.”

The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.

Business owners and managers are encouraged to receive the department’s Talbot Works newsletter and breaking business news by subscribing at www.talbotworks.org. The department can also be reached at 410-770-8058 or by visiting their office at 11. S. Harrison Street, Easton, Md.

Filed Under: Commerce Tagged With: commerce, local news

Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s Easton Office Expands, Relocates

January 11, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s Easton office moved to a larger location on December 22, 2022. The new offices are located at 499 Idlewild Ave. and accommodate expanded free legal services for housing and family law. Mid-Shore Pro Bono had operated out of its 8 South West Street location for 10 years.

The Easton expansion comes in part due to the new tenant counsel legal services recently announced by Mid-Shore Pro Bono as part of Maryland’s new Access to Tenant Counsel law passed in 2021. Tenant counsel services are part of Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s housing justice program and include access to in-court representation for MSPB clients.

“This move follows our Salisbury office’s relocation and is another step in providing greater access to free legal help for people who otherwise wouldn’t have representation,” says Mid-Shore Pro Bono Executive Director Meredith Lathbury-Girard, Esq. “While we’ll miss the convenience of our West Street office’s in-town location, we are excited about our new space, especially its greater accessibility for all of our clients, staff, and volunteers.”

Photo: Mid-Shore Pro Bono staff members at the nonprofit’s newly expanded Easton location at 499 Idlewild Ave. From left: Legal Director Laura L. Chafey, Esq., Housing Case Manager Julia Jester, Administrative Director Cheryl Lee, Community Outreach and Communications Coordinator Edith Ramirez, and Staff Attorney Geoffrey Cook, Esq. 

Mid Shore Pro Bono Legal Director Laura Chafey, Esq., notes that “the number of clients contacting MSPB for legal help in the Mid Shore has increased over the last year. MSPB is expanding our space and our services to help meet the civil legal needs of individuals across our entire service area, including Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties.”

Staff and attorney volunteers of Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s Easton location address civil legal matters including tenant counsel, family law matters such as divorce and custody, preparation of wills, financial power of attorney, advance medical directives, consumer debt and bankruptcy, and foreclosure.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono delivers a mission of helping Maryland’s Eastern Shore residents obtain access to legal representation through the support of donor and grant funding, with offices in Easton and Salisbury. New clients need to complete an intake form at www.midshoreprobono.org, or call the office at 410-690-8128.

Filed Under: Commerce Tagged With: commerce, local news, Mid-Shore Pro Bono

Abbott Appointed to Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee

January 11, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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Douglas R. Abbott

Governor Larry Hogan appointed Douglas R. Abbott to serve on the Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee for a four-year term. Abbott currently oversees the Water, Wastewater, and Engineering Departments for Easton Utilities and has over 40 years of experience in the industry. “I am honored to join this committee and look forward to serving the State of Maryland in this capacity,” stated Abbott.

Established in 2004, the Bay Restoration Fund provides funding for various environmental expenses including the costs of sewage disposal systems, Bay restoration fees, and upgraded technology at wastewater treatment facilities. To meet the financing needs of the Fund, the nineteen-member Committee annually recommends whether the assessed restoration fees are adequate for meeting Fund expenses in the following fiscal year. In addition, the Committee analyzes the cost of nutrient removal from wastewater treatment facilities; advises the Department of the Environment on components of an education, outreach, and upgrade program; and advises the Secretary of the Environment on the adoption of regulations.

Easton Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility and telecommunications company operating the Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Cable Television, and Internet services for the Town of Easton and portions of the surrounding area. Visit eastonutilities.com for more information.

Filed Under: Commerce Tagged With: commerce, Easton Utilities, local news

Qlarant Celebrates 50 Years of Service in 2023

January 8, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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Qlarant, Inc. is celebrating 50 years of service in 2023. The Easton, Maryland based company is a national leader in quality improvement, program integrity, and technology solutions for some of the nation’s most important health care programs.

Formed by a group of doctors in Wicomico County in 1973, the company was created in response to the federal government’s creation of Professional Standards Review Organizations to control exploding Medicare hospital costs through Utilization Review. The area program covered the Maryland counties on the Delmarva Peninsula, and established headquarters in Easton, Maryland as a central location. Today, Qlarant has offices across the country and employs over 500 associates.

Dr. Ron Forsythe, Jr.

“Our longevity is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and innovative spirit of our people,” said Dr. Ron Forsythe, Jr., CEO.

After 50 years of growth, the company now maintains federal and state contracts and provides service throughout the United States and its territories. The original, single line of service has expanded to cover quality improvement programs; investigation of fraud, waste, and abuse; oversight of programs serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and aging; and technology solutions combining artificial and human intelligence that improve processes and reduce risk. Along the way, the organization formed the Qlarant Foundation, which now provides an average of $350,000 annually in grants to organizations dedicated to improving the lives of underserved populations in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Qlarant continues to respond to the ever changing environment by developing cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions designed to create efficiency and improve processes. More recently, the company formed Qlarant Capital to support the development of emerging companies and entrepreneurs.

Qlarant will celebrate the 50th anniversary throughout the year, marking its incorporation in April. A special logo highlights the anniversary and the company’s efforts as having the best people, providing the best solutions, and yielding the best results.

To learn more about Qlarant, visit www.qlarant.com

Filed Under: Commerce Tagged With: commerce, local news, Qlarant

Applications Open for Food & Farm Accelerator Program: $20,000 in Cash Grants, 40 Businesses Statewide

January 5, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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Applications are now open for Spring 2023 Cureate Courses, a free 10-week small business accelerator program for consumer packaged goods, beverages, and baked goods businesses.

Two businesses will have the chance to win a $5,000 cash prize. Businesses must be based in Anne Arundel County, Harford County & the Eastern Shore. A simple online application is open now: http://cureate.co/courses-md. Applications must be received by January 18.

In Spring 2023, the program focus will shift to small to mid-size specialty crop and grain farmers, prepared foods and catering businesses. Businesses based on the Eastern Shore, Harford County, Anne Arundel County and farms across Maryland will be eligible in the second session. As before, a $5,000 cash grant will be awarded to two businesses.

Cureate Courses is made possible by visionary leadership at the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), Baltimore Community Lending, and Cureate. The vision: to build a more resilient, local, diverse supplier network of food & beverage businesses throughout the state of Maryland, generating economic impact in every community. This innovative yearlong program is executed by Cureate, with the support of and in collaboration with Baltimore Community Lending, through a grant from the University of Maryland Medical System, funder of the program.

“We are excited to support the efforts of Cureate and Baltimore Community Lending as they launch this initiative focused on supporting small business entrepreneurs who are focused on building local food eco-systems in some of our most food and income insecure communities,” said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of UMMS. “A goal of our grant-making efforts is to directly support positive outcomes for individuals beyond the physical walls of our hospitals and serve as an engine to help drive economic and societal change in Maryland’s communities in which we are privileged to serve.”

“Baltimore Community Lending is pleased to support the development of startup and emerging entrepreneurs through this partnership. We look forward to being part of their journey as they gain the skills and connections to make their businesses more sustainable,” said Watchen Harris Bruce, President & CEO of Baltimore Community Lending.

Cureate Courses programming and leadership derives from Cureate. Cureate is a for profit, woman-owned small business building an empowered food & beverage supply to meet a changing consumer demand. Through small business development, food systems strategy, and local procurement programs, Cureate helps build interconnected, economically-vibrant communities. Visit www.cureate.co to learn more and bring Cureate to your neighborhood.

Filed Under: Commerce Tagged With: commerce, local news

Upper Shore Regional Council Receives $10 Million Rural Maryland Economic Fund Grant

December 17, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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The State of Maryland awarded Upper Shore Regional Council (USRC) a $10,000,000.00 Rural Maryland Economic Fund Grant to stimulate economic activity, private sector investment and grow job opportunities in the region. One of the five rural Maryland regional councils named as grant recipients, the USRC will use the funds to advance critical economic initiatives in Kent, Cecil and Queen Anne’s Counties and throughout the Upper Shore Region. In all, $50,000,000.00 in economic assistance was awarded to Maryland’s Upper, Mid and Lower Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland and Western Maryland by the Maryland Department of Commerce. Program guidelines allow each rural council to determine the best use of funds in alignment with the counties they represent.

“The economic and infrastructure challenges faced by rural communities are many, and this funding will help our citizens compete and prosper in a meaningful way,” said Susan O’Neill, Executive Director of USRC.

With collaboration determining the funding priorities on the Upper Shore, USRC will further a broad range of projects within Kent, Cecil and Queen Anne’s Counties and in the region at large. In Cecil County, $2,900,000.00 will support road improvements, workforce development and American Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility enhancements. “We thank the Upper Shore Regional Council and the State of Maryland for their support of rural economic development initiatives.  This investment allows us to further our plans to provide unparalleled access to quality jobs in Cecil County,” said William Sorenson, Economic Development Director for Cecil County.

In Kent County, $2,900,000.00 will be allocated to infrastructure and business development projects. “Quality infrastructure and economic opportunity go hand in hand,” observed Jamie Williams, CEcD, Economic and Tourism Development Director for Kent County. “Businesses of every size need adequate infrastructure to locate and/or expand. These projects are an investment in our citizens and our communities.”

Queen Anne’s County will use the $2,900,000.00 to enhance broadband access, infrastructure, workforce development, entrepreneurship, agriculture and aquaculture projects. “This transformational funding will allow the County to implement programming focused on access to better jobs, technology and innovation opportunities in some of our most rural areas,” stated Heather Tinelli, Economic and Tourism Development Director for Queen Anne’s County.

USRC will dedicate the remaining $1,300,000.00 to workforce development, career technical education, classroom technology improvements and business attraction projects.

“Local governments have the best feel for what their communities and jurisdictions need. The USRC and its three counties understand where funds are essential, and we thank Governor Hogan for placing trust in our leadership,” said Chris Corchiarino, Chair of the USRC Executive Board.

About the Upper Shore Regional Council: Since 2003, the Upper Shore Regional Council (USRC) has fostered planning and development in Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne’s counties. USRC affords federal, state, county and local governments a regional forum to identify issues and opportunities. USRC plans and implements programs to improve the quality of life in the Upper Shore Region of Maryland.    

Filed Under: Commerce Tagged With: commerce, local news

Emily Jenkins joins Mid-Shore Pro Bono as Housing Fellow

November 13, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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Emily Jenkins

Emily Jenkins of Chester, Md. has recently been named a Maryland Legal Services Corporation Housing Fellow at Mid-Shore Pro Bono, where the third-year University of Baltimore School of Law student works directly with staff attorneys to handle a variety of landlord and tenant matters.

MLSC is a statewide funder of civil legal aid and the administrator of the Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions program.

Jenkins graduated from Radford University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, concentrating in law, justice, and society with a minor in international studies. Jenkins plans to pursue public interest work or begin a career in real estate law after law school.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to join Mid-Shore Pro Bono as a Housing Fellow,” said Jenkins. “I have been given the opportunity to advocate for those who are unable to afford legal representation and help break down the cultural, geographic, and economic barriers within the civil justice system.”

Jenkins’ experience includes working as part of a research team for the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education’s Anti-Poverty Working Group. The working group’s Anti-Poverty Toolkit is envisioned to be a clearing house of open, online educational resources for scholars around the world to access, share, and update to raise standards of teaching and research in the field of anti-poverty.

“We’re grateful for Emily’s talents and world experiences while providing free legal help for people who otherwise wouldn’t have representation,” said Mid-Shore Pro Bono Executive Director Meredith Lathbury-Girard, Esq. “Emily’s internship is also a great example of collaboration, with funding through Maryland’s Access to Tenant Counsel program in partnership with the University of Baltimore.”

Mid-Shore Pro Bono announced the expansion of its tenant counsel services in August, with grant funding from Maryland Legal Services Corporation and Equal Justice Works helping to provide access to pro-bono legal services for tenants facing eviction.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s tenant counsel services help tenants who have received a notice of failure to pay rent and can address other issues including breach of lease, tenant hold-overs, rent escrow, constructive evictions, subsidy terminations, and more.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono delivers a mission of helping Maryland’s Eastern Shore residents obtain access to legal assistance, with offices in Easton and Salisbury. Tenants needing counsel can complete an online intake form at www.midshoreprobono.org, or call 410-690-8128 or 443-298-9424 during business hours.

Filed Under: Commerce Tagged With: commerce, local news, Mid-Shore Pro Bono

Mid-Shore Pro Bono Recognizes Top Volunteer Attorneys

November 8, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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Mid-Shore Pro Bono joined the Oct. 23-29 National Celebration of Pro Bono by recognizing its volunteer attorneys for their work providing access to legal representation for civil matters and the public good. Mid-Shore Pro Bono includes a growing network of more than 150 volunteer lawyers ensuring access to the legal system and providing free or reduced-fee legal services for those who need legal help on the Eastern Shore.

The nonprofit hosted an Oct. 27 reception at the Eastern Shore Conservation Center in Easton, Md. to thank the legal service provider’s volunteer attorneys. The event was sponsored by MSPB Board of Directors President Timothy Abeska, Esq. and featured live music with Fog After Midnight.

Pictured from left: MSPB Legal Director Laura Chafey, Esq.; MSPB Executive Director Meredith Lathbury-Girard, Esq.; Volunteer of the Year for Family Law recipient Andy Adkins, Esq. of the Law Office of Andrew Adkins in Easton, Md.; Volunteer of the Year for Housing & Consumer Debt recipient and MSPB Board Member Anthony Rodriguez, Esq. of Church Hill, Md.; and Volunteer of the Year for Elder Law recipient Kayla Coursey, Esq. of Braden, Thompson, Poltrack & Mundy in Stevensville, Md.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono Executive Director Meredith Lathbury Girard, Esq. made remarks at the reception thanking volunteer attorneys that help people through civil legal matters throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

“Every year, Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s volunteer attorneys provide free legal services to more than 3,000 people on the Eastern Shore,” said Lathbury-Girard. “Volunteers are the heart and soul of how we help people get the legal assistance they need with their divorce, their life planning documents, their landlord/tenant matters, and more.

“In fiscal year 2022, our extraordinary volunteers provided more than 9,000 hours of free legal services—services worth $2.25 million,” continued Lathbury-Girard. “I cannot express enough what an amazing impact this work has on people and our community.”

From left: Mid-Shore Pro Bono Executive Director Meredith Lathbury-Girard, Esq. and MSPB Board of Directors President Timothy Abeska, Esq.

Girard then shared several comments she has received over the past year, including one client remarking “Once I had an attorney through Mid-Shore Pro Bono, I stood taller and walked prouder because I knew there was someone in my corner.”

Mid-Shore Pro Bono recognized its top volunteer lawyers as ranked by the number of hours donated in legal services at the reception. Special recognition was also given to three volunteers as Volunteer of the Year in Family Law, Elder Law, and Housing and Consumer Debt.

Receiving special recognition were MSPB volunteer Andy Adkins, Esq. of the Law Office of Andrew Adkins in Easton, Md. as Volunteer of the Year for Family Law; Kayla Coursey, Esq. of Braden, Thompson, Poltrack & Mundy in Stevensville, Md. as Volunteer of the Year for Elder Law; and MSPB Board Member Anthony Rodriguez, Esq. of Church Hill, Md. as Volunteer of the Year for Housing & Consumer Debt.

“The people of the Eastern Shore are extremely fortunate to have the volunteer work of these dedicated attorneys,” said Laura Chafey, Esq., Legal Director at Mid-Shore Pro Bono. “And we are always looking for more attorneys to become volunteers with us and who share our passion for providing access to legal representation in civil matters for everyone, regardless of anyone’s ability to pay.”

Lathbury-Girard says the nonprofit relies on donations to support Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s free legal clinics, legal representation in court, community outreach, and volunteer attorney training and recruitment.

MSPB includes a growing network of more than 150 volunteer lawyers ensuring access to the legal system and providing free or reduced-fee legal services for those who need legal help on the Eastern Shore.

The National Celebration of Pro Bono is sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Center for Pro Bono Committee to recognize pro bono work as a professional responsibility and an individual ethical commitment of each lawyer. The ABA says the Committee launched the National Celebration of Pro Bono in 2009 because of the increasing need for pro bono services during harsh economic times and the unprecedented response of attorneys to meet this demand.

America’s legal organizations—including Mid-Shore Pro Bono—have since participated in the National Celebration of Pro Bono every October to draw attention to the need for pro bono participation, and to thank those who give their time year-round.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono’smission is to help Maryland’s Eastern Shore residents obtain access to legal representation through the support of donor and grant funding, with offices in Easton and Salisbury. More information and new client intake forms are at www.midshoreprobono.org.

Filed Under: Commerce Tagged With: commerce, local news, Mid-Shore Pro Bono

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