The Coalition is pleased to welcome its newest affiliate member organization: The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN), Inc.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. is the corporate entity that provides funding, leadership, and support to nine regional and six specialty legal aid programs that comprise the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. Its nine regional programs provide free legal services in every county of the state and our six specialty programs address specific legal issues like housing, health, utilities, workers’ rights, and the rights of institutionalized individuals. PLAN, Inc. administers the funding, which comes from a variety of federal, state, and local sources, and contracts with its member programs for the provision of services. PLAN, Inc. also monitors performance, coordinates training, and supports the development of new resources for the Network. PLAN, Inc. and its affiliated legal aid programs have provided vital civil legal services to Pennsylvanians since 1973.
“The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network is honored to join the Coalition and stand among other organizations that appreciate the value of working together to achieve a more diverse and inclusive legal community. At PLAN, we understand that equity is a core component of justice. Therefore, we are making concrete commitments to foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within our organization and striving to integrate these principles into all aspects of our work. We believe embracing these core values strengthens our hiring practices, positively impacts our ability to support our Network’s programs and staff, and bolsters our capacity to provide effective and holistic legal services to low-income, marginalized people in Pittsburgh and throughout the Commonwealth.”
— Arlene Marshall-Hockensmith, Esq.
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging