New Request from RCAN
Dear RCAN Representatives,
I am writing to tell you about two new requests for assistance we have received in recent days—one person who needs immediate help clearing a criminal record and a family with 8 children in need of ongoing assistance. Please take a moment to learn about both of these requests and to consider how you and others in your congregation can be of assistance.
1) Ms AF is a 41 year old woman who has an extensive history of chronic medical and medical health issues. PDS has represented her on a criminal matter since spring of 2021. Given her complex clinical profile, she has qualified for mental health diversion court. She has made excellent progress and now has a chance to have a completely clean criminal record. The only thing standing in the way is a court order restitution payment of $2500. PDS is working with several organizations and groups to raise this money and RCAN has said we will try to pay $500 or more of this amount. How you can help: Make a donation to the RCAN Fund designated to help Ms. AF and we will apply it to the amount we contribute.
2) Mr. LP is currently incarcerated for a crime which PDS lawyers believe he did not commit. The charge is related to a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife and her husband. Mr. LP has custody of his three children because of abuse they experienced living with their mom and he and his children have been living with his fiancé (Ms. M) who has five children of her own. Mr. LP was working and helping to raise those eight children until he was incarcerated. Ms. M, who is also working, is now alone with the eight children and not able to make ends meet. RCAN recently gave this family some emergency groceries and a Target gift card to help with other necessities, but they are going to need ongoing assistance to meet the needs of these eight children and keep the family together. How you can help: Volunteer to be part of a small group of people from RCAN who will make contact with this family and stay in touch with them for the next several months. This group will determine the best ways they can assist PDS social workers and others in helping to meet the family’s needs.
If you want to assist Mr. LP’s family then please respond to this email and let us know you would like to help. Madalena or Connie will get back in touch with those who are interested to share more information about this family and to develop a framework for assisting them. If you want to make a contribution so that Ms. AF get a clean criminal record, then go to https://link.edgepilot.com/s/5575059a/Y3rd5ou5QUmTd8i3lfSOlA?u=http://www.nyapc.org/ and click on “Give Now” and then select RCAN from the drop down menu. A check can also be made out to New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (NYAPC) and sent to NYAPC, 1313 New York Avenue, NW, WDC 20005. If you send a check, be sure to put RCAN Fund in the memo line so it is credited to our account.
Thank you for considering this request and for anything you can do to assist these individuals in need.
All the best,
Theo Brown
Returning Citizens Assistance Network