ABA Journal - Each year, our organization, Community Legal Services, provides legal assistance to thousands of individuals who otherwise could not afford counsel. Our work, and that of the volunteer attorneys who support us, is essential in helping people navigate matters as simple as signing a lease or as complex as obtaining an injunction against an abusive spouse.

The vast majority of those we help are female (74%), and more than half of the households have a minor child at home. The issues they face are those that have the greatest impact on families—housing, safety and income stability. In these times, when both schedules and budgets are stretched thin, it is more important than ever to remind our communities, both professional and personal, of the overwhelmingly positive impact legal aid has on society.

Families face daunting challenges
To understand the impact, though, we must first look at the unique challenges families face, as reported by the National Women’s Law Center and other sources:

Federal Trade Commission - Have you gotten a call that looks like it’s from your local police department? Scammers are faking caller ID to impersonate local law enforcement, hoping to get you to pay. Learn how this scam works so you can avoid it.

The call comes from someone claiming they’re a sheriff or deputy at your local police department. They say they’ve confiscated a package with your name on it. It’s filled with money, illegal drugs, or weapons — and you’ll be arrested unless you pay a fine. To avoid being arrested, they might tell you to send cash, deposit money at a Bitcoin ATM, buy gift cards and give them the numbers, or send money over a payment app like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.

Even if the caller uses the name of a real officer, has a real number show up on caller ID, or has information about you (like your address), that’s not a real officer calling. It’s a scammer trying to steal your money. Here’s what to know:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — As south-central Pennsylvania prepares for dangerously high heats over the next few days, a number of locations across the region have opened their doors to anyone looking to escape the heat.

CBS 21 WEATHER WARN DAYS |Heat wave grips the region with temperatures rising to dangerous levels

Take a look at the list below to find a cooling center near you. (click to continue)