Bankruptcy Program ‘Project Bounce Back’ to Assist Financially Strapped Residents
County's Community Legal Services Partners with Latino Economic Development Center
Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County, Inc. (CLS) and the Latino Economic Development Center (LED) recently announced the launch of “Project Bounce Back” which kicks off on March 23.
The program will focus on Prince George’s County residents who are facing or have recently filed a Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy for financial relief. Applications are now being accepted and can be found at the two agencies’ websites.
During the six-month financial and legal education course, participants will receive practical tips and advice on understanding their finances. Program benefits include:
One-on-one credit counseling
Free legal advice and referrals
Budgeting tips and tools
CLS’s mission is to provide education, advice and/or representation to low-income litigants in civil legal matters in Prince George’s County. Their goal remains to promote equal access to justice by providing access to free legal services through their legal advice clinics, mobile legal services and pro bono referral program.
LEDC’s goal is to drive the economic and social advancement of low- to moderate-income Latinos and other underserved residents in the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia by equipping them with the skills and tools to achieve financial independence and become leaders in their communities.
CLS will coordinate the project and provide legal advice and LEDC will serve as consultants for the project providing financial coaching personnel and education for participants.
Funds for this inaugural program come from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation. The Foundation promotes the ends of justice through educational and charitable activities and focuses on bankruptcy and insolvency. They award grants to legal services organizations whose mission and activities are consistent with their mission of fostering the institution and maintenance of legal aid facilities for the indigent.
Here’s more information about the services provided by CLS:
CLS Website: https://www.clspgc.org/
CLS Programs
LAWYER REFERRAL PROGRAM
Our Lawyer Referral Program provides legal representation to qualified clients. Clients are screened for income eligibility and the facts of the case are reviewed. Assistance is provided in cases involving: divorce, custody, child support, visitation, domestic violence, guardianship, foreclosure prevention, wills, landlord/tenant, unpaid wages, tort defense, bankruptcy, and other non-fee-generating civil legal matters. An application fee (currently $25) will be charged for processing of the application to be referred to a volunteer lawyer. Staff members speak English and Spanish.
240-391-6370 • MD Relay 800-735-2258; Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROGRAM
Our Foreclosure Prevention Project assists homeowners and tenants in foreclosure. Our services are free of charge! We assist eligible homeowners with loan modification, mediation and negotiations, foreclosure defense and post-foreclosure cases, homeowner and tenant eviction proceedings, and other legal actions that may provide relief from foreclosure.
240-391-6370 ext. 2; Monday – Friday – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
BANKRUPTCY PROGRAM
Our Bankruptcy Program provides legal representation in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cases.
240-391-6370 • MD Relay 800-735-2258; Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WELLNESS PROGRAM
Our Domestic Violence Wellness Program provides survivors of violence with comprehensive legal advice and representation for all their civil needs. Survivors with legal needs will be identified and assessed by a staff attorney with representation provided as needed.
240-391-6370 • MD Relay 800-735-2258; Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
FAILURE TO PAY RENT TENANT REPRESENTATION PROGRAM
Our Failure to Pay Rent Tenant Representation Program provides free same-day legal representation to income-eligible tenants facing eviction in Hyattsville District Court.
240-391-6370; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
