In honor of National Volunteer Week 2010 Celebrating People in Action, the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network recognizes the thousands of volunteer lawyers who help those struggling with foreclosure, domestic violence, denial of benefits and other overwhelming legal problems.

Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. hosts PAProbono.net, Pennsylvania’s online portal for legal professionals looking to get involved in pro bono work. Millions of poor people face legal problems every year without an attorney, and a lack of resources forces legal aid organizations to turn away fully half of those who come to them seeking help. The legal profession’s strong tradition of pro bono work is often the only hope for people facing civil legal problems.

PAProbono.net is part of a national network of state portals created by Pro Bono Net, a leader in innovative programs that increase access to justice. Pro Bono Net has more than 60,000 members nationally who are committed to serving those in need. National Volunteer Week 2010 Celebrating People in Action (April 18-24) provides an opportunity to recognize them for their efforts.

Pro Bono Net’s online platform, which houses PAProbono.net, makes it easy for attorneys to get involved in pro bono work, saving them time and connecting them with opportunities, training events, mentors, and searchable libraries of practice resources they won’t find anywhere else.

Pro Bono Net also developed and maintains LawHelp.org, a nationwide network of legal information sites for consumers. PALawHELP.org, the Pennsylvania member of that network, provides local-based legal referrals, know-your-rights information and a variety of self-help tools to consumers in Pennsylvania.

Sponsored by Points of Light Institute and HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network, National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each subsequent year. This year there are thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week across the county.

With the one-year anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the creation of the Volunteer Generation Fund and the resonant call to serve from the President, this year will be even more energizing and inspiring.

Legal professionals wishing to get involved can search for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania using the Pro Bono Opportunities Guide on PAProbono.net located at http://www.paprobono.net/oppsguide. 

Legal professionals are also invited to join PAProbono.net at www.PAProbono.net, or other Pro Bono Net sites available at www.probono.net, to receive online support for their volunteer efforts.

More information on National Volunteer Week 2010 Celebrating People in Action can be found at www.handsonnetwork.org.