About the Program
The EPIC program was designed to stabilize vulnerable families and individuals in Montgomery County who are facing eviction by providing them with free legal and social services support on the day of their eviction hearing
EPIC is a partnership between Montgomery Bar Association, Montgomery Bar Foundation, Montgomery County Office of Housing and Community Development/Your Way Home, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, Montgomery County Courts, the Montgomery County Foundation, and the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities.
The award-winning program emerged from the first annual Montgomery Bar Foundation Access to Justice Summit in 2017 and launched in January 2018 as a pilot program in Judge Margaret Hunsicker's Magisterial District Court (38-1-16 - Part of Borough of Norristown) to tremendous success. In its first year alone, the program helped to prevent 85% of potential evictions with the assistance of 20 different pro bono attorney volunteers serving 267 volunteer hours.*
The tremendous success of the pilot program and the continued support of the participating organizations have allowed EPIC to expand significantly and is now available in the following Magisterial District Courts:
Norristown
- Hon. Denise Asche (38-1-15)
- Hon. Margaret Hunsicker (38-1-16)
- Hon. Francis J. Lawrence, Jr. (38-2-09)
Pottstown
- Hon. Edward C. Kropp, Sr. (38-1-12)
- Hon. Scott T. Palladino (38-1-11)
Lansdale
- Hon. Edward J. Levine (38-1-28)
Jenkintown
- Hon. Christopher J. Cerski (38-1-03)
East Norriton
- Hon. Marc A. Alfarano (38-1-01)
* According to Your Way Home of Montgomery County's EPIC Impact Report: Year One.
How You Can Help
If you are interested in volunteering once the need arises, or if you would like additional information about the program, please contact Denise Vicario at denise@montgomerybar.org or by phone at 610-279-9660.
