Let's See If We Can Help, Inc.
P.O. Box 8462 Philadelphia, PA. 19101 215-665-8285
www.letsseeifwecanhelp.org letsseeifwecanhelpinc@gmail.com
Welcome to the official website for
Let's See If We Can Help, Inc.
.Upcoming Events
Iris M Henry-Aiken Executive Director
Master Photography for Dancing with the Stars of Philadelphia
courtesy of
'Paul Lewis Photography'
of Philadelphia
Tangled Deed, Property Rights
and
Estate Planning Workshops
If you would like us to conduct a free workshop for your church, organization or community, please give us a call at 215-665-8285
First place winners Dexter Carter & Chi Chi Enigwe
Contestants Mark Brown Barnes and Andreanna Miller
Congratulations to all our 2017 'Dancing with the Stars' of Philadelphia contest winners
We would like to extend a very, very special thank you to
Philadanco
for all of the amazing support they have provided over all the years of our 'Dancing with the Stars' of Philadelphia fundraiser.
We owe our success and continued growth to you
Ms. Joan Myers-Brown
and
Ms. Kim Bears-Bailey
Contestants Fredi Hale and Daniel Palladino
Contestants Roberta Griffin and Eli Alfau
Showcase-'HEART CRY' the Pros
Showcase Tango-Natasha Frazier and Gentlemen
Contestants LeVon Foreman and Amani Ball
Showcase 'Ladies Rule' DWTS of Philadelphia Alum Jordyn Postell, with Amani Ball, Natori Blackman, Jaszmin Burton, Allyia Nellons, Amaiya Walker, I'esha Wood
Contestants Denise Ann Smith and Asa Wells
Contestants Whitney Price and Jaszmin Burton
Group Dance with DWTS Alum; Sarah Shaw-Thomas, Yolanda Nicholson, Bonnie Johns and Cheryl Talib
Contestants Linda C Smith and William Isaac Bridges
Contestants Stephanie Espejo and William Isaac Bridges
Congratulations to the 2018 Dancing with the Stars of Philadelphia
contest winners
The winners circle- From left to right: Third place winners, Eli Alfau and Roberta Griffin, First Place winners Denise Ann Smith and Asa Wells, and Second Place winners, Stephanie Espejo and William Isaac Bridges
2018
Dancing with the Stars of Philadelphia
in photos
Judges Mr. Wayne David, Ms. Sarah Shaw-Thomas and Mr. Otis Lee Clark
Left to right: Producer Ms. Kim Bears-Bailey, volunteer, Ms. Linda Townsel and Ms. Olivia Stoner, Esquire
L to R: Kim Bears-Bailey, Linda Townsel, Olivia Stoner, Bonnie Johns,Cheryl Talib, Yolanda Nicholson, Iris Henry
Board Members, Left to right: Bonnie Johns, Cheryl Talib, Yolanda Nicholson, Iris Henry
Host Clarence Miller and Hostess Jenice Armstrong
Contestants Stephanie Espejo and William Isaac Bridges featuring Nia Bailey and Asa Wells
Guests enjoying line dancing during intermission
A few helpful pointers to reference when someone dies
Death is a hard pill for most of us to swallow, but each of us will one day have to do it. The key to a smooth transition and easing the burden on your loved ones is preparation. The death of a person can be a very stressful time and often makes it difficult for family and friends to think clearly and concentrate on some of the estate issues that have to be attended to. Whenever possible, it is best to obtain as much information as possible from the soon-to-be decedent about their final wishes, any assets, liabilities and/or other business-related matters that will need to be attended to after their death. Always attempt to know the person’s final arrangement wishes. Though I have not attempted to place the following points in a logical sequence, nor is it complete, some will be highlighted with a (*) to note their level of priority and all should be helpful. Remember that there are people out there that prey on the deceased and their families to make claim to unentitled assets. Avoid hasty decisions and distributions, as this process can take anywhere from six months to years to complete.
•
Find out if the person had a medical or advance directive*
Find out if the person had a medical or advance directive*•Notify close family members and friends and if known, their pastor, attorney and /or accountant
Notify close family members and friends and if known, their pastor, attorney and /or accountant•Get legal pronouncement of death and arrange to receive multiple copies of death certificate as soon as possible*
Get legal pronouncement of death and arrange to receive multiple copies of death certificate as soon as possible*•Arrange transportation of the body to proper authorities or party*
Arrange transportation of the body to proper authorities or party*•Secure the persons home directly or through friends and family. Notify police if home will be vacant.
Secure the persons home directly or through friends and family. Notify police if home will be vacant.•Notify social security office, banks, insurance companies, benefits departments, income sources, utility companies*
Notify social security office, banks, insurance companies, benefits departments, income sources, utility companies*•If employed, contact person’s place of employment. Ask about employee benefits
If employed, contact person’s place of employment. Ask about employee benefits•Make funeral or cremation arrangements if requested
Make funeral or cremation arrangements if requested•If person belonged to military, church or other known organizations contact them for notification
If person belonged to military, church or other known organizations contact them for notification•Check to see if person has life insurance policies, bank accounts, a will, a trust, titles (i.e., car or house) *
Check to see if person has life insurance policies, bank accounts, a will, a trust, titles (i.e., car or house) *•Check to see if person left important papers behind relevant to death such as a will, trust documents or insurance policies*
Check to see if person left important papers behind relevant to death such as a will, trust documents or insurance policies*•Contact the local Office of Probate for more directives
Contact the local Office of Probate for more directives•If necessary, authorized person should open estate bank account
If necessary, authorized person should open estate bank account•Try to locate such things as taxes, deeds, bank and investment records, insurance policy, death, birth and marriage certificates, possible estranged spouse and children, trust docs, debts, income sources, safe deposit boxes, computer and phone passwords
Try to locate such things as taxes, deeds, bank and investment records, insurance policy, death, birth and marriage certificates, possible estranged spouse and children, trust docs, debts, income sources, safe deposit boxes, computer and phone passwordsSome of the Philadelphia area city and state offices you may want to contact:
Prothonotary Office Department of Deeds and Records Inheritance Tax
City Hall Room 262 City Hall Room 154 City Hall Room 177
215-686-6665 215-686-2292 215-686-2918
Register of Wills Department of Revenue PA Vital Records Dept.
City Hall Room 180 MSB 15th JFK Blvd., Ground Floor 110 N. 8th St., Philadelphia
215-686-6255 215-686-9200 215-560-2056
What is a "Tangled Title"? It is ownership or possession of property that does not have a clear title or legal ownership. What this means is that the ownership of the property, such as a home or real estate is not confirmed or definite and may be questionable. In these situations, ownership can be challenged, as in legal proceedings to determine who is the rightful owner. These situations can be quite costly and time consuming to resolve.
Estate Planning - Is the act of planning or forming a legal directive as to what happens with you and your assets once you pass away. When that happens, everything you own or owe becomes part of what is called your estate. In your directive, you state who you would like to carry out your final wishes and settle your final affairs. If you fail to leave a will or set up an estate plan, your assets fall into the hands of the state and has to be probated by the courts.
NBC 10 highlights the widespread problem of fraudulent deed transfers leading to stolen property in Philadelphia
Print copy of 'A few helpful pointers to reference when someone dies'
Print a copy of our handout brochure
Watch as NBC Investigative reporter George Spencer uncovers the ugly side of property theft in some of Philadelphia's hottest neighborhoods
Journalist Craig R. McCoy explores the crisis in two articles detailing Philadelphia's deed problem
Read Me
Print two very helpful documents provided by Estate Attorney Ms. Olivia Stoner of Stoner Law Offices
Let’s See If We Can Help, Inc. is a 501 ©(3) non-profit organization incorporated in 2008 whose main mission is to empower lower income Philadelphia residents by providing information and education through financial literacy related initiatives designed to change negative behaviors that adversely impact the economic circumstance of their lives and communities. We do so by providing financial literacy classes and related workshops for both adults and youth through our library, school and recovery program curriculum and helping to inform, assist and educate the adults in matters pertaining to tangled deeds, estate planning and property rights. For adults, we emphasize the importance and impact of good estate planning by offering guidance as it relates to the process. For youth, adults and parents, we address the need and instillation of good money management skills for higher quality of life experiences and expectations. We also reach out to the community to provide help and sponsorship when and where possible. We strongly believe that it should be part of our commitment to be involved and to offer continued support through such additional programs as our “Get Ready to Set Sail” Program, which offers unexposed youth the opportunity to learn and become active and experienced in sailing, our “MLK Day Project”, which assists an individual, family, community or non-profit with needed improvements to their home or primary location and our “Dancing with the Stars” of Philadelphia annual fundraiser which offers advanced dance arts students in the Philadelphia area the opportunity to hone and showcase their talents while participating as trainers/ contestants in our highly anticipated competition.
Fall 2019
Workshop Series
Free
Tangled Deed, Estate Planning,
Property Rights and Tax Workshop
Saturday 9/21/2019 10:30 am -12:30 pm
Blackwell Regional Library
125 S. 52nd St
Philadelphia, PA. 19139
Saturday 9/28/2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Fumo Family Library
2437 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19148
Saturday 10/5/2015 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
West Oak Lane Library
2000 E. Washington La.
Philadelphia, PA. 19138
Saturday 10/12/2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Queen Memorial Library
1201 S. 23rd St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19146
Saturday 10/19/2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Logan Library
1333 Wagner Ave.
Philadelphia, PA. 19141
Saturday 11/9/2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
1939 W. Venango St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19140
If you have deed transfer or estate planning problems or issues, this is the session for you. Come out and get answers to your questions and resolutions to your problems directly from representatives from the local agencies and organizations relevant to your issues. Meet with a Philadelphia Department of Revenue representative, estate attorney, The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, and City of Philadelphia Office of Deeds and Records as well as the city's OIT Department.
Contestants Joseph Caraway and Leilani Hines
Guests enjoying line dancing during intermission
Showcase Dance 'Saint Honey' Choreographed by William Isaac Bridges
'The Pros'
Contestants LeVon Foreman and Simone Gadlin with Pro Marionia Jones
Contestants Kelsey Holley and Keith Ellison
Contestants Barbara Billups and William Isaac Bridges
Contestants Stephanie Espej'o and William I. Bridges
2019 Winners from left to right: Second place Stephanie Espej'o and William I. Bridges, First place Keith Ellison and Kelsey Holley, Third place LeeAne Huggins and Paris Gray
Congratulations
2019 Dancing with the Stars of Philadelphia
Contest Winners
Judges
Marlisa Brown Swint, Otis Lee Clark and Sarah Shaw-Thomas
Contestants Lynda Penn and Stanley Morrison
Showcase - 'A Tribute' Will and his Ladies
William Isaac Bridges with Nyna Moore, Kelsey Holley, Amanda Boyer and Marionia Jones
Ms. Kim Bears-Bailey, Choreographer, Director and Producer and Iris Henry
Contestants Stanley Morrison and Monique Streat
Contestants David Lipscomb and Simone Gadlin
Board and committee members from left to right:Frederica Hale, Bonnie Johns, IrisHenry,Yolanda Nicolson, Cheryl Talib, Darnita Clark
Volunteer workshop panelist, Board members and event committee members from left to right:Linda Townsel, Attorney Olivia Stoner, Frederica Hale,Bonnie Johns, Iris Henry, Yolanda Nicholson, Cheryl Talib, Darnita Clark and Attorney Shabrei Parker
Audience Bop Contest winners Chris and Carol Miller
Host and Hostess Clarence Miller and Ms. Jenice Armstrong
Contestants LeeAne Huggins and Paris Gray
Showcase - 'Working It' - The Pros
Featuring Kelsey Holley, Amanda Boyer, Simone Gadlin, Marionia Jones, Nyna Moore and Leilani Hines
'The Opening' - 'Introduction'
Stars and Pros featuring Nia Bears-Bailey
Group Dance featuring Amanda Boyer, Nia Bears-Bailey and Nyna Moore
'Full - Out'
Dancing with the Stars of Philadelphia 2018
Dancing with the Stars of Philadelphia 2019
Dance featuring Amanda Boyer Nia, Bears-Bailey & Nyna Moore
Special Thanks to the following for their generous donations to
Dancing with the Stars of Philadelphia 2019
The Cheesecake Factory
Talbot's
Outback Steakhouse
Grand Luxe Cafe
Ross Stores
Home Depot
Brown's Shoprite
Fresh Grocer
Fresh Market
Join us for MLK Day 2020
Visit us at our booth at
Girard College
2101 S. College Ave.
Philadelphia, PA. 19121
Monday January 20, 2020
8:00 a.m. to Noon
Schedule a workshop
Set up a financial literacy class
Find out about new initiatives
Spring 2020
Workshop Series
Free
Tangled Deed, Estate Planning,
Property Rights and Tax Workshop
Joseph Coleman Branch
Free Library of Philadelphia
68 W. Chelten Ave.
Philadelphia, PA. 19144
February 29, 2020
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
West Philadelphia Senior
Community Center
1016 N. 41st St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19104
March 14, 2020
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Widener Branch
Free Library of Philadelphia
2808 W. Lehigh Ave.
Philadelphia, PA. 19132
March 28, 2020
11:00 am - 1:00 am
St. Matthews A.M.E. Church
215 N. 57th St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19131
April 11, 2020
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Vine Memorial Baptist Church
5600 W. Girard Ave.
Philadelphia, PA. 19131
April 25, 2020
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
If you have deed transfer or estate planning problems or issues, this is the session for you. Come out and get answers to your questions and resolutions to your problems directly from representatives from the local agencies and organizations relevant to your issues. Meet with a Philadelphia Department of Revenue representative, estate attorney, The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, and City of Philadelphia Office of Deeds and Records as well as the city's OIT Department.
I think most people would agree that 2020 has brought about some of the biggest uncharted situations of our life times. From the revelation of what I call a "wanna be" dictator with no leadership skills, an economic freeze that hangs us out to dry, brought on by a disease that has literally brought us to our knees and unparalleled civil unrest, worldwide. This because people like me almost feel like unwilling witnesses to a murder. It gives me a strange feeling like being not just a witness but an accomplice. A murder carried out not only in front of me, but by a man who thought so little of me he dared me to say or do anything about it. If this was not a lynching, I don't know what is. For me, it brought on the feeling of guilt that comes with, "If I coulda, woulda, shoulda" or "If only I had known". And yet, this felt like I was watching my brother, and a part of me died with him. Was there anything I could have ever done before it got to this point. It's hard to stay on point when these types of situations are happening all around you. What I do know it that it cannot continue.
That being said, and life interrupted, my mission to bring basic financial literacy to those most in need and affected by lack thereof, is stronger than ever. When I witness people downtrodden enough to first of all loot, then to target a sneaker store or a game store as their priority, it drills into my head, like a jack hammer, how some priorities are so very wrong. Clearly with so little to gain, they feel they have nothing to lose.
It's hard to know what to say or do in some situations, but trying to stay focused and true to our mission, while trying to normalize a new way of doing things and staying quiet is in itself a killer to me. With so many fronts that we must fight on at this time, I offer up the one area of my expertise in hopes that it helps at least somewhere down the line. Right now, we are unsure, how, where and when our "Tangled Deed, Property Rights and Estate Planning" workshops will resume, but I assure you that they will resume. We will keep you posted once we have things sorted out. In the meantime, please introduce your children to lessons in financial literacy. Below, I have placed a link to my "Financial Literacy Basics" website, where you can take advantage of free interactive lessons for your children. These lessons are written for and tailored specifically for young people usually not yet exposed to the value of making sound financial decisions and sometimes otherwise. Please take the time to learn and enjoy with your young people, and If you have any questions, concerns, comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact me using the information on any of our web pages.
Last Virtual
'Tangled Deed, Property Rights , Estate Planning Workshop' of 2020
November 11, 2020
6:30 - 830 pm
Held Virtually on Zoom
Register now
If you have deed transfer or estate planning problems, questions or issues, this is the session for you. Join us via Zoom get answers to your questions and resolutions to your problems directly from representatives from the local agencies, departments and organizations relevant to you. Meet with various Philadelphia Department representatives, an attorney, The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, and The Urban League of Philadelphia. Also, joining us for the first time will be
The Register of Wills Office.
We have our Winners!!!!
Tied for 1st place are Stephhanie Espejo & William Isaac Bridges and Joy Bender & Latik Jefferson
Tied for 2nd place are Norma Avery & William Isaac Bridges and LeeAne Huggins & Paris Gray
Tied for 3rd place are Jamillah Staten & Robert Pena, Deborah Stephens & Kingsley Ibeneche, Cheryl Bundy & William Isaac Bridges and Sarah Thomas &Alexander Hall
Congratulations to all or our 'Dancing with the Stars of Philadelphia 2020' Winners
Upcoming
workshop schedule
via Zoom
Saturday, February 13, 2021
11:00 am -1:00 pm
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
6:30 -8:30 pm
Saturday, March 13, 2021
11:00am -1:00 pm
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
6:30 -8:30 pm
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
6:30 -8:30 pm
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
6:30 -8:30 pm
Saturday, May 8, 2021
11:00 am -1:00 pm
Keith Ellison - Chairman
Chairman’s Statement:
The year 2020 marked a tumultuous period across the country. We were confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest, and a polarized political environment. Yet, as an organization we were able to make the necessary adjustments and deliver our services virtually, thus continuing our mission of providing financial literacy and educating the Philadelphia community on estate planning, untangling deeds, and property rights. All of this, which helps lead to the retention of, and assistance with building generational wealth, so desperately needed in low income communities. The need for the work we do intensified as so many residents have been adversely affected by economic conditions. As chairman of the board of directors, I am honored to be a part of an organization that helps position both young people as well as adults in lower income communities in Philadelphia achieve financial empowerment. We look forward to continued success and growth as we pivot and rise to meet the challenges in 2021 and beyond.
