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HIV/AIDS Attorney Returns to Michigan Law Firm has Secrets for People with HIV/AIDS Michigan Advocates Exchange Reports Results Michigan Advocates Exchange to Close
Media Contact Kendra Kleber, (248) 591-0301, kkleber@positiveoutlook.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 2005 FERNDALE, Mich.-- Long-time HIV/AIDS attorney Kendra S. Kleber has common-sense suggestions for gay or HIV-positive employees who face uncomfortable situations at work. Kleber's suggestions, published today in "The Closet Door is Glass" on The Gay Financial Network, www.gfn.com, are less about legal rights than they are about the practicalities of working in a diverse and conservative setting. "Taking control and managing the problem before it becomes intolerable is key," said Kleber. "It is important to know and understand your rights, but it is just as important to keep your relationships intact and your options open." "The Closet Door is Glass" was first published on GFN in 2001, and is also available at Kleber's website, www.positiveoutlook.org. For more information, contact the Law Office of Kendra S. Kleber & Associates PLLC.
Media Contact Kendra Kleber, (248) 591-0301, kkleber@positiveoutlook.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 24, 2005 HIV/AIDS ATTORNEY RETURNS TO MICHIGAN FERNDALE, Mich.-- Long-time Michigan resident and HIV/AIDS attorney Kendra S. Kleber has returned to Ferndale after a several-month stay in western New York. Kleber assists people with HIV/AIDS on claims for Social Security disability benefits, and provides legal training and workshops on other related legal matters. "For several years, my professional mission has been to support and improve the quality of life and independence of people with HIV and AIDS by working with social service agencies across Michigan. I hope to continue that mission for many years to come," said Kleber, who has focused her law practice on HIV/AIDS-related issues since 1997. For more information, contact the Law Office of Kendra S. Kleber & Associates PLLC.
NEWS RELEASE From: KENDRA S. KLEBER & ASSOCIATES PLLC FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 17, 2004 LAW FIRM HAS SECRETS FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS BELLEVILLE, MICHIGAN. Nov. 17. "Social Security Secrets," one of only a few free guides to Social Security disability benefits on the internet, and the only guide specifically written for people with HIV/AIDS, has been updated and re-published. Originally produced by Michigan Advocates Exchange (MAX), a non-profit legal services agency, the guidebook has been edited by the original author, HIV/AIDS attorney Kendra S. Kleber. Kleber announced the immediate availability of the new guidebook on the website www.positiveoutlook.org through the law firm of Kendra S. Kleber & Associates. "This resource has proven to be popular with people all over the country. When MAX recently began the process of wrapping up its programs prior to closing, it became necessary to take this and other advocacy tools out of the public domain for re-evaluation and possible revision. There have been so many calls for 'Secrets' that re-releasing it became a priority." Michigan Advocates Exchange is closing because Kleber, President and Director of Legal Services at the Exchange, currently resides in western New York. Roughly 70% of Social Security disability applications are rejected initially, and 80% of those that are appealed are denied again. Kleber, who has represented clients in their disability claims for seven years, has developed strategies and Secrets to dramatically improve those odds for her clients. She shares those strategies during a two-hour training presentation based on Social Security Secrets. "The training is designed to help people prepare their own claims, and to help client advocates improve their effectiveness on behalf of all of their clients. It truly is a time-saver, for anyone who needs to understand and deal with the Social Security Administration's disability benefits programs," said Kleber. The Secrets guidebook specifically addresses people living with HIV/AIDS, but people with other disabilities will find the information useful. "In keeping with the missions of both MAX and my law firm to support and empower people living with HIV/AIDS, it is important that these advocacy Secrets be readily available to anyone who needs them," said Kleber. "And I love the idea that anyone who wants to learn these Secrets will learn more about HIV, even if that is not their personal disability." For more information or to schedule a Social Security Secrets training, contact Kendra S. Kleber. NEWS RELEASE From: MICHIGAN ADVOCATES EXCHANGE, INC. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 10, 2004 MICHIGAN ADVOCATES EXCHANGE REPORTS RESULTS BELLEVILLE, MICHIGAN. Nov. 10. Michigan Advocates Exchange (MAX) has reported the results of its four years of work for the State of Michigan, as of September 30. MAX, a nonprofit legal services agency, provides legal services and training on HIV/AIDS-related legal issues. Since 2000, MAX has been the only agency under contract to the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) to provide HIV/AIDS legal services on a statewide basis. MAX President Kendra S. Kleber announced today that during the four years of the MAX-MDCH contract, MAX represented 657 unduplicated clients on 837 matters; assisted 492 other people with technical assistance; and trained over 2765 people at HIV/AIDS legal trainings. Kleber said, "MAX helped clients win over $220,000 in retroactive disability benefits awards, and helped clients collect over $100,000 in litigation and settlements. MAX held state government agencies, human service providers, AIDS service organizations, health care providers, substance abuse treatment centers, universities, hospitals and more than one restaurant accountable for their unlawful actions and lack of proper policies in their dealings with people who are living with HIV/AIDS." The announcement comes in the wake of the decision by MAX's Board of Trustees to decline a continuation contract from the State of Michigan and MDCH. That contract, offered by MDCH in July, would have required significant staff cuts at the agency and eliminated the Legal Training Program. MAX continues to serve all remaining clients. For more information contact Kendra S. Kleber, President.
NEWS RELEASE From: MICHIGAN ADVOCATES EXCHANGE, INC. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2004 MICHIGAN ADVOCATES EXCHANGE TO CLOSE YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN. Sept. 10. Michigan Advocates Exchange, Inc. (MAX) which has provided HIV-related legal advocacy and legal training services since 2000, is closing September 30, 2004 according to Mary Cavanaugh Byers, Chair of the Board of Trustees. MAX's closing is due to increasing budgetary and salary requirements needed to continue outreach, education and advocacy for MAX's clients, which to date have numbered over 750. "After several weeks of research, discussion, and re-budgeting, the MAX Board has determined that, under the circumstances, we are unable to promise the same quality and quantity of HIV-specific legal services," said Byers. "The Board developed several alternative plans, but after consultation with the state Department of Community Health we decided to close the agency at the conclusion of the current state contract. MAX clients may be assured that each will receive the assistance that he or she needs, and that MAX has agreed to provide." For more information contact Kendra S. Kleber, President.
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