Your Next Friend

Let us be Your Next Friend.

"Prochein Ami"

is French for "Next Friend"

a New Form of Volunteer Advocacy

~ Helping Other Help Themselves ~

Advocacy for Family, Housing,

Legal & Medical issues

Specializing in Low-Income,

Minor & Senior clients

Guiding People to Confidence

through Knowledge & Information

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Serving Connecticut

and New England

Nationwide consultations available

No matter where you live,

we will point you in the right direction!

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Areas of Assistance:

Locate Doctors, Specialty Centers or other Medical Resources ~ Find Medicare plans and Insurance Agents ~ Provide Guidance in Landlord/Tenant Issues ~ Public Utility Matters ~ Housing Matters including Summary and Evictions ~ Locate Income-based Attorneys ~ Obtain Assistance from Local or State Ombudsmen ~ Provide Resources in Domestic Abuse or Violence Situations ~ Locate Food Pantries ~ Assist with DSS Benefit Applications ~ File Documents with Town, State or Court offices ~ and so much more...

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A "Per Prochein Ami", more often called "Prochein Ami" or PPA for short, is a Common Law term historically recognized by Legal and Court systems across the Nation.

"Prochein Ami" is also commonly known as "Next Friend" (wiki) in many States and Courts.

Prochein Ami (prochain ami, prochain amy, or proximus amicus) is a form of non-paid, non-licensed advocacy and assistance that comes in many forms - in person, over the phone, even via Skype or email.

While not really "new", it is a form of advocacy that not widely known, yet has existed and successfully used for over 100 years in this Country, previously finding its origin in England and Wales under the McKenzie Friend principle.

Before the Military Commission Act of 2006, detainees at Guantanamo Bay prison used Next Friend status to file many lawsuits. In addition, the group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has also had success using the Next Friend principle to sue on behalf of monkeys and other "helpless" animals.

Next Friend or Prochein Ami status can apply in many cases where those who cannot or do not know how to represent themselves, and cannot afford legal counsel or find appropriate support, need assistance that requires specialized areas of expertise.

However, in cases involving Minors and custody or abuse situations, Courts will often appoint a "Guardian ad Litem", or GAL, to act as an Attorney for a child.

Prochein Ami and Next Friend advocates are allowed to sue or bring cases to Courts on behalf of Plaintiffs, provide representation for Defendants, and are held fully-liable for competency and proficiency. Therefore, a Next Friend can be sued for providing incorrect information or guidance.

However, they are not allowed to provide legal advice or services in exchange for money, nor allowed to act as official Counsel in any Court.

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We do not act as an Officer of the Court.

We do not provide legal advice or counsel.

We do not accept money for our services.

We volunteer our services

and try to Pay-It-Forward.

We assist in locating resources

and navigating the "system".

We advocate for Women, Children, Families, Seniors and other parties, provide guidance and information, locate appropriate resources, assist with mediation, carry out administrative services, and sometimes even provide transportation for clients.

We help people find their voice against the system and those that attempt to oppress based on age, education, income, and more.

"Knowledge is Power"

~ Sir Francis Bacon

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Please Contact Us if you

or someone you know needs help.

We can help you help yourself!

Let us be Your Next Friend.

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Give someone a fish,

you feed them for a day.

Teach someone to fish,

they'll eat for a lifetime.