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Brianna & Jayden

Bay Area Legal Services (Florida)

Twins Brianna and Jayden spent the first year of their lives without stable housing. They had been living in motel rooms with their mother for some time when she called on her cousin, Jennifer Dukes, to care for the children. “They didn’t have anything,” Jennifer said of the neglect the twins experienced before being placed under her care. “Only thing they had was a shirt. They didn’t have shoes, socks, pants, bags, bottles, cups—nothing.” After several years passed, Jennifer’s cousin asked her to adopt the twins. While Jennifer was relieved, she did not feel ready to navigate the legal system on her own. She reached out to Bay Area Legal Services and was connected with an attorney who could represent her in the case. At age four, Brianna and Jayden’s adoption was finalized.

Matthew

Community Legal Aid (Massachusetts)

When he was 8 years old, Matthew’s public school district placed him in a private special education school in order to meet his unique socio-emotional needs. At first, he thrived in the new program, but by the fall of 2022, something was clearly amiss; the school was constantly calling Matthew’s guardian with reports of misbehavior, and he was even suspended. In February 2023, Matthew was effectively expelled from the school with no process or warning. Luckily, he was quickly enrolled in a new school, where he is receiving the support he needs and thriving as a result. However, his family was concerned by the school’s actions, eventually approaching Community Legal Aid for help. With the assistance of one of their attorneys, Matthew’s family filed a complaint with the state education agency against the school, resulting in an agreement that addressed his experience and ensured heightened oversight.

Tracy

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York

Tracy Love faced relentless domestic violence in her 20-year marriage, but when her husband began threatening her with weapons, she knew it was time to remove herself and their three children from the home. With the support of the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Tracy felt empowered to go to the police with evidence of her husband’s abuse, resulting in a stay-away order of protection. The next night, compelled by an unshakable hunch, Tracy gathered her and her children’s belongings and went to stay with her parents. “You cannot stay here, my gut said,” Tracy recalled later. “Whatever you do, you cannot stay here.” That night, Tracy’s husband returned to their home and burnt it to the ground, unaware that she and the children were staying elsewhere. In the wake of the fire, LASNNY supported Tracy as she sought legal protection from her husband and rebuilt her life. Thanks to LASNNY’s help, she received a five-year order of protection and sole physical and legal custody of her children.

Claire

Legal Aid of West Virginia

Claire was referred to Legal Aid of West Virginia through the 12-step program she completed in addiction recovery. She had lost custody of her two children and did not have the resources to pursue getting them back. After a lengthy recovery process, Claire’s attorney was eventually able to successfully advocate for the return of her visitation rights. Over time, Claire rebuilt her relationships with her children, and she now shares custody with her ex-husband. The help that Legal Aid of West Virginia offered enabled Claire to reestablish her life with stable income and access to quality housing. Claire says of her life now: “The relationship my kids have with each other is just love. Life is good. I’ll be driving to work sometimes, and I’ll feel like, ‘I can’t believe this is my life.’ I came from this person who didn’t have anything to where I am now.”

Eddie

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri

Eddie Fondren is a Vietnam Veteran who has been living in the St. Louis area for nearly six decades. When the property where Eddie was living changed owners, the new property manager gave him only four days’ notice of a more than 34% rent increase with no related upgrades to the property. When Eddie tried to advocate for himself, the rental company promised to make repairs only after he started paying the increased rent. On a fixed social security income, his options were limited and he was facing eviction. He reached out to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) for assistance. LSEM attorneys and staff helped him negotiate with his landlord to avoid homelessness, and he was ultimately able to move into more stable housing. Eddie says of LSEM: “I guess some of us need that type of help. I know I did, and I thank the Lord and thank their organization. I’m so grateful.”