/ en /maryruth <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Maryruth: Building a Safer Future </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sierra-chacona…</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2026-02-02T11:25:02-05:00" title="Monday, February 2, 2026 - 11:25" class="datetime">Mon, 02/02/2026 - 11:25</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item">Maryruth Moore had already secured a protection order against her husband when she decided she wanted to permanently separate. She wanted a divorce and more importantly, custody of her four children.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-paragraph-types field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><div class="paragraph paragraph--text-and-image paragraph--text-and-image--default paragraph--type--text-and-image paragraph--view-mode--default align-left" id="meet-maryruth" data-title="Meet Maryruth"> <div class="paragraph--content"> <div class="paragraph--column"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/hero/public/2026-02/gettyimages-1406385873.jpg?itok=q0ttqFPI" width="500" height="500" alt="Maryruth and son" loading="lazy" class="image-style-hero"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph--column"> <h2>Meet Maryruth</h2> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-long-description field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Maryruth and her four children survived terrible abuse by her ex. After navigating the courts and securing a protection order on her own, she filed for divorce and custody of her kids. But the process quickly became overwhelming as her husband refused to cooperate, filing unnecessary paperwork and forcing her to relive past trauma. All the while, Maryruth and her children were living with disabilities caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Her brain injury made navigating the legal system especially challenging. She turned to Alaska ¿ìèÊÓƵ (A¿ìèÊÓƵ) for help. With their help, Maryruth secured her divorce, sole custody of her children, and protections around any contact with their father. But her attorneys didn’t stop there. A¿ìèÊÓƵ also helped her family protect their Medicaid eligibility so they could continue receiving the medical care they needed. Today, Maryruth and her children are safe and rebuilding their lives with stability and security.</p></div> </div> </div> <div class="text-respect fade-in-right"> <img src="themes/lsc/img/decor/respect.svg" alt> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--full-width-image-cta paragraph--full-width-image-cta--default paragraph--type--full-width-image-cta paragraph--view-mode--default" style="background-image: url('/sites/default/files/2026-02/gettyimages-1585630699.jpg');" id="domestic-violence-cases-are-rising-for-lsc-grantees." data-title="Domestic violence cases are rising for ¿ìèÊÓƵ grantees." data-original-title="Domestic violence cases are rising for ¿ìèÊÓƵ grantees."> <div class="paragraph--content"> <div class="full-width-image-cta__content"> <div class="field field--name-field-plain-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Domestic violence cases are rising for ¿ìèÊÓƵ grantees.</div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-long-description field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Since 2014, the number of cases involving domestic violence ¿ìèÊÓƵ grantees close has increased by 48%.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-double-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--call-to-action paragraph--call-to-action--default paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--default" id="call_to_action" data-title="call to action" data-original-title="call to action"> <div class="field field--name-field-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--link paragraph--link--default paragraph--type--link paragraph--view-mode--default" id="link" data-title="link" data-original-title="link"> <div class="field field--name-field-link field--type-link field--label-hidden field__item"><a href="https://lsc-live.app.box.com/s/jn2ijyk6vhsyenukcyhu2k47y73z6blf">Learn More About ¿ìèÊÓƵ's Commitment to Domestic Violence</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--double-cta paragraph--double-cta--default paragraph--type--double-cta paragraph--view-mode--default" id="learn-about-alaska" data-title="Learn About Alaska" data-original-title="Learn About Alaska"> <div class="paragraph--column"> <h2>Learn About Alaska</h2> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-long-description field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Learn about the civil legal needs impacting the state of Alaska.</p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Alaska%20State%20Icon%20%281%29.png" data-entity-uuid="619bd42c-320d-44c9-824d-1f8bc50d193a" data-entity-type="file" alt width="75" height="75" loading="lazy"></div> <div class="field field--name-field-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--call-to-action paragraph--call-to-action--default paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--default" id="call_to_action" data-title="call to action" data-original-title="call to action"> <div class="field field--name-field-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--link paragraph--link--default paragraph--type--link paragraph--view-mode--default" id="link" data-title="link" data-original-title="link"> <div class="field field--name-field-link field--type-link field--label-hidden field__item"><a href="/grants/our-grantees/alaska-state-profile">Learn About Alaska</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph--column"> <h2>Learn About Alaska ¿ìèÊÓƵ</h2> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-long-wysiwyg field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Learn about ¿ìèÊÓƵ grantee, Alaska ¿ìèÊÓƵ.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-secondary-cta field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--call-to-action paragraph--call-to-action--default paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--default" id="call_to_action" data-title="call to action" data-original-title="call to action"> <div class="field field--name-field-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--link paragraph--link--default paragraph--type--link paragraph--view-mode--default" id="link" data-title="link" data-original-title="link"> <div class="field field--name-field-link field--type-link field--label-hidden field__item"><a href="/grants/our-grantees/alaska-legal-services-corporation-program-profile">Learn About Lakeshore Legal Aid</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-client-stories field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field field--name-field-client-stories field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items field__tags"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/26" hreflang="en">Domestic Violence</a> <a href="/taxonomy/term/28" hreflang="en">Family Law</a> </div> </div> Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:25:02 +0000 sierra-chacona@lsc.gov 4762 at /our-impact/grantee-client-impact/monica-protected-domestic-violence <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Monica: Protected from Domestic Violence</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sierra-chacona…</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-03-31T16:51:38-04:00" title="Monday, March 31, 2025 - 16:51" class="datetime">Mon, 03/31/2025 - 16:51</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item">At 18-years old, a young mother escaped an abusive marriage with the help of ¿ìèÊÓƵ-funded legal aid, including a restraining order and free legal assistance to get sole custody of her son. </div> <div class="field field--name-field-paragraph-types field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><div class="paragraph paragraph--text-and-image paragraph--text-and-image--default paragraph--type--text-and-image paragraph--view-mode--default align-left" id="meet-monica" data-title="Meet Monica"> <div class="paragraph--content"> <div class="paragraph--column"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-oembed-video field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item"><iframe src="/media/oembed?url=https%3A//youtu.be/siijQS7GLBc%3Fsi%3DYAMnJjZXXBiTdmS3&amp;max_width=0&amp;max_height=0&amp;hash=CU28E_LKVMjPI2sshskw3g5vZ2E32FZXQ4AIwPnx3ic" width="200" height="113" class="media-oembed-content" loading="eager" title="PSLS Client Success: Monica's Story"></iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph--column"> <h2>Meet Monica</h2> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-long-description field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p><span class="TextRun SCXW67255231 BCX0 NormalTextRun" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;-webkit-user-drag:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;user-select:text;" data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US">Monica escaped a controlling and abusive relationship at a young age. After her husband attempted to strangle her, she decided to leave the marriage for the safety of herself and her young son. With the help of her parents and </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW67255231 BCX0" href="/node/3542" segoe ui target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW67255231 BCX0 NormalTextRun" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;-webkit-user-drag:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;user-select:text;" data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Prairie State Legal Services</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW67255231 BCX0 NormalTextRun" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;-webkit-user-drag:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;user-select:text;" data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US">' domestic violence hotline, she was able to get an order of protection and eventually divorce her husband. These legal victories allowed Monica to safely separate from the abusive relationship,&nbsp;gain sole custody of her child, and get a fresh start in life. </span><span class="EOP SCXW67255231 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--call-to-action paragraph--call-to-action--default paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--default" id="call_to_action" data-title="call to action" data-original-title="call to action"> <div class="field field--name-field-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--link paragraph--link--default paragraph--type--link paragraph--view-mode--default" id="link" data-title="link" data-original-title="link"> <div class="field field--name-field-link field--type-link field--label-hidden field__item"><a href="https://youtu.be/siijQS7GLBc?si=YAMnJjZXXBiTdmS3">Watch on YouTube</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="text-respect fade-in-right"> <img src="themes/lsc/img/decor/respect.svg" alt> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--full-width-image-cta paragraph--full-width-image-cta--default paragraph--type--full-width-image-cta paragraph--view-mode--default" style="background-image: url('/sites/default/files/2025-04/gettyimages-1629565359_0.jpg');" id="in-2023,-lsc-grantees-closed-158,253-cases-involving-domestic-violence.-" data-title="In 2023, ¿ìèÊÓƵ grantees closed 158,253 cases involving domestic violence. " data-original-title="In 2023, ¿ìèÊÓƵ grantees closed 158,253 cases involving domestic violence. "> <div class="paragraph--content"> <div class="full-width-image-cta__content"> <div class="field field--name-field-plain-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">In 2023, ¿ìèÊÓƵ grantees closed 158,253 cases involving domestic violence. </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-long-description field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p><span class="TextRun SCXW42150106 BCX0 NormalTextRun" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;-webkit-user-drag:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;user-select:text;" data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US">Civil legal aid is more effective than shelters or counseling services in reducing domestic violence. Access to legal representation plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and protection of survivors and their children.</span><span class="EOP SCXW42150106 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-double-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--call-to-action paragraph--call-to-action--default paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--default" id="call_to_action" data-title="call to action" data-original-title="call to action"> <div class="field field--name-field-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--link paragraph--link--default paragraph--type--link paragraph--view-mode--default" id="link" data-title="link" data-original-title="link"> <div class="field field--name-field-link field--type-link field--label-hidden field__item"><a href="https://lsc-live.app.box.com/file/1794847991380?s=jn2ijyk6vhsyenukcyhu2k47y73z6blf">Learn More About How ¿ìèÊÓƵ Helps Survivors </a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--double-cta paragraph--double-cta--default paragraph--type--double-cta paragraph--view-mode--default" id="learn-about-illinois" data-title="Learn About Illinois" data-original-title="Learn About Illinois"> <div class="paragraph--column"> <h2>Learn About Illinois</h2> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-long-description field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Learn about the civil legal needs impacting the state of Illinois.</p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/illinois%20map%20icon.png" data-entity-uuid="f19594a9-bb4b-4a30-ba2f-dd6e782c4471" data-entity-type="file" alt="illinois map" width="150" height="150" class="align-center" loading="lazy"></div> <div class="field field--name-field-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--call-to-action paragraph--call-to-action--default paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--default" id="call_to_action" data-title="call to action" data-original-title="call to action"> <div class="field field--name-field-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--link paragraph--link--default paragraph--type--link paragraph--view-mode--default" id="link" data-title="link" data-original-title="link"> <div class="field field--name-field-link field--type-link field--label-hidden field__item"><a href="/grants/our-grantees/illinois-state-profile">Learn About Illinois</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph--column"> <h2>Learn About Prairie State Legal Services</h2> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-long-wysiwyg field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Learn about the ¿ìèÊÓƵ grantee, Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS).</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-secondary-cta field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--call-to-action paragraph--call-to-action--default paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--default" id="call_to_action" data-title="call to action" data-original-title="call to action"> <div class="field field--name-field-call-to-action field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--link paragraph--link--default paragraph--type--link paragraph--view-mode--default" id="link" data-title="link" data-original-title="link"> <div class="field field--name-field-link field--type-link field--label-hidden field__item"><a href="/grants/our-grantees/prairie-state-legal-services-inc-program-profile">Learn About PSLS</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-client-stories field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field field--name-field-client-stories field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items field__tags"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/26" hreflang="en">Domestic Violence</a> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-state-or-territory field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/53" hreflang="en">Illinois</a></div> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 20:51:38 +0000 sierra-chacona@lsc.gov 4596 at