DC VOLUNTEER LAWYERS PROJECT

BRINGING JUSTICE HOME

Elena, a legal immigrant, had initially agreed to date her boss because she was afraid she would lose her job if she refused. He raped her and a child was conceived. When Elena refused to continue the relationship, the abuser sent her text messages threatening her life. When she went to court seeking a civil protection order, he warned that if she did not withdraw the petition he would contact immigration authorities and incriminate her. When Elena refused to withdraw the petition, he filed his own petition against Elena, falsely claiming she had abused him and a suit for custody of Elena’s children. DCVLP lawyers got Elena a civil protection order, revoked the abuser’s rights to visit their child, and ordered him to undergo drug and domestic violence counseling.

Two DCVLP volunteers represented a two year old girl whose parents were 17 and 18 years old, had dropped out of high school and were unemployed. The volunteers assisted the mother in getting food stamps and enrolling her child in Medicaid. DCVLP also helped the parents receive their GEDs. When their child turned three, DCVLP helped them locate a Head Start program.

Another DCVLP client moved from a domestic violence shelter to transitional housing. Unfortunately, her abusive husband discovered her location and began stalking her and her two children. DCVLP volunteers representing Ms. Smith helped her move to another transitional housing unit. We also helped Ms. Smith locate another school for her two children.

DCVLP volunteers represented Ms. Jones in a case to adopt a child, age 8, who had been abandoned to her care as an infant by his drug-abusing mother. As a result of in utero exposure to drugs, the child has developmental delays. The DCVLP made special education services accesible to Ms. Jones for her child.

Two DCVLP volunteers represented three young children in a custody dispute between their deaf parents. Their mother could neither speak nor read lips; therefore, she and her children were unable to communicate. DCVLP found the family a free program where the children could learn sign language and the mom could be trained to speak and read lips.

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