Success Stories
Angela's Story
Angela and her husband divorced years ago due to the impact of his substance abuse and domestic violence on their family and children. Now, Angela's ex-husband was threatening to get custody of their two young children. He had the ability to hire an attorney, while Angela did not. Angela contacted CWEALF's Community Advocate, who listened to her story and provided the necessary expertise to assist her. Meeting one-on-one with the Community Advocate helped Angela to sort out the facts of the case versus the empty threats. She explained to Angela the legal process for modifying custody and the types of documentation and information that would be useful for the court to make their final determination.
The Community Advocate continued to be available while Angela gathered information and strengthened her case. When the court day arrived, Angela was ready. She provided the court with the pertinent background information and was able to speak up in court about why placing the children in her ex-husband's custody was not in their best interests. When Angela left court that day, she still had primary custody of her two children and a new sense of what she could accomplish when provided with the appropriate tools.
Andrea's Story
Andrea was scared and frustrated. She was working full time, struggling to pay all her bills, buy groceries, and take care of her two young children, all on her own. Andrea knew that child support from her children's father would help make ends meet for her family. She called the state agency that handles child support to try to re-open her case. They quickly informed her that her case was closed and ended the conversation without giving her any explanations.
Not knowing what to do, or where to turn to, a friend recommended that Andrea call CWEALF. Andrea was nervous, but she dialed the number. CWEALF's Community Advocate answered her call.
The Community Advocate informed Andrea of her legal rights and what she needed to say to the agency. This helped Andrea realize that she had the power to make the agency re-open her case, or give her an explanation for the closure. Andrea called the state agency back and was able to advocate for herself effectively. The next day, Andrea called the Community Advocate to thank CWEALF and say that she felt better knowing that she could stand up for herself and her two girls.
Judith's Story
Judith was living in a nursing home. She was married to a man who physically abused her, and even though she was now separated from him, it was important to Judith to have the divorce finalized. Bedridden, seriously ill, and with no family nearby, Judith had no way to get to court to proceed with her case and sign the necessary papers. Without a personal phone in her room at the nursing home, she had to rely on the busy nursing home staff to help her make calls and take messages. All Judith really needed was an attorney to represent her and finish the case.
With an income of only $54 a month, an attorney seemed impossible! As time went by, Judith became increasingly depressed believing that she would never get her divorce and thus, an emotional recovery from the abuse she had suffered in the past.
Judith learned about CWEALF from a fellow resident at the nursing home. The next opportunity she had to make a phone call, she contacted CWEALF's I&R Service. After hearing Judith's situation, a Community Advocate contacted one of CWEALF's referral attorneys. The attorney immediately investigated Judith's case and was able to find her an attorney that would work for free to help her obtain her divorce. Judith was overjoyed that CWEALF helped fix her impossible situation.
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