A letter from Board President Adria Perez.

Friends,

It’s a new year for the AVLF personnel working in our main and twelve satellite offices throughout Atlanta. But, demand for our services has not waned. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated how families may not feel stable and safe in their own homes due to, among other things, intimate partner violence or critical home repairs. In a pandemic, home should be the one place that should provide stability and safety.

In June 2020, I virtually met a client on an early Saturday morning during the Saturday Lawyers Program.

Our AVLF team of experts that include lawyers, social workers and community advocates have been inundated with calls and requests for help since the pandemic began; while pivoting our programs and outreach, so that our AVLF team and volunteers can continue to support Atlanta’s families both physically and virtually.   

In June 2020, I virtually met a client on an early Saturday morning during the Saturday Lawyers Program.  I did not intend to take on the matter because I was already part of an all-female team of Kilpatrick Townsend lawyers and a paralegal that represented 14 families in a back-rent dispute.  But, I instantly connected with the client via Zoom.

The issues with her house and the endless stress associated with them affected her training.

She described how she came to Atlanta to try out for a female football league, and had signed a lease for a home in which she wanted to invest.  My client did not want a temporary living space, but a home of which she could be proud.  It turns out there were a myriad of issues with the house, including no heat or air conditioning during critical months of the year.  The issues with her house and the endless stress associated with them affected her training.   

When I met her in-person before the court-mandated mediation, I was so struck by her.  I learned more of her story during the long pauses in mediation.  She was almost a junior Olympian in shotput.  But, she was unable to temporarily move overseas for the training.   

We successfully resolved the matter at the very end of 2021.  I say “we” because she approached the matter like an athlete.  She was focused, prepared and resourceful.  You’ll see her on a football field soon.  She is too talented to be missed. 

Like any team, the deeper and broader our bench, the more wins and successes we can have.

So too are our AVLF professionals. You can find our lawyers, social workers and community advocates in ten Atlanta Public Schools as well as in the Housing Court Assistance Center and Safe and Stable Families Office in the Fulton County courthouse.  Soon, you’ll see our Safe & Stable Families mobile office.  Advocacy on wheels, but also (like with my recent client) via online.  Several of our programs continue to have virtual opportunities.   

Like any team, the deeper and broader our bench, the more wins and successes we can have. Please support our programs with your time and resources, including the: 

• Safe & Stable Families Office/Intimate Partner Abuse Program;
• Standing with our Neighbors Program;
• Housing Court Assistance Center Program;
• Saturday Lawyers Program;
• Guardian ad Litem Program; and
• Family Law Program. 

As we begin 2022, it is important to thank our AVLF professionals, our volunteers, Board directors, Leadership Council and Steering Committee members as well as our donors for all that you do for Atlanta’s families.  Together, we are continuing our winning streak; one family at a time.   

With gratitude,

Adria

Want to read other Letters From Leadership? They are an easy way to find out what drives us here at AVLF. You can find them all here.