…ay Lawyer Program is a great success – for those clients who can reach our office. But transportation challenges, health problems, family care responsibilities, and work schedules (among other reasons) keep some clients with strong cases from getting help from AVLF. AVLF volunteer Seun Adebiyi Now AVLF is beginning to venture out of our seventeenth-floor office suite at Peachtree Center and into the communities we serve, by holding occasional “pop…
…a disabled Marine veteran who had been abused by her husband. We met in my office to prepare for a hearing the following week. When I told her that she could meet me at my office and we could ride down to the hearing the following week, she told me how relieved she was. She explained that she was worried about court because she didn’t know how she was going to pay for parking. At that moment, I realized how fortunate I am and how much I take for g…
…al arts studio where he teaches martial arts to adults and children. 387 Office Manager jreading@avlf.org (678) 681-6010 6010 Jon is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (BA 1999) and lives in Decatur, Georgia. Jon has been employed in the non-profit sector since 2000. Jon joined the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation in 2013. In addition to his work, Jon also owns a small martial arts studio and teaches martial arts to adults and children. Off…
…as so high that I knew there was a problem. I asked the complex management office for help. Georgia Power sent someone out to do an audit. They found that my electric was using three times more power than it should be. Georgia Power wrote a letter telling my landlord that my electrical system needed to be immediately replaced or repaired. As the winter set in, my heat only worked occasionally. The apartment complex made a few attempts to repair th…
…actual 9/11. Until then, the world (at least my world) had been a normal, safe place. I remember tearfully gripping the phone and asking my dad, “Why is this happening?” I don’t remember what he said. No one had any answers. Here’s what I’ve discovered since then: Life isn’t fair. It’s chaotic and unforgiving and we have to find order and justice where we can. Feeling helpless and desperately needing to be part of something meaningful, I signed u…
…duce emails and increase more direct communication, we will be rolling out Office Hours with Crystal. Every other week, volunteers can drop in at any point during the 1-hour duration to hear about available cases, ask questions about an active case they’re working, or learn about other ways to help tenants facing eviction. This will allow attorneys to ask questions before committing to a case and provide an opportunity for attorneys to speak direc…
…Members of the Family Law Committee of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia are hosting the 10th Annual “Supreme Cork” wine tasting and silent auction. Again this year, the Supreme Cork fundraiser will be held at 5 Seasons Westside and will benefit AVLF’s Guardian ad Litem Program and the Safe Families Office. Learn more here….
…able to not only survive, but begin to recover, heal and thrive. The Safe Families Office staff helped me so much through the TPO process. Erika Voreh was so instrumental in getting the TPO granted. She was so sweet, even though I was still crying through my answers to her questions. At least there’s not this black cloud of dread and doom anymore. When my abuser was finally served at the house, it was very nerve-wracking. It took about a week—bu…
…Jamie Perez is the Director of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation’s Safe and Stable Families Project and oversees its domestic violence program. Kit Gruelle speaks to the challenges domestic violence survivors face after AVLF’s screening of Private Violence. The robust conversation continued at neighboring eatery Apres Diem late into the evening, and we hope and believe that the insights gained from participating in this close look will go…
…rt her and her children if she went to the police. Sophia came to the Safe Families Office and received a Temporary Protective Order. Andrew Thompson volunteered to represent her pro bono at her evidentiary hearing and landed her a Twelve-Month Protective Order that forces her boyfriend to finally leave the apartment – and to stay away for good. She texted Andrew to say thank you: “I made it. He did not follow. I’m locked in my car. Thank you for…
…ners! Guardian ad Litem Program Volunteer of the Year Patty Shewmaker Safe Families Office Volunteer of the Year Regina Edwards Family Law Program Firm of the Year Marple Rubin Family Law Standing with Survivors / Social Work Partner of the Year Housing Plus, Inc. SWON, Firm of the Year Award Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP SWON, Attorney of the Year Award Morgan E. M. Harrison, Arnall Golden Gregory LLP Standing with Our Neighbors Community Pa…
…occurring within seconds and death within minutes. In 2019, 49.8% of Safe Families Office clients reported at least one strangulation incident. This training is designed to provide additional information for volunteers interested or who already represent survivors in Civil Temporary Protective Order hearings. In this training, you’ll learn the legal definitions of common types of strangulation, mechanisms of action, lethality risk, common signs a…
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