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SWON Staff Members Reflect on First School Year

…iling faces, even though they might not have food in the refrigerator or a safe place to sleep at night. Their home may be filled with leaks and mold, or maybe their parent just received an eviction notice. This is what we experience most days as we work in Forest Cove, a large apartment complex in the Southeast Atlanta neighborhood of Thomasville Heights. Children are resilient – their smiles and laughter are a testament to that. But these childr…

As the Violence Escalated, One Volunteer Put a Stop to It

…After the arrest, the Solicitor’s Office recommended that Ms. P visit the Safe Families Office. Jonathan Anderson, a solo practitioner with the Lawyers for Equal Justice, represented Ms. P and extended her original temporary protective order to 12 months. Through this hearing, Ms. P received control of the couple’s shared apartment. Jonathan was also able to ensure that her boyfriend had to go through substance abuse evaluation and complete famil…

He Did Not Follow

…to hurt 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…

Quarantined with Her Abuser

…apartment, terrified of her abuser. Jessie managed to sneak a call to the Safe Families Office, the courthouse-based walk-in clinic that we co-run with Partnership Against Domestic Violence. She told us everything: how she was barricading herself in different rooms of her apartment, terrified of her abuser. One day in early May, Jessie locked herself in the bathroom and connected to a video call. Our staff helped Jessie meet virtually with a Fult…

Board Member Spotlight: Stacey Turner

…a Volunteer Lawyers Foundation? I participated in a Domestic Violence (now Safe Families) training 10 years ago and was hooked. I had prior volunteer experience as a domestic violence crisis counselor, and AVLF offered a great opportunity to serve that community that was so close to my heart. Give us your best elevator pitch – what does AVLF mean to you? AVLF connects first-rate lawyers with clients in often desperate, immediate need, providing vo…

AVLF All-Star Awards 2020

…rd Winners 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 Communi…

11th annual Supreme Cork honored AVLF

…low-income households. AVLF’s Domestic Violence Program operates the Safe Families Office in conjunction with Partnership Against Domestic Violence. This program provides free legal and safety planning assistance to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. This program also trains and places volunteer attorneys to represent survivors of domestic violence at hearings regarding temporary protective orders. Plea…

He Said They Wouldn’t Believe Her

…t her, but she was always terrified to call the police. Her boyfriend, a retired police officer, always told her no one would believe her. But Ms. Laurens had recently begun fostering her grandchildren, and knew she had to get them away from his abuse. She visited the Safe Families Office ready to make a change. Thanks to dedicated and empathetic representation by Lindsey Hacker with Levine Smith Snider & Wilson, Ms. Laurens walked away from court…

Jill Schirling-Allison

…ces and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Georgia. Jill’s latest role was as the Managing Legal Advocate for the Partnership Against Domestic, where she co-ran the Safe Families office. Jill is also the former co-chair of the Fulton County Task Force. Community Advocate, Social Work & Advocacy Program jallison@avlf.org…

Our First Annual AVLF All-Star Event Honors 2020 Volunteers and Community Partners

…d winners! 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 Communi…

The Supreme Cork

…Members of the Family Law Committee of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia are hosting the ninth (9th) Annual “Supreme Cork” wine tasting and silent auction. This year’s Supreme Cork fundraiser will benefit the Guardian ad Litem Program and the Safe Families Office of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF)….