Search Results

You searched for “safe and stable families”

Amber Alert: A Very Happy Outcome

Jenni Stolarski, Safe Families Office alum and DeKalb County Chief Assistant Solicitor-General, posted the following text on her Facebook page following the recent Amber Alert, and she was kind enough to let us share it with you. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did! “A very happy outcome for the Amber Alert that went out last week. So proud of the work our office, the Doraville Police Department, and the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Found…

From Abuse to Safety and Security

Patricia came to the Safe Families Office as a last resort. Her husband’s jealousy and controlling behavior had reached a breaking point, and she wasn’t sure what to do. She told our staff that he was obsessed with her and her phone – going so far as to repeatedly call her at work to verify that she was there, texting her from the next room to check up on her, and placing tracking devices on her car. She tried to shield their son, but her husband…

Challenges and Support When Seeking a Temporary Protective Order

…o take her first step toward legal protective action, she visited the AVLF Safe Families Office in the Fulton County Courthouse. With AVLF’s assistance, she secured an ex parte order that gave her immediate protection from her ex-boyfriend for 30 days. AVLF then referred her case to Jones Day. AVLF remained closely involved by providing specific training and materials on the legal landscape and the results of AVLF’s experiences with clients in sim…

Domestic Violence in Custody Matters – What Judges and GALs Need to Know

…ng and nuanced topic, and understanding how to make decisions and recommendations that ensure the safety and well-being of an entire family is a formidable task. This class will discuss a range of topics that can help steer decision-makers and investigators towards safe and sound recommendations for children in families where intimate partner violence is alleged. Topics will include best practices and common pitfalls in practice, the neuroscience…

Audrey Bergeson

…ogram serves survivors of domestic violence, who have been assisted by the Safe Families Office, with their long-term family law legal needs. As the Family Law Program Staff Attorney, Audrey manages the program, provides direct client representation, and pairs clients with experienced family law attorney volunteers. Prior to joining AVLF, Audrey practiced family law as an associate with Smith & Lake, LLC. Before practicing with Smith & Lake, Audre…

If I’d Had AVLF

…at my school? I was able to get my GED, thankfully—but my circumstances could have been a lot different if we had an attorney to stand with us. It was an honor to volunteer with an organization like AVLF that is helping other families—and children—live safe and healthy lives. We’re grateful to all of the volunteers from Coyote Logistics who helped out at our job and resource fair this month – and to the volunteer who contributed this article. 1261…

AVLF Brings the All-Star Awards to the Fox Theater!

…Ad Litem Program Volunteer of the Year « Adam Hames (The Hames Law Firm) – Safe Families Office Volunteer of the Year « Burney & Reese – Family Law Program Firm of the Year « Ana Stanfield & Atlanta Legal Aid Society’s Downtown Family Law Unit – Standing with Survivors/Social Work Advocacy Program Partner of the Year « Dr. Jordan R. Murphy (Center for Interrelational Science and Pediatrics) – Community Support and Partnerships Partner of the Year…

Letter From Leadership: Serving Survivors with Integrity

[Content Warning: Descriptions of physical abuse] A letter from Safe Families Office Managing Staff Attorney Joel Correa. I can easily remember the first time I stepped into family violence court for the first time as an attorney. I was only five months into being a lawyer, and I was there to represent a young woman named Naomi who had immigrated to this country to marry a man who was significantly older than she. About three months after having…

AVLF Board Member Spotlight: Adria Perez

…atrick Townsend when she represented domestic violence victims through the Safe Families Office. Adria credits AVLF for teaching her how obtaining a protective order for a victim can create a ripple effect that will change the victim’s and the victim’s family’s future for the better. Recently, Adria received an email from a client for whom she helped obtain a protective order in 2007. The client wrote: “Things are going as good as can be…but the t…

Christen Ansuini

…the Buffalo Bills win a Superbowl (which is why she’s trying to exercise, eat well, and live a very long time). Managing Attorney, Safe Families Office cansuini@avlf.org…

For the first time in a decade, she can sleep peacefully.

…ren, as her husband was known to carry a weapon and abuse drugs. After the Safe Families Office provided initial assistance, volunteer attorney Karine Burney of Kessler & Solomiany saw Ms. G through the rest of her hearings. Through this process, Ms. G’s husband was ordered to cease all contact. And because custody was awarded to Ms. G, her husband can have no visitation with their children. Thanks to Karine and her dedication to survivors of dome…