Stories of Justice

 Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (ALSC)

“Judith”

After Judith’s work hours were reduced, she was left to support four children on only $400 a month, barely enough to cover just the rent. Unable to pay rent for the first time in six years, she sought help from the public housing authority, but her landlord filed for eviction and gave only five days’ notice instead of the required 30. Our housing law attorney intervened, preventing the eviction and convincing the judge to rule in Judith’s favor. This saved court costs, stopped further income loss, and allowed Judith’s family to remain in their home.

“Fran”

Fran needed to move to a safer neighborhood to raise her two great-grandchildren after their parents could no longer care for them. She came to ALSC for help securing guardianship, which would also allow her to access affordable housing assistance. Our attorney filed the necessary paperwork, including an in forma pauperis affidavit, since Fran could not afford the costs. The court approved the guardianship, enabling Fran to obtain reduced rent and create a better environment for her family.

Disability Rights Louisiana (DRL)

“Clark”

Clark was born with a disability that affects how he communicates and walks. “When he was little, he made so much progress with ABA therapy—he was learning how to speak and express his emotions,” his grandmother recalls. “But once he started elementary school, everything changed. He was mistreated by the school, to the point where his speech regressed. He came home with bruises. It just broke my heart.”

His grandmother initially tried to address these issues on her own. However, when faced with a room of individuals representing the only school’s interests, she quickly realized she needed DRLA’s help to fight for her grandson. Over the years, DRLA partnered with Clark and his grandmother to advocate for him in crucial areas and we ensured that the school reinstated his ABA therapy. After learning that the student was going for weeks without instruction from a teacher, DRLA ensured that he was provided with appropriate educational services by teachers and paraprofessionals who were trained to support him. DRLA insisted that the school to install cameras in a classroom so that they could identify and prevent the abuse Clark was regularly experiencing at the hands of his classmates, when he was left unattended. When he incurred an injury, we ensured the school installed a ramp so he could access his classroom and sent an accessible school bus to help the student get to and from school. DRLA has been our saving grace,” Clark’s grandmother says. “Every time an attorney showed up for us, it was a weight off my chest. I knew Clark would be okay.”

Eden Center

“Grace’s” story in her own words

“When I first came to Eden Centers, I was broken in ways I didn’t even understand yet. Most of my life, the people who were supposed to care for me failed me. It made it hard to trust that anyone could really support me — without hurting me, leaving me, or giving up on me. I always carried this lingering fear that the security I found would be ripped right from under me, like it always had before. But when I got to Eden, it was different. Even when I had emotional reactions, or when I was trying to figure out how to feel safe again, no one ever threatened my place to stay. No one ever made me feel like I had to earn the right to be cared for. They met me with compassion, patience, and understanding every single time. And that consistency… it started to heal something deep inside me. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe — not just physically, but emotionally. Eden wasn’t just a shelter. It was a place where I could finally breathe. Having something as simple as clean clothes, toiletries, and basic necessities waiting for me meant everything —because so many women come into the shelter with nothing. And those small things spoke volumes. It said, “You matter. You’re not forgotten.” That’s why I call Eden Centers the soul hospital. Because it doesn’t just heal the body — it heals the spirit. It heals the parts of you that the world forgot to care about. The staff didn’t just provide safety, they gave me stability, guidance, and hope. They reminded me that healing doesn’t have to look perfect, and that trauma doesn’t make me weak — it means I’ve survived things that should’ve broken me. And slowly, with their help, I started believing that I could rebuild my life again. Eden gave me more than a place to stay. It gave me a foundation. It gave me community. It gave me the chance to feel human again and to be emotional, imperfect, and still worthy of love.”

Emergency Legal Responders

“Cassie,” a single mother living in Slidell, Louisiana, came to a clinic we hosted at the library after the April 10 tornado. Her apartment and car were damaged, and while displaced with her daughter, she was served with a lawsuit for credit card debt. She didn’t know where to begin. We explained what the court notice meant, walked her through how to respond without a lawyer, and broke down what bankruptcy would actually involve-including timelines, consequences, and alternatives. We also connected her to a local legal aid group that could take her case if she chose to file. She left the clinic knowing what she was facing, what her rights were, and how to take her next steps.

“Inez,” a tenant living in Thibodaux, Louisiana, reached out after Hurricane Francine, when her unit took on water and her landlord wouldn’t put anything in writing. Her lease didn’t mention what would happen if the apartment became unlivable, and the management company kept giving vague, verbal answers. We sent a detailed email explaining her rights under Louisiana landlord-tenant law, including what to document, what to request in writing, and when she could lawfully break the lease. We also gave her sample language to use and linked FEMA housing FAQs and renters’ guides we’d created for storms like this. She wrote back that she felt confident pushing for clarity.

Faith House

When “Maria” came to Faith House, she carried not only the physical scars of violence but also years of emotional pain and fear. For five long years, she endured relentless abuse at the hands of her husband—violence that left her bruised, isolated, and terrified for her life. The final assault was so severe that it resulted in permanent damage to her eye, requiring surgery and a prosthetic replacement. Throughout those years, Sarah was not permitted to work, socialize, or even leave her home without her abuser. Her world was defined by control and intimidation—until one night, a neighbor’s call to the police changed everything. Law enforcement officers intervened and brought her to Faith House, where our advocates were ready to help her begin the long process of healing. When Maria arrived, she was exhausted, bloodied, and in shock. Our staff immediately provided her with medical care, food, clothing, and a safe place to rest. That night, an advocate sat with her for hours as she shared her story for the first time. It was an emotional release years in the making. Over the following months, Maria began to rebuild her life. With the stability and support of our shelter program, she recovered from her surgeries and began to regain her independence. She found employment at a doctor’s office, enrolled in evening classes, and secured a home with assistance from the Foundation for Wellness’ project for herself and her young child. Today, Maria continues to participate in counseling and support groups through Faith House as she works toward long-term healing. Her courage and determination are a testament to the power of safety, compassion, and opportunity. Thanks to the support of our foundation partners, survivors like Maria can find not just shelter—but a path to renewed hope, independence, and a future free from violence.

Family & Youth CLS

Below is an email received from the guardian of a client who was referred to the Children’s Advocacy center and who received counseling at the Shannon Cox Counseling Center.

“Dear ______  
Just a note to thank you for all the help. From the moment we walked in the door your staff helped me and my daughter feel safe and comfortable. My daughter has been through so much in the last year and I feel like we finally have some hope in our lives. Since we started counseling at Family and Youth’s counseling center, you’ve helped both of us to better understand our feelings, and you’ve also helped give me the confidence that we can move forward with our lives though this difficult time. My daughter is starting to shine again and I can see my little girl healing and changing every week. You are a great listener and a sensitive caring person. I feel blessed that we were referred to the Children’s Advocacy Center and were able to continue at Family and Youth for counseling. It has made a huge difference in our lives when were at our lowest.”

Frontline Legal

The Frontline team met “Curtis” when he was getting out of the hospital for a lung infection due to the mold in his family’s rental house.  He had been incarcerated with the Louisiana Department of Corrections for several years, had been recently released, and returned home to his wife and four children, who had been living in a Section 8 house that had failed inspection. Because of the health dangers within the house, Curtis could not return there, and neither could his family, who had moved in with his mother-in-law. The landlord instituted eviction proceedings, and Curtis’ mother-in-law instituted legal proceedings to keep his children away from him. Curtis was then homeless, had three court proceedings pending, as well as issues with reestablishing his Disability benefits, SNAP benefits, and Medicare. Frontline used an integrated strategy of direct legal services and peer support to assist Curtis. Working as a team, our peer support and legal staff were able to place Curtis in a hotel room pending the eviction proceedings, negotiate with his landlord, assist him with having their Section 8 voucher moved from the old moldy house to a new house, counsel him in regard to the court proceeding to get the children returned, and assist him through our Housing Assistance program with rent and Emergency Financial Assistance program for food. Curtis was advised to work with the public defender’s office to attend his court hearing on his parole. Following these challenges, the family of six had a successful transition to new housing, and Curtis’ Disability, Medicare, SNAP benefits have been reinstated.

Click here for client stories, client testimonials, and volunteer testimonials of The Pro Bono Project. 

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services

“SLLS Helps Veteran Get Relief from Katrina FEMA Debt”

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina, Mr. W., a 63-year-old disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran and cancer survivor, came to one of our VA clinics with a recoupment notice for a $35,955.11 FEMA debt from Hurricane Katrina. It alleged FEMA had made duplicate benefits for the house he lived in with his mother when the storm hit. Mr. W’s SLLS attorney investigated the case and determined that the amount claimed as due was not accurate. She successfully got the debt reduced to $16,777.51 and, after a hearing, it was further decreased to $5,195.75. Ultimately, we secured a more affordable monthly repayment plan of $150 per month for three years which resulted in Mr. W. having enough funds to maintain his household. After all this time, survivors like Mr. W. continue to face long-lasting repercussions from the storm. Civil legal aid remains a lifeline, helping survivors secure justice and regain stability in the wake of unprecedented disaster.

“SLLS Helps Cancer Survivor Keep Her Home”

Our client has lived in the Desire/Abundance Square community for over 40 years. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and undergoing a mastectomy, she fell behind on rent and faced eviction. The landlord was ready to evict her, but with support from the Client Assistance Fund, her SLLS attorney secured a Consent Judgment with a manageable payment plan. When she missed a payment, we worked to combine additional assistance from the Client Assistance Fund, the Cancer Association of Louisiana, and the client’s own contribution to bring her balance to zero.  Today, she has a stable home and can focus on her health and recovery. This is just one example of how the Client Assistance Fund, SLLS social workers, attorneys, and our partners work together to make a real difference in keeping people housed during challenging times.

 ”SLLS Helps Domestic Violence Survivor Escape Crushing Debt”

When Ms. N moved out of her home to escape an abusive relationship, she felt a sense of relief and freedom. But a few years later, the anxiety returned when debt collectors began to call. Her former landlord claimed she owed $15,000 for the remainder of her lease. Earning only $28,000 a year and supporting five children, paying this debt would have been devastating for Ms. N. Fortunately, SLLS was able to help. Her attorney worked to have the debt dismissed, ensuring that this survivor of domestic violence was not further victimized. Thanks to their advocacy, the landlord voluntarily dismissed the case with prejudice, and this overwhelming debt no longer burdens Ms. N.

“SLLS Helps Reunite Siblings in Foster Care”

Our Child in Need of Care unit is court-appointed to represent children in the foster care system. We had two clients, one just a newborn, and one a toddler, who entered the foster care system at separate times through courts in different parishes. They turned out to be biological siblings. When their two SLLS attorneys realized the connection, they worked with the Department of Children and Family Services to have the children placed with the same foster family. Recently, their foster parents adopted them, and they are now part of their forever family, together as siblings.