|
Stories of Lives Changed through Franklin County Legal Services
Humanitarian Asylum Granted. A mother and her child have been granted humanitarian asylum in the United States after fleeing for their lives from another country. They are now safe and are beginning new lives of hope here in Chambersburg. Family Reunited. A mother sought Franklin County Legal Services’ assistance after her husband left her and then took their children from her. She was able to get one child back, but the father would not allow her to see their other child. Through Franklin County Legal Services’ assistance, the mother was reunited with her child and there is now a fair custody order in place.
Lifeline Provided. A young woman was awarded permanent residence in the United States, giving her the ability to get a job, stay united with loved ones, get a driver's license, and participate fully in the community. It has given her a lifeline to meet basic needs and work toward her dreams.
Future Brightened. A teenage client of Franklin County Legal Services was awarded Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. This status will protect him from violence, poverty, displacement, and enable him to participate in many of the normal activities of his classmates, such as getting a driver’s license and a job. His new legal status has given him a much brighter future.
Access to Necessities. Through the Agency’s pro bono referral program, the Agency connected a client to a pro bono attorney in the community. The client was in need of guardianship of her severely disabled relative so that the relative could obtain access to necessary services such as speech and physical therapy, counseling, modifications to client’s home for relative’s care etc.
Freedom from Fear. Franklin County Legal Services represented a guardian who had taken in a child from Central America who had traveled without a parent/guardian to the United States to escape danger and neglect. After a stay at a shelter for unaccompanied youth near the border, the child was placed in the home of the guardian. The guardian sought custody of the child in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to stabilize the child's life and to help protect him from being deported to an unsafe situation. The guardian was awarded custody. Franklin County Legal Services is defending the child in immigration court.
Home Saved: Franklin County Legal Services prevented a single mother and her children from losing their home. The mother's landlord had sued her to force her to unexpectedly uproot her children and move out because she would not sign an unreasonable update to her current lease. Franklin County Legal Services defended the mother and the court case was dismissed.
Citizenship Celebrated: An immigrant worked very hard to learn English and civics in our Citizenship Exam Preparation Class. Franklin Legal Services also represented her in her naturalization case and the client became a proud citizen of the United States of America.
Family Kept Together: Franklin County Legal Services helped keep a family together through obtaining a critical Waiver in a family petition case which will help prevent years of separation for the family across national borders.
|