How We've Helped

SENIOR CITIZEN FINDS BIOLOGICAL FAMILY WITH HELP OF CLSMF

Gordon Sylvia, CLSMF Senior Citizen Coordinator Karen MacFarlane, and Evelyn Sylvia

Gordon Sylvia contacted our senior citizen coordinator, Karen MacFarlane, for help in solving a life-long mystery: "I spent 76 years not knowing the circumstances of my adoption," Gordon said. He had been "seriously searching" for his biological family for 37 years with no luck. During this period, Gordon had gained some basic facts about his origins – he knew he was born with the surname Poutre in Massachusetts – but he did not know how to go about obtaining his out-of-state adoption records – the key that would finally open the door to his past.

Karen assisted Gordon in making his way through what seemed to be a confusing legal maze to gain the information he wanted. With CLSMF’s help, Gordon filed a Motion for Access/Release of Adoption Records in September of 2003. Three months later, he received his adoption records. Not only did he learn who his mother was and the situation surrounding his adoption, but he felt overwhelmed to find out that he had six siblings. A surviving brother, James, is 86-years-old, and living in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Gordon and his wife, Evelyn, attended a family reunion in Massachusetts in May 2004. "It freed me," he says. "I was finally able to find and touch and know there was another half of me. We – James and I – were whole together. Before, I felt like I was a body in an empty space in the universe – never complete – and that changed when I met James."

Gordon is still searching for a biological sister born Doris Poutre in New Bedford, Massachusetts over 70 years ago, and information on his biological father is still a mystery. As he continues his search, he maintains close contact with James and newly found extended family members.

Through tears, Gordon said, "Working with Karen was fabulous. The warmth and emotion she extended when working on this made a difference. She did all the calling for me, all the legal footwork that made all of this happen."

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM GAINS INDEPENDENCE
"Carmen" had endured 25 years of abuse when her husband knocked her to the ground and broke her hip. A neighbor witnessed the crime and called the police, who arrested Carmen’s husband.

One of our victim’s advocates spoke with Carmen, who for the first time in her life revealed to an outsider what had been happening for so many years. Carmen described how her husband had destroyed household items, how he had left bruises on her, and how he regularly threatened her. She also explained that she had lost touch with her grown children, who had grown weary believing that Carmen would never leave the abusive marriage.

The victim’s advocate arranged for Carmen to meet with a CLSMF attorney, who immediately filed a petition for an injunction for protection, which was temporarily granted. When Carmen’s husband was served with the protective order, he called Carmen and threatened her. Carmen in turn contacted the police, who told her that without a recording of the threats, there was nothing they could do. Carmen spoke with her CLSMF attorney, who filed an Affidavit of Violation of the injunction.

At the hearing, Carmen testified for two-and-a-half hours, describing the years of abuse and torment she had suffered. Her husband denied everything, making statements that Carmen was "crazy" and needed to be institutionalized. Then the victim’s advocate tapped the CLSMF attorney on the shoulder and whispered to her that Carmen’s son was in the courtroom.

After a break requested by the CLSMF attorney, Carmen’s son testified on her behalf, providing compelling testimony about the abuse. The judge later granted a final injunction for protection with no expiration. The judge restricted Carmen’s husband from coming to her house and ordered him to attend anger management classes.

We referred Carmen to a private divorce attorney who accepted her case on a contingency basis – Carmen’s husband would be made to pay the attorney fees. Carmen resumed a relationship with her children and for the first time in years began to live a life free of abuse and threats.

ORLANDO MAN WITH DISABILITY RETAINS HOUSING
Mr. Bonner, an Orlando resident, suffers multiple health problems which have resulted in him using a wheelchair and requiring a live-in aide. He has lived in Section 8 housing for over 10 years and has employed the same aide during this time. Therefore, Mr. Bonner was shocked to learn that the Orlando Housing Authority terminated his housing assistance because, during the annual eligibility review, he could not immediately locate his original birth certificate, nor could the aide find her social security card – documents provided to the Housing Authority on an annual basis. Even though Mr. Bonner and his aide managed to obtain and present the required documents a few days late, the Housing Authority terminated assistance.

Without his Section 8 assistance, Mr. Bonner was unable to pay his rent, and his landlord began eviction proceedings. Mr. Bonner was desperate when he spoke with the legal staff at CLSMF’s Orlando office. "He was despairing," the staff reports, "but he never lost heart. He wanted us to fight for his rights, and we did."

The eviction case went to mediation, where we negotiated a settlement. The most important thing was to avoid an eviction judgment, which would have disqualified Mr. Bonner from receiving housing assistance in the future. The landlord was convinced to drop the claim for damages/money. But, still, Mr. Bonner would have to move, as he had no way to pay for his apartment.
Once CLSMF began preparing to file a lawsuit in federal court in order to reinstate Mr. Bonner’s housing assistance, the Orlando Housing Authority decided to reinstate Mr. Bonner.

- Putting Justice in Everyone’s Reach -