SUCCESS STORY

Fifteen-year-old Kendra was trapped in an abusive relationship. Unhappy with her mother and abusive stepfather, she had gotten pregnant and then married at fifteen. After the marriage, however, her baby’s father, David, became more and more verbally and then physically abusive. At first, she was reluctant to report the domestic violence: David was the father of her child and her hope for a secure family. However, at the ER getting stitches after one of his assaults, Kendra summoned the courage to tell. David was arrested and the authorities told Kendra he would probably be deported. Now Kendra was physically safe, but how would the teenager support her baby?

How Legal Aid Helped
Through our Teen Parent Project, a Legal Aid attorney served as Kendra’s advocate in a series of legal proceedings to help her establish a new life.

• First, the attorney advised Kendra that, as a victim of crime who had helped the authorities, she might be eligible for a U Visa, allowing her to live and work legally in the United States.

• The attorney helped Kendra apply for a U VISA and advised her that applying for a U Visa made her eligible for child care assistance and other benefits so that she could finish high school.

• Legal Aid also helped Kendra file for full custody of her daughter Alice to ensure that David couldn’t take her if he returned to the U.S.

• The attorney advocated with the welfare office for child care assistance, cash benefits, and food stamps that would enable Kendra to stay in school. The welfare office approved Kendra’s application and helped her with child care during school hours.

Kendra was grateful for the attorney’s help, saying she didn’t know what she would have done without Legal Aid.

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