We’re celebrating National Pro Bono week with stories of people our volunteers and donors have helped through our legal clinics.

Once a month, VLSC volunteers staff a Dissolution Clinic to help people navigate through the difficult process of divorce.

Krishna* attended the VLSC Dissolution Clinic after being kicked out of her home by her abusive husband. With two children and no source of income, Krishna and her children had to move into her father’s small studio apartment. It wasn’t long before her father’s landlord gave them notice there were too many people living in the unit and that she and her children would have to leave.

Knowing she had to move out, Krishna contacted VLSC in hopes of getting assistance with child support. Her cultural background did not permit divorce, so VLSC volunteers helped her with the paperwork to file for a legal separation to help facilitate financial assistance. Krishna has returned to the clinic for help with the next few steps in her separation and is now receiving child support.

Regaining financial stability has allowed Krishna and her children to move into their own apartment.

*Name has been changed to protect client privacy.

Would you like to help people like Krishna?

You can donate online 24/7 on our website: https://alamedacountyb.wpengine.com/VLSC/Donate/, or contact Katrielle Veslenio at (510) 302-2209 or katrielle@acbanet.org. Interested in volunteering at the VLSC Dissolution Clinic? Contact VLSC Clinics Coordinator Daniela Meza at daniella@acbanet.org or (510) 302-2219.

This story was originally published in the Fall 2015 edition of the Volunteer Legal Services Corporation’s newsletter. To read the full newsletter, please click here.