ICYMI: November 2019

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” -- John 15:13

In case you missed it, this November, we highlighted our partnership with HVAF of Indiana, Inc., featuring stories about our shared clients and discussing important issues affecting homeless veterans.

On the blog this month, Interim Executive Director Chase Haller shared a special Veteran’s Day message and Staff Attorney Matthew Gaudin shared about his experiences working with clients through our HVAF partnership. On social media, we introduced you to a veteran named Kevin who was working for a man who owed him a large amount of back pay.

We had the opportunity to support our friends at INHP at their annual Trivia Night, and our dear friends at Kaleo gave our staff a kind and encouraging present:

INHP Trivia Night

Breakfast Box from the women of Kaleo

Also this month, in advance of Giving Tuesday, we shared three client stories that demonstrate the transformative power of pro bono legal services:

Cyrus Sutherlin, HVAF PARTNERSHIP

Cyrus Sutherlin served in the U.S. military, but after leaving the military, he made some mistakes that got him into legal trouble. One of his mistakes was driving without insurance and he lost his license as a result. Over the years, the various reinstatement fees hung over Cyrus' head.

Many years later, Cyrus went to HVAF of Indiana, Inc. and his case worker helped him to secure stable housing and to find a job at Goodwill. She also introduced Cyrus to Clinic Staff Attorney Matthew Gaudin. Ever since Cyrus lost his license in 1996, he has taken the bus everywhere. But Matt wanted to help Cyrus be able to drive again.

Matt petitioned the court to waive the reinstatement fees and provided the court with proof that Cyrus now has insurance. The court granted the petition within just a few days. Today, Cyrus is looking forward to his future, studying for his driver's test. "I'm just a hard-headed rascal who is going to be 53 in January, trying to learn to become a man," he says. "Being able to have your own vehicle to get up and go whenever you want, wherever you want, however far you got to go, is a privilege."

We're so grateful to be able to help Cyrus move towards that privilege again.

Nayely Galicia Cholula, VICTIM JUSTICE PROGRAM

Several years ago, Nayely Galicia Cholula was a victim of domestic violence and she obtained a U Visa with the help of another Indianapolis attorney. In 2013, she came to the Clinic for assistance with petitioning for her green card. Then, after being a lawful permanent resident for five years, she returned to the Clinic for assistance with applying for citizenship.

Staff Attorney Erica Harrigan and Paralegal Karen Salazar filed Nayely's naturalization application. She was then scheduled for an interview with USCIS. Clinic Volunteer Attorney Jack Moriarty helped Nayely prepare for the interview. According to Jack, she passed with flying colors. Finally, on September 18, 2019, Jack and Nayely attended her oath ceremony, during which Nayely officially became an American.

Today, Nayely is grateful to be a naturalized U.S. citizen, safe here in America with her five U.S. citizen children. We here at the Clinic are grateful to have walked alongside Nayely for so many years and to be able to witness her thriving.

Linda & Dewayne Johnson, CONSUMER JUSTICE PROGRAM

Linda and Dewayne Johnson fell behind on their mortgage payments after a series of medical issues left them reeling. A diabetic with retinal detachments in both eyes, Linda is now completely blind. Meanwhile, Dewayne suffered from his own health problems, including a recent stroke. As the amount of money they owed increased, they noticed people taking photos outside of their home and they started receiving letters from the mortgage company. Dewayne recalls thinking, "Lord, I don't want to be homeless."

That's when Linda and Dewayne visited the Legal Clinic and received assistance in applying for the Hardest Hit Fund. Housing Paralegal Molly Jefford called them to deliver the good news the day they were approved to have their mortgage reinstated. "I sat at the table and I just cried," says Linda. "It was a blessing."

With this financial assistance, Linda and Dewayne are able to stay in their home of 15 years. They now have some breathing room for Dewayne to recover from his stroke and for them to figure out how to move forward with their long-term medical conditions. "We couldn't have made it without you," Linda says.

Here at the Clinic, we couldn't make it without your support either.

As part of Giving Tuesday, we are asking you to consider making a gift to Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic. Any money you donate to this campaign will go towards purchasing new technology to better serve our volunteers, staff, and clients like Cyrus, Nayely, and the Johnsons. If you’d like to contribute, you can do so through our website. We have currently raised $1820, which is 63% of our goal! Thank you so much for your support!

Please be sure to check back in this December as we spend the month celebrating exciting victories, both big and small, from the past year!

In the meantime, we wish you and your family a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend! We thank the Lord for each and every one of you!