Client Stories

JALA helps Navy veteran with custody issue to enable her to reenlist

Navy veteran Brianna Rebecca Brown sought to reenlist in the U.S. Navy, but due to a Department of Defense policy for single parents, she was required to have a parenting plan and guardian for minor children while on deployment or mobilization. Specifically, the U.S. Navy Recruiter told Brown she was going to need a Single Parent Waiver to reenter the military. Her daughter’s father was listed on the child’s birth certificate, so the Navy required her to have an official document indicating she had the sole authority to make decisions for daughter, even though the father had not been involved in the child’s life.

2022-01-27T16:09:01-05:00January 27th, 2022|Client Stories, Family Law, Veterans Services|

Man with disabilities gets permission to make needed modifications to his apartment

“Jonathan” was displaced from his home after it was destroyed in a fire. Through his insurance, his family was placed in an apartment complex while they decide whether to rebuild or move. Jonathan has physical disabilities, including quadriplegia, so he needed a number of modifications to the new apartment, including a keyless entry door lock, a Wi-Fi-capable thermostat, and a door handle to replace the knob on his back patio door. Unfortunately, he and his wife were unable to get permission from the property management to make the necessary modifications to the apartment. 

2022-01-27T15:19:44-05:00January 27th, 2022|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA’s advocacy vindicates employee’s rights under the ADA

“Seth,” 20, came to JALA for help after receiving a final warning notice for his employer, which he knew was a precursor to his termination. Seth had been diagnosed at 15 with follicular lymphoma, a cancer that attacks white blood cells. Despite this debilitating illness, he manages to work full-time as a custodian for a company that contracts with large institutions. When initially hired, his employer was made aware of his disability, and in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), he was provided with reasonable accommodations that allowed him to perform his position.

2022-01-27T15:42:09-05:00January 17th, 2022|Client Stories|

JALA ensures child is no longer in danger of overheating

“Josie,” who lives in an apartment with her 4-year-old son, sought help from JALA after experiencing repeated problems with her apartment’s air conditioning unit. Josie’s son has multiple disabilities and is at risk if he becomes overheated. During the day in the summer, the temperature in her apartment would go above 85 degrees, forcing her and her son to leave until after 8 p.m. each day. Maintenance of the air conditioning unit is the responsibility of the property management, but the manager made only excuses and not the necessary repairs.

2022-01-11T11:07:13-05:00January 11th, 2022|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA helps veteran with service-related disabilities remain housed

“Antonio” is a veteran with service-related disabilities who lives in low-income housing in Jacksonville and receives a monthly voucher payment from the Jacksonville Housing Authority that enables him to stay stably housed. In 2018 JALA attorney Adam Thoresen helped Antonio obtain a reasonable accommodation request to increase his housing voucher payment to enable him to afford his housing.

2022-01-27T15:30:50-05:00January 7th, 2022|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Veterans Services|

JALA’s Fair Housing Unit helps immunocompromised client break lease on rat-infested home

“Lashawn,” who participates in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, came to JALA for help when her rental home became uninhabitable and her property manager refused to allow her to break her lease so that she could relocate. The conditions in the home, which included holes in the floors that allowed rats to enter, were adversely affecting her health, which was already compromised by kidney disease requiring dialysis.

2022-01-06T14:19:15-05:00January 6th, 2022|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA protects senior and an adult son with disabilities from eviction

“Louise,” 80, lives with her son in an apartment partially subsidized with a Housing Choice Voucher. She and her son, who has a disability, both receive Social Security benefits, which they depend on to pay the rent. Because the rent is due by the 15th of each month and the Social Security checks do not arrive until the fourth Thursday of the month, Louise has struggled to pay the rent on time.

2021-09-07T12:49:06-04:00September 7th, 2021|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA secures home, income for mother and children after domestic violence incident

One night can dramatically change a parent and child’s life when violence infiltrates a home and a family. When it happened to “Arnette Bravely,” she made the tough choice to call upon law enforcement and the courts to help secure safety for herself and her family. She knew she and her children would face a lot of uncertainty, but she persisted and spoke out against her abuser.

2021-08-23T15:24:04-04:00August 23rd, 2021|Children's Health, Client Stories, Family Law|

JALA helps veteran retrieve belongings from his late son’s apartment

When their son died, “Myra Smith” and “Gus Turner” wanted to recover his belongings from his apartment. Unfortunately, the landlord was not in a position to allow removal of their late son’s personal property until after the statutory 60-day waiting period, or until there was an order from a probate court for the personal representative of the estate to remove it.

2021-08-23T15:11:20-04:00August 23rd, 2021|Client Stories, Veterans Services|
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