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Oregon legal aid programs assist low-income Oregonians all across the state. Legal aid represents people with high priority needs—food, shelter, medical care, income maintenance and safety from harm. About forty percent of our work is in family law, usually helping victims of domestic violence. Here are some brief snapshots of people we assisted this year.

 

Helping When Disaster Strikes

Bend legal aid helped Michael and his family when they lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. Trying to start over in Central Oregon, Michael was penalized by the IRS for unpaid taxes. Legal aid helped him amend his tax return to fully describe the family’s hurricane losses. Instead of penalties, the family received a refund.

Preventing Homelessness

Charles, a developmentally delayed senior, almost lost his childhood home, the only place he had ever lived. When his parents passed away, Charles couldn’t afford the property taxes or the liens left by his parents’ medical bills. Legal aid was able to help. They filed a small estate affidavit, secured quitclaim deeds from his siblings, and negotiated with the estate’s creditors. The creditors withdrew their claims. With the house now in his name, Charles is able to qualify for a tax deferral.

Protecting Children

Anna could see that her son Juan was in danger. His father was abusive to Anna and, when he was drinking, he was abusive and neglectful towards Juan. Legal aid helped Anna get an order requiring supervised parenting time. When Juan’s father attacked the supervisor, legal aid helped end the father’s parenting time.

 

Giving Hope, Opening Doors

Fatima lived with violence every day. Physically assaulted and held prisoner in an arranged marriage, she saved up quarters from the laundry money and made a plan for herself and her baby son. The day Fatima was able to escape, she took a bus to Immigration Services in Portland. Officials there referred her to legal aid. Legal aid staff helped Fatima obtain a divorce and get custody of her child. Today she is a Certified Nursing Assistant and she is studying to be a RN.

"When the attorney called, it was the best phone call I ever had."

Juanita Streifel

Legal Aid Client