Our November 2018 Advocate of the Month is Rachelle Greczyn. Rachelle joined LSA’s Dothan Office in July of 2016. Rachelle is active in all of LSA’s core service areas including: family, consumer, housing, public benefits, and education law. In 2018, Rachelle joined LSA’s High Impact team and also became the Lead Attorney for LSA’s Empowerment practice group. Since starting at LSA, Rachelle has proved herself to be one of the hardest working and accomplished young attorneys with the program. In November, Rachelle proved this once again by helping a large number of people with a wide variety of problems.
Among the people Rachelle helped this month, was a domestic violence victim who was trying to get her child back and move on safely with a life free from abuse. The client filed a Protection from Abuse case against her abuser. When the client’s abuser avoided service, Rachelle eventually arranged for him to be served at his sister’s house. With Rachelle’s help, the client was able to get a permanent Protection Order and begin the process of rebuilding.
In another case, Rachelle helped a child with special needs facing bullying and a lack of school services, to receive the help he needed. When the parent’s attempts to work with the school did not fix the problem, Rachelle reached out to the Board of Education and the Superintendent. After Rachelle intervened, the school became much more responsive to the child’s needs, and the parents were able to get the support they requested.
Rachelle also went to court in September to help a client obtain a Protection Order. The client came to LSA after she was unable to resolve the issue on her own. The client had tried to remove the offender and was beaten so badly, she needed surgery. Although Rachelle had appeared in August at a hearing with the Housing Authority and ensured the client wouldn’t be evicted, in November she helped the client receive a Protection Order so that she would remain safe in the future.
In another case, Rachelle helped a client facing garnishment to keep her wages. Because the client was not initially eligible for a bankruptcy (due to being behind on certain payments), Rachelle began by protecting her wages through filing a Claim of Exemption. Later, when the client became current, Rachelle filed a bankruptcy so the client had a completely clean financial slate.
In November, Rachelle also helped another client, who was pregnant, to receive a temporary Protection Order in order to separate her from her abuser. Because of Rachelle’s help, this woman will be able to focus on more important issues, like caring for herself and her unborn child.
This month and every month, we here at LSA are very proud of the work done by Rachelle and the Dothan Regional Office. Thanks again, Rachelle!
By Michael Forton, Director of Advocacy
