Dear supporters,
Our Christmas party with our clients was a huge success. It was a community of love celebration that you can see in the picture of the team and clients enjoying music at the party. Also, ahead of year-end and to celebrate Christmas, we wanted to post the letter we mailed to some of our biggest supporters this year. Michael’s story below will be highlighted more this year-end, as well, so keep an eye out for that! Here is the letter:
The past 12 months have honestly been hard for many reasons - individually and organizationally. At Restoring Justice, we have been in a rebuild year. We are eternally joyful to report, though, that through it all, we’ve honored our primary purpose: the people we serve.
People like Michael and his son, JJ. After being widowed when JJ’s mother passed away, Michael’s own childhood trauma made relationships difficult. He got caught in an abusive cycle with a woman who often called the police to make false allegations. Over police officers’ disbelief, charges were accepted without witnesses or proof of any injuries. Michael took full advantage of all four pillars of our expert service: client-centered legal representation, social services, trauma-informed counseling, and our volunteer program. After three years of truth revealing amidst police misconduct, lying prosecutors, hidden evidence, constitutional rights violations, victim services denial, and a judge allowing it all to happen - Michael’s case was dismissed last Friday. Michael and JJ now attend church without this hanging over their head. Michael often preaches encouragement and is starting his own handy-man company.
People like Tommie, who loves taking care of horses and his new job moving furniture. Despite officers being called to a restaurant for a fight that Tommie had nothing to do with, police chased him down and claimed a gun found a hundred yards away was his. After a year and a half in jail pretrial, Tommie found Restoring Justice. We listened and showed that legally the police had no right to even approach him. Tommie became one of the brightest visits to our office and once we presented the argument in a motion, his case was dismissed! Tommie is now free to train his horses and keep his job!
Moving forward, we have realized a need for indigent defense culture change, and our new strategic plan highlights how we plan to make change. We’re finally ready to grow again. If you’re able this year-end, please join us by donating again. Thank you,
In Love’s name,