2023
Annual
Appeal
Dear SeniorLAW Center advocate and friend,
“Mom, you can do this.” Those are the words that echoed in Celeste’s head from her daughter who had just suddenly and tragically passed away. Celeste says that a little part of her died that day, too, but she knew she had to be strong for her 4-year-old grandson whose care she was now unexpectedly responsible for.
Celeste quickly realized she needed help. She couldn’t navigate the Family Court system alone to obtain custody and ensure that her grandson received all the support he was entitled to, and she was still dealing with immense grief over the loss of her daughter.
She started to lose hope as the answer to every phone call and request for help was ‘No.’ That’s until she found SeniorLAW Center.
Celeste quickly met with SeniorLAW Center’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren team. Celeste was dealing with a huge roadblock: she couldn’t locate her grandson’s father, who had never been involved in the child’s life, to serve the necessary legal papers. Without this step, the custody hearing could not proceed. But with our expertise and resources, we located him in another state awaiting sentencing on a criminal matter.
With that information, an expedited hearing was conducted. Ultimately, SeniorLAW Center was able to obtain sole legal and sole physical custody for Celeste.
Celeste’s story shows that when you give to SeniorLAW Center, you help keep grandchildren in the loving care of their grandparents. You keep families together.
Once she gained custody, Celeste was able to obtain social security and death benefits that her grandson was entitled to receive. She also was able to enroll him in kindergarten. Celeste has provided stability and security for her grandson and has been a fierce advocate for both his specialized medical and educational needs.
Celeste’s story with SeniorLAW Center is not done yet. You see, we help provide holistic services and elevate the voices of our clients.
To ensure Celeste’s affairs were in order, our team prepared advance planning documents so her wishes and intentions for her grandson’s care were legally documented. Along with our partners, we assured that Celeste got the care she needed as she struggled to cope with her overwhelming grief.
These services are only possible because of kind SeniorLAW Center supporters like you.
To show her gratitude and help other grandparents in her situation, Celeste joined SeniorLAW Center’s Grandparents Justice Advisory Council. The Council advises our work and responds to grandparents’ lived experiences about ongoing barriers to justice. Together, because of your support, we will continue to elevate the voices of grandparents.
I hope you will proudly support SeniorLAW Center’s critical work seeking justice for older people by making a gift today.
Grandparents like Celeste are the backbone of thousands of families across Pennsylvania. Because of you, we will continue to advocate for them and ensure intergenerational families stay together and receive the support they deserve.
This story is a testament to the remarkable impact of SeniorLAW Center's work. We are not just providing legal services; we are changing lives and offering hope and support to older people who face daunting challenges. But we cannot do it alone.
By contributing to SeniorLAW Center, you are helping to ensure that older people have access to the legal expertise they need to protect their rights, dignity, and well-being. Not only does your support help grandparents raise grandchildren, but it fights elder abuse and financial exploitation, homelessness, and poverty.
As we enter the holiday season, will you consider making a caring gift of $50, $75, $100 or more? Your support helps to transform the lives of people of all ages.
Thank you for being a part of the SeniorLAW Center family, and for making stories like Celeste’s possible.
With sincere gratitude,
Karen C. Buck, Esq.
Executive Director
P.S. Celeste was grateful to share her story: “It’s an honor and privilege to be able to tell my story that I truly believe will touch people and that they will care. I’m thankful that I can tell my story because of SeniorLAW Center.”
Will you honor Celeste’s story and commitment to raising her grandson by making a donation to SeniorLAW Center?
Prefer to make an online donation? You can by visiting www.seniorlawcenter.org/donate.
Thank you again!