is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Peru. She works as a housecleaner in the District. After the birth of her son Miguel, his father – an English-speaking U.S. citizen – became verbally and emotionally abusive. Ermelinda managed to escape her abuser, but he refused to provide financial assistance for their child.  When she asked for child support, Miguel’s father used Ermelinda’s isolation as an immigrant against her, often telling her that she was alone and that he could kill her without anyone noticing. He also threatened to take Miguel from her, knowing that this was Ermelinda’s greatest fear. “I was so scared,” she says.
Ermelinda first came to Bread for the City in July of 2006. She was curious about the name of the organization, and thought that she would be given “bread made of grain.” Ermelinda was amazed to discover that BFC also provides “bread made of legal services, medical services, and social services.” Ermelinda had already appealed for legal help at two non-profits in the District, but they had been unable to assist her. “I can’t afford to have a lawyer. But no one would help me,” says Ermelinda. “But when I came to Bread for the City, they had everything for me. I was so lucky to find this place.” Ermelinda met with Mark Haufrect, BFC’s Spanish-speaking family law attorney. Much of Mark’s work focuses on helping low-income Latinas overcome barriers to accessing child support and public benefits – crucial financial support for low-income women and their families. With Mark’s assistance, Ermelinda obtained a Civil Protection Order (CPO) against her abuser that prohibited him from assaulting, threatening, and coming within 100 feet of her. She also received temporary custody of their young son. Mark continued to work with Ermelinda to obtain an extension of her CPO until she won permanent custody. In addition, with the help of the DC child support agency and Mark’s advice and counsel, Ermelinda received a court order requiring Miguel’s father to pay $600 per month in child support. The CPO was critical in ensuring the safety and well-being of Ermelinda and her son during the process of obtaining the child support and custody orders. Bread for the City did not stop there. Our legal clinic is unique in that our lawyers connect our clients to other program areas at BFC. We do not simply “solve” clients’ legal problems; we comprehensively address their overall needs, greatly improving their general situation and reducing the likelihood that they will need legal assistance in the future. While working with Ermelinda and Miguel, we discovered that they lacked health insurance. Ermelinda does not receive employer-sponsored health benefits through her job as a housecleaner, and had been paying out of pocket for private health insurance. She could not afford the high monthly costs, however, and was forced to cancel her plan. Ermelinda and Miguel had been going without medical care or the security of health insurance for almost 6 months when Bread for the City stepped in. “The staff at Bread for the City helps as best as they can,” says Ermelinda. “They try to understand the problems people have. Everyone is so friendly, kind, and humble.” Ermelinda adds: “Lots of people here speak Spanish, or try to speak Spanish. It’s very impressive, and it means a lot to me.” Over the past year and a half, Bread for the City has: - Enrolled Miguel and Ermelinda in Medicaid
- Arranged for help dealing with a tax issue
- Provided ongoing medical services to Ermelinda
- Provided supplemental food when Ermelinda is in need
“The best thing about Bread for the City is that they help with all the different problems,” says Ermelinda. Since she obtained the CPO and permanent custody of Miguel, who is now four years old, Ermelinda’s abuser has not made any new threats. Ermelinda is feeling happier and better about her life, and says she is no longer afraid. In fact, she speaks passionately about saving every month to provide for her son’s college education, and is enthusiastically making plans to take Miguel to visit family in Peru for the first time. “My only dream for us is to live in peace. I want my child to be healthy, to get the best education, and to have a good job.” *Names have been changed to protect the identities of BFC clients.
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