Members of CCLA's Family Law & Victims of Crime Unit celebrate Paralegal Carla Gardner's (center) 34 years of service as an honoree for Unsung Hero 2025 | |
Opening Statement From
CCLA's Executive Director
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Dear Friends,
This month we recognize National Credit Education and Awareness Month which serves as an important reminder of the need for financial security, especially among our senior community. Through our Senior Citizen Law Project, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida (CCLA) actively works to educate and protect seniors from credit fraud and predatory scams, providing legal assistance to those who have been targeted by financial exploitation. Our CCLA team is passionate about ensuring that older adults remain informed and safeguarded against deceptive practices that threaten their financial stability and independence.
At the same time, we celebrate Women’s History Month. We honor the resilience, strength, and achievements of women throughout history and within our own community. At Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, we take great pride in being a woman-led organization committed to empowering and protecting women through legal advocacy.
Our Family Law & Victims of Crime Unit stands as a beacon of hope for women facing domestic violence and family instability. Through legal representation, we help survivors secure protective orders, make timesharing arrangements, and connect them with the resources needed to build a future free from harm. Additionally, CCLA is deeply committed to supporting survivors of human trafficking, many of whom are young women seeking to reclaim their lives after enduring unimaginable hardship. Through our legal advocacy, we help them expunge their criminal records related to their victimization, petition for name changes, access vital services, and navigate the legal system so they can move forward with strength and dignity.
As we reflect on these observances, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to justice, advocacy, and education. Your support makes all the difference in helping us uplift and protect the most vulnerable in our community. Thank you for standing with us in this important work. Together, we can continue to make history by creating a more just and equitable future for all.
With gratitude
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Staff Spotlight:
Carla Gardner
"It is with great pride and admiration that we celebrate Carla Gardner as the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award. As a paralegal with Coast to Coast Legal Aid, Carla embodies dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Her tireless efforts behind the scenes ensure that our clients receive the support and advocacy they need during some of the most challenging times in their lives. This recognition is well deserved, and we are honored to see Carla's contributions acknowledged."
– Cindy Woodward, Director, Family Law & Victims of Crime Unit
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For 34 years, Carla Gardner has been the steady heartbeat of CCLA's, Family Law & Victims of Crime Unit, dedicating her time, expertise, and compassion, supporting clients, attorneys, law student interns, and colleagues alike. This year, the Broward County Bar Association, Broward County Women Lawyers Association, and the 17th Judicial Circuit honored Carla as Unsung Hero of the Year, a well-deserved recognition for her unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to the legal community.
To those who have worked alongside her, Carla is more than just an exceptional paralegal—she is a mentor, a problem solver, and a source of constant encouragement. “When I started at CCLA just over seven years ago, I had no paralegal experience,” shared one colleague. “I was told to ask Carla if I had any questions because she knew everything. She never made me feel silly or stupid for asking, and reassured me that I was doing well. It’s seven years later, and I still go to her with questions—she still answers with a smile and a laugh.”
Dependability and kindness define Carla’s approach to her work. She is the go-to person for attorneys and staff, always willing to lend a hand. “Carla never says no—she is always trying to help, no matter what the issue may be,” another colleague shared. “She is a great asset to CCLA and truly deserving of this award.”
Carla’s impact extends far beyond the office. Her deep well of knowledge, patient mentorship, and dedication to justice have shaped the careers of many young attorneys and paralegals. “She has the patience of a saint when it comes to mentoring,” a colleague remarked. “She is never too busy for a teachable moment or to help us navigate complex cases. To our clients, she provides not only guidance but also dignity, respect, and compassion.” She cares about the work we do, truly believes in CCLA's mission, and goes above and beyond for our clients often searching out other community resources to support them.
Her expertise, attention to detail, and relentless support have made her an irreplaceable part of CCLA’s Family Law & Victims of Crime Unit. But it is her heart that truly sets her apart. “Carla celebrates our wins, fixes our missteps, and ensures that no client ever feels unheard or unimportant,” her team shared. “After 34 years, her compassion has never wavered. We are beyond blessed to work alongside her.”
Congratulations to Carla Gardner, our Unsung Hero of the Year—a title that perfectly reflects the dedication, kindness, and quiet strength she brings to CCLA every single day.
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