June is

Elder Abuse Awareness Month

This is a time to shine a light on the often-hidden crisis of abuse, neglect, and exploitation facing our older population. At Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida (CCLA), we are deeply committed to protecting the rights, dignity, and safety of seniors in our community. Through our Senior Citizen Law Project, our attorneys provide vital legal assistance to older adults facing financial exploitation, domestic violence, housing instability, physical abuse, and other forms of mistreatment. We work closely with local partners to raise awareness, educate the public, and ensure seniors have the legal tools they need to live safely and independently. Every case we handle is a step toward justice and a reminder that our elders deserve to be respected, protected, and heard.

Meet Our Clients: George, Anna and Marguerite

These are just a few of the many lives touched by Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida — where justice meets compassion every day.

George, a disabled senior, was on the brink of eviction. He withheld rent when his landlord refused to make critical repairs, including fixing a broken window and resolving serious plumbing issues. Alone and vulnerable, George turned to Coast to Coast Legal Aid for help. Our attorney discovered the eviction was not only unjust—but also unlawful. The person bringing the case wasn’t even the rightful owner of the property. With precision and care, the CCLA attorney prepared a strong legal response, including a Motion to Dismiss. The judge agreed—and dismissed the case. Thanks to CCLA’s tireless advocacy, George was able to stay in his home, safe and secure.

Marguerite, a senior struggling with both physical and emotional health challenges, was overwhelmed when she received an eviction notice. She had no idea how to respond or navigate the legal system. CCLA stepped in and prepared legal pleadings, walked her through each step, and helped her prepare for mediation. The outcome? A settlement that allowed Marguerite to move on her own terms, without an eviction on her record. Through tears of relief, she thanked the CCLA team for their compassion, guidance, and unwavering support.

Anna, 65 years old, was a victim of repeated verbal abuse from her boyfriend. One night, it turned physical when Anna’s boyfriend grabbed her by her hair and threw her to the ground. As she cried, he screamed, threatening to hurt her even more. Knowing she was injured, he grabbed Anna’s phone out of her hand and began to stomp on it, so she couldn’t call for help. As soon as she could get away, Anna ran to her neighbor’s home to call the police. As her boyfriend fled from their home, he managed to shut the water off. 

The police arrived, found and arrested her boyfriend. They were able to remove the lock that her boyfriend used to turn the water off. Her victim advocate told her about injunctions and Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida’s services for seniors and victims of crime. Anna went to the Broward County Courthouse and filed a Petition for Injunction Against Domestic Violence. The Court granted Anna a Temporary Injunction for Protection and scheduled a final hearing on the Petition. She came to CCLA to represent her for that hearing...

CCLA In The Community

Since we last checked in, CCLA attended A Candid Conversation with Leaders of the Florida Bar: President Roland Sanchez Medina and President-Elect Sia Baker Barnes hosted by US Legal Support and all of Broward's Voluntary Bar Associations. It was a great event to learn about our Bar leaders and connect with friends.

Recently, CCLA had a wonderful opportunity to meet with leaders in Washington, D.C. to highlight the critical role of free civil legal assistance in disaster response and recovery. Whether it’s after a hurricane, flood, fire, pandemic, or other crisis, legal issues don’t disappear — they multiply. From securing FEMA benefits and preventing unlawful evictions to replacing vital documents for seniors and protecting victims of domestic violence, legal aid is an essential part of disaster recovery infrastructure. At CCLA, we see this every day. Our attorneys provide life-changing legal services to low-income individuals and families who are often hit hardest by disasters and have the fewest resources to recover.

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida's Executive Director Lisa Goldberg and Senior Law Unit Supervising Attorney Jeff Hittleman attended the Fourth Annual Pursuers of Justice event, hosted by the Broward County Bar Association and the Jewish Bar Association of Broward in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month. The event celebrates legal professionals who exemplify justice, integrity, and service. We were proud to recognize this year’s honorees, Judge Lauren Alperstein and Attorney Michael Fischler, for their outstanding legal skill, ethical leadership, and professionalism.

On May 16th, attorneys from Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida’s Senior Law Unit attended the 30th Annual Claude Pepper Awards Luncheon, an inspiring event recognizing exceptional leaders and organizations who have made a lasting impact in the lives of older adults throughout our community.

This year, we were especially proud to celebrate our esteemed community partner, Charlotte Mather-Taylor, CEO of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County, as she received the prestigious Community Builder Award. Charlotte has long been a tireless advocate for the rights, dignity, and well-being of Broward County’s aging population. Her leadership and vision have strengthened the safety net for thousands of seniors, and we are grateful for her partnership in our shared mission to protect the most vulnerable.

Congratulations to Charlotte and to all of the distinguished honorees who were recognized for their unwavering commitment to service and community empowerment. The luncheon served as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when advocates, nonprofits, and community leaders come together with a common goal: to build a more just, inclusive, and supportive world for seniors.

CCLA's Economic Advocacy & community Health (EACH) Unit presented at a Ryan White Support Services Network meeting about the legal assistance we provide. Senior Law Unit attorneys conducted outreach at the Northwest Senior Focal Point about Advance Directives and presented to a Cooper City Senior Group about the Mobile Justice Squad, Fraud, Abuse, and Scam Prevention.

We’re excited to share that members of our Family Law & Victims of Crime Unit attended the 2025 National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) Conference in Portland, Oregon. Hosted annually, the NCVLI Conference is one of the leading national gatherings dedicated to advancing victims’ rights. It brings together attorneys, victim advocates, and scholars from across the country to collaborate on innovative strategies that promote justice, healing, and empowerment for survivors of crime. As a nonprofit legal services provider, our mission is deeply rooted in equal access to justice and advocacy for victims of crime. This conference provided our attorneys with cutting-edge insights on trauma-informed legal practices, tips to strengthen our approach to victim-centered advocacy, and let us build connections with experts and fellow advocates working toward a more just legal system. We are proud to represent our community in this important space and brought back new tools and perspectives to better serve survivors in our region.

On May 29th, we were thrilled to celebrate a major milestone alongside our longtime partners at the FLITE Center — the official ribbon cutting of their brand-new medical facility, a transformative addition to the vital services they provide to some of our community’s most vulnerable populations. This new facility is more than just a medical space; it is a beacon of hope and healing for youth aging out of foster care, survivors of human trafficking, and individuals facing the often-overlooked challenges of housing instability, trauma, and systemic injustice. By offering accessible, trauma-informed healthcare, FLITE Center is filling a critical gap in services for those navigating life transitions without the traditional support systems many rely on. Our Human Trafficking Legal Team were honored to attend the ribbon cutting and stand in solidarity with FLITE Center in their continued commitment to wraparound care. Congratulations to the entire team at FLITE Center on this incredible achievement — and thank you for your tireless efforts to make Broward County a safer, healthier, and more equitable place for all.

As part of our ongoing partnership with the Broward State Attorney's Office, we met with the Victim Advocate Interns, offering a presentation on how our offices work together to serve and support survivors of violence, abuse, and exploitation. Our discussion highlighted the vital intersection of legal advocacy and trauma-informed care, emphasizing how collaboration between legal aid and prosecutors ensures survivors receive both justice and compassionate support. CCLA complements the State Attorney’s Office by removing legal and personal barriers to healing and success, with a shared goal of helping survivors feel heard, protected, and empowered.

We were inspired by the interns’ thoughtful questions and their deep commitment to victim advocacy. It is encouraging to see the next generation of professionals so engaged in the work of survivor-centered justice. We look forward to our incoming legal interns learning as enthusiastically

CCLA staff are experts in their field and recognize the importance of being on the cutting edge of issues that impact our clients and community.

As an integral part of this community, we look forward to engaging with all community members and providers as the year continues. If you would like CCLA to attend an event, conduct an outreach, or you have a topic you'd like us to address in an episode of Legal Learning on CCLA's Facebook page and YouTube channel, please contact us at: CCLAInfo@legalaid.org.

Check out our Community Outreach page.