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Seeing the value in VALU
Volunteers sought for civil protection order program at Mahoning courthouse
TRACEY BLAIR
Legal News Reporter
Published: February 22, 2018
Cynthia Foust was scared and feeling isolated when she made the decision to leave her husband of more than 30 years.
“I would try and fill out the (domestic violence civil protection order) paperwork and had no idea what I was doing,” the former Trumbull County resident said. “I lost my case because he never touched me skin-to-skin. It was an implied threat, and I didn’t know about implied threat back then. I was so nervous and I did not fill out my paperwork right.”
Foust, a retired deli worker, got divorced in 2011.
She was living in a church rectory with a daughter in middle school after her house went into foreclosure.
After being turned down by 27 different banks and social programs, she now owns her own home in Youngstown and her daughter is thriving at a private liberal arts college.
“I vowed that when I finally got my head together that I would help other victims,” she said. “I was ready to help someone else not be scared. Then I saw an ad in the paper for the VALU program.”
Foust has been volunteering for Community Legal Aid’s Volunteer Advocacy Legal Unit (VALU) program for two days a month since 2013.
VALU, which started in 1991, is a cooperative program between the Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court and Legal Aid’s Volunteer Legal Services Program. The program started under Judge John J. Leskovyansky.
After passing a criminal background check and receiving special training, volunteer advocates walk victims through the legal process of filing out their petitions and filing them with the Clerk of Courts. They also attend hearings with the victims.
VALU currently has six volunteers managing an average of 40 to 45 cases each month.
“We need more volunteers,” said Alicia Williamson, a Community Legal Aid paralegal and coordinator of VALU. “Mahoning County gets at least 700 requests a year for domestic violence protection orders. Volunteers should have compassion for victims of abuse and a non-judgmental attitude.”
Mahoning County Domestic Relations Judge Beth A. Smith said the presence of VALU volunteers is helpful to survivors.
“I am very appreciative of the VALU workers,” Judge Smith said. “They help the victims of domestic violence by welcoming them to the courthouse and helping them with the process. It’s not easy to fill out the paperwork, and you already have someone who is traumatized. The volunteers help victims’ confidence and demystify the process. Some victims come in right after the violence happened. Some of them lack reading and writing proficiency. These victims are distraught and they’re fearful. Even just coming into the courthouse is imposing. The VALU program really lessons their anxiety. Volunteers direct victims to my court, and we give them safety plans so they can have the courage to move on.”
Williamson said she believes more courts should have such programs.
“Judge Smith just has a heart for victims. This is something I wish would become contagious in other counties,” she added. “It is really, really essential for victims. They are emotionally depleted by the time they are at the court’s doorsteps.”
Being a VALU advocate is also rewarding for volunteers.
“When you help someone get away from a dangerous situation, there’s always a feeling of accomplishment that comes with that. But to see someone go from being terrified to free, from downtrodden to empowered – there are no words for that.”
VALU is located in the basement of the Mahoning County Courthouse, 120 Market St. in Youngstown. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Those interested in volunteering may call 330-983-2573.