They say that a smile can be the best medicine, and in this case, “they” could be right. Sometimes, especially during times of uncertainty, smiles can be hard to come by, but our partners at the Methodist Justice Ministry along with some young friends in the metroplex joined forces to deliver some much-needed smiles to a very deserving family.
We at FUMCFW have a number of partners in ministry. One such ministry is our beloved Methodist Justice Ministry who helps 
indigent victims of family violence, child abuse, and neglect through legal protections and enforcement, emergency financial support, free professional counseling, prayer and spiritual support, and long-lasting friendship.
Our partners at the MJM have not stopped working during the global pandemic. In fact, they have been working harder than ever before with the rise of unemployment and more and more families seeking refuge from the increase of abuse and cases of neglect.
A lot of the work that the MJM does moves far beyond the courtroom, and often times, directly into the hearts and homes of those they serve. Sometimes, part of the work they do is as simple as creating space for a child to smile again. This story comes directly from one of our attorneys with the MJM and one of her clients, Veronica.
Veronica is a mother of six children ranging in age from eight months to 14 years. The MJM first met Veronica two weeks after her youngest child was born and after she made the difficult but necessary decision to leave the father of her children. The father has a criminal history and there was violence in the marriage — the most recent incident occurring when Veronica was still pregnant with their youngest child. The father also exposed the oldest two children to pornography and drugs.
Veronica knew she had to leave her husband in order to protect her children and sought the MJM’s assistance to help her with her divorce. She has a good job and works hard to provide for her children, but with six mouths to feed, it can be tough. In addition to legal services, MJM has helped with groceries and baby supplies to help her through the toughest months.
Veronica and her family recently moved into a new home and she is beginning to create new memories there for her children. The St. Stephen Presbyterian Church youth group in Fort Worth, Texas came to help provide light and hope to Veronica and her family by installing new playground equipment for the children to have a fun and safe play area, right in their own backyard.
Veronica was overwhelmed by their generous hearts and capable hands stating, “My children have never had a backyard with a swingset and fun activities. This is beyond anything I could have ever imagined for our new home and our new lives.”
MJM sends their thanks to the youth of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church and their adult leaders who made these priceless smiles possible.
Sarah Pricer, MJM attorney, says “These volunteers that gave of their time and talent are angels that will never realize the empowering and uplifting impact they made by working with our families.”
Sometimes, the simplest acts can have the biggest impact and this includes the tireless work of our partners with Methodist Justice Ministry. We also send a big “Thank you!” to our young friends at St. Stephen’s for being the hands and feet of Christ during these difficult days.
If you’d like to contribute to the important work of the MJM, and help families like Veronica’s, please click the button below and select “Methodist Justice Ministry” from the drop-down menu and know you are doing your part to help the most vulnerable in our community.
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