Source: nih.gov
Although life has brought Sabrina more than her share of hardship, she has never let it define her outlook. She was already giving all she could to raise six of her grandchildren when her youngest grandchild, Ella, needed a home after her mother was no longer able to care for her. Sabrina never hesitated. She knew that, once again, her family needed her.
“I’ve always had this positive attitude,” Sabrina said. “I thought once I got finished raising my kids, I was going to go on with my life. But one day, [my grandkids] came into my life… so I said, ‘Alright, now how am I going to adapt to this?’”
Having already navigated the challenges of raising her grandchildren, Sabrina knew that obtaining legal custody of Ella was essential. It would allow her to enroll Ella in school, authorize medical care, and make important decisions about her future. Without it, Sabrina feared for her granddaughter's well-being.
Without legal custody, “I think that she wouldn’t have been safe,” Sabrina said. “She wouldn’t have been in a safe environment... making sure she gets schooling or to go to the doctor, making sure she’s fed properly.”
Sabrina turned to Bay Area Legal Services for help and was connected with Family Law attorney Laura Ankenbruck, who guided her through every step of the custody process.
Sabrina with her attorney, Laura Ankenbruck.
“[Laura] put it all in a basket,” Sabrina said. “She explained the documentation from top to bottom, asked if I had any questions, if I needed more resources. I’m grateful that I was able to connect with [her] to support me with Ella.”
With Laura's help, Sabrina successfully obtained custody of Ella. Today, their family unit stands strong. Each child receives the medical and mental health care they need, and Sabrina ensures every grandchild feels loved, supported, and seen.
Relatives provide the largest safety net for children and always have.”
For Sabrina, Bay Area Legal provided far more than legal representation. It gave her peace of mind and confidence that she didn't have to face life's challenges alone.
Bay Area Legal has shown me that I’m not here alone. As long as I can reach out to them, they will direct me down the right path.”
Sabrina's positive energy continues to inspire those around her. “In my life, I have been used in so many ways to inspire others to come up,” Sabrina said. “If people look at my life today, they might say, ‘Wow...[maybe] I could do something more to build my life up and to be supportive of others.’”
Ella enjoying the swing with her cousins.
