An immigrant family gets a fighting chance

The Pineda family knows what it is like to fight. Ricardo Pineda served in the U.S. military for five years, including one year in Korea, away from his family. He was honorably discharged because of medical issues. Two of Ricardo’s sons, Juan Pablo Pineda and Kevin...

Despite Abusing His Wife, Diplomatic Immunity Protected Him

By: Clarissa Arevalo, Domestic Violence Staff Attorney  Annette and her children came to Washington D.C. when her husband – a member of the military of a country in central Africa – was posted to the embassy. Already a violent man, he became even more violent in the...

From Slave Laborer to Devoted Wife and Mother

Isabel and Ernesto, a young couple, first came to Ayuda when Isabel’s high school English teacher, Audrey, noticed a four-year gap in Isabel’s studies. Audrey asked Isabel about it. When Audrey heard Isabel’s story, she immediately knew that Ayuda could help....

Ayuda Helps a Young Girl

Janna is a very talkative, energetic, and confident kid—imagine your typical eleven year old. When I met Janna, she told me that she had recently joined the 100-mile club at her elementary school. “But don’t worry,” she said. “We don’t run one hundred...