What We Do

Sometimes he would allow the children to live with their mother, and then, unpredictably, demand that they return to live with him. He refused to contribute any financial support for the children when they were with Amanda. He repeatedly told Amanda and the children that he would have her killed if she filed for divorce. He threatened to injure Amanda if she did not do whatever he ordered.

Often calling Amanda obscene names in front of the children, the husband blamed Amanda for all his failures. Once, when the older daughter tried to defend her mother against these insults, the husband beat her, even breaking the eyeglasses she was wearing as he punched her in the head. And then, when the son tried to defend his sister, the husband humiliated and beat him, as well.

Eventually the husband ordered Amanda to move to another city and to have no contact with her children, upon threat of death. During this time, the husband also forbade the three children from texting or calling their mother.

After Amanda was referred to MJM by another client, MJM obtained a protective order for the entire family, sole custody of the children for Amanda, denial of access to the children by the husband, child support, temporary spousal support, and an order that the husband complete six months in a batterer’s intervention and prevention counseling program. More than this, MJM has helped Amanda and the children become free of this man’s abuse by contributing financially to their rent, groceries, utilities, new eyeglasses, and living expenses.

Once you are an MJM client, you truly become family. Over the years, Amanda has utilized MJM’s professional counseling, a case worker to access community resources, along with MJM helping the older daughter in attending dental assistant school.

Luckily, she was not working when he came into the restaurant; the man threatened to shoot the other employees if they would not tell him where Sharon lived. The owner of the restaurant fired her immediately to avoid the danger to his employees and patrons. From then on, Sharon lived in fear that this man would find out where she was living and carry out his threats to shoot her and her mother.

Sharon was referred to MJM by the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. MJM quickly obtained a protective order against the man and a custody order for the son, granting full custody to Sharon and denying the man any access to the child.

MJM then provided the funds for Sharon to move into her own place, including her initial rent and utility expenses, as well as help with job training. The man against whom MJM obtained the protective order is now in prison.

After the man was removed from her life, Sharon enrolled in a certified nursing assistant school, completed the course and passed her state exam. She is soon to enroll in a program to become a certified medication assistant and to work at a children’s hospital.

Although William had been diagnosed with a series of mental illnesses, his mother failed to obtain his medications or seek counseling for him. Repeatedly in the space of a year, William attempted to kill himself by jumping from a moving vehicle, and he was hospitalized on multiple occasions.

In a court ruling obtained by the District Attorney of Johnson County, because the mother had committed family violence against William, a protective order prevented the mother from coming within 200 yards of William, his grandparents’ residence, or his new school. William improved greatly while the order was in place; he had no outbursts and made no suicide attempts. During this time William’s grandparents also sought and obtained help from MJM for William’s medication and counseling.

When the protective order expired after two years, the mother showed up at the grandparents’ door, demanding to take William away. The grandparents were frantic to obtain court authorization for them to maintain custody and restrict the mother’s access. MJM obtained temporary orders that severely limited the mother’s access to William.

Shortly after his mother’s return, William’s life began a downward spiral. Eventually, her repeated threats to take him away from his grandparents and punish for humiliating her led him to attempt suicide again. Then, refusing to acknowledge her part in causing William’s suffering and deterioration, refused to visit him when he was hospitalized and refused to particulate in counseling.

MJM stepped in to protect William by terminating the mother’s maternal rights. William still struggles with his past and his illnesses, but he is much better now, and MJM still provides support to William and his grandparents through its Safe Home Program and counseling services.

Adrienne started caring for the children for days, weeks, and then months without the mom returning or even calling to speak to the children. After the children became more and more settled with Adrienne and her family, she began seeking a more permanent living situation for the five children.

After Adrienne was referred to MJM by Child Protective Service, MJM filed suit and obtained conservatorship of the children for Adrienne, giving her sole discretion for their wellbeing. These youngsters now feel very much a part of a loving, extended family that treats them as their own. Over the years, MJM has provided financial assistance for rent, utilities, food, and clothing for Adrienne and these five children, along with school supplies and Christmas presents.