Justice in Action: Debra’s Story

Stepping Up For Family: Why Partnerships and Sponsors for Equal Access to Quality Legal Services Matter

When DM and DB Johnson were born on January 8, 2023, their future was uncertain. Within just two days of the twins’ birth, they were placed in the care of their great-grandmother, Debra Parker, through a DSS safety plan.

Debra didn’t hesitate.

She stepped in immediately. Not only did she provide them with a safe home, but also the love, consistency, and care every child deserves. What began as an emergency placement quickly became something much deeper: a family rooted in commitment and compassion.

Showing Up, Every Day

From the very beginning, Debra has been the twins’ constant.

She has cared for them through every stage of their young lives. She fed them, soothed them, celebrated their milestones, and built a home filled with stability and care. While others were unable to provide the care these children deserved, Debra remained steadfast.

But even when love is unwavering, the absence of legal custody can create real barriers.

Without it, Debra faced limitations in accessing essential resources like healthcare, financial assistance, and educational support, all of which are critical to raising two young children.

She knew she needed to make it official.

Turning to Trusted Support

Debra was referred to Charleston Legal Access through HALOS, a trusted community partner of CLA who is dedicated to supporting kinship caregivers like her.

Through this partnership, Debra was able to access experienced, high-quality legal representation she otherwise would have been unable to afford. Even though the custody was uncontested, the process was anything but simple.

Navigating the legal system still requires knowledge, guidance, and advocacy.

That’s where Charleston Legal Access made all the difference. CLA attorneys worked tirelessly to make sure that Debra, DM, and DB received the legal representation they deserved, regardless of their status or income.

After working toward sole legal custody since 2024, Debra’s journey reached a life-changing milestone in March 2026 when she was granted full custody of DM and DB.

Now, she has the legal authority to make decisions about the twins’ healthcare, education, and future. Now, she can access the support needed to provide for them fully.

That legal recognition brings more than paperwork. It brings peace of mind, stability, and opportunity.

A Partnership That Makes It Possible

Debra’s story is powerful, but it’s not unique. It’s a powerful reminder of what happens when compassion is matched with access.

The partnership between Charleston Legal Access and HALOS ensures that caregivers like Debra don’t have to navigate complex legal systems alone. Together, we provide a pathway to stability for families who are already doing the hard work of showing up every day.

This impact is strengthened by the generosity of the AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation, whose $141,035 grant to HALOS helps sustain and expand the CLA+HALOS collaboration, connecting more families to the legal support they need.

Why Your Support Matters

Debra did everything right. She stepped in without hesitation. She provided love without limits.

What she needed was access: to justice, to legal support, to a system that could recognize and protect the family she had already built.

Thanks to donors, partners, and supporters like you, that access was possible.

Because of you, families like Debra’s can move from uncertainty to stability.
Because of you, love can be protected, not just felt.
Because of you, more families can become official.

Building a More Just Community

This year Charleston Legal Access is Celebrating a Decade of Rooting Our Community in Justice. Over the past ten years, there have been almost 2,000 client stories just like Debra’s. At Charleston Legal Access, we believe that justice should be accessible to everyone. (We hope you’ll join us at our Tenth Anniversary Celebration on May 7!)

Debra’s story is just one example of what’s possible when community, compassion, and legal access come together.

With your support, we can continue to stand alongside families like hers, ensuring that love is not only felt, but protected.

And that makes all the difference.

Want to help? Donate todayto help families like Debras’s.

Need accessible, affordable, and compassionate legal care? Get in touch.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.