By Lula Hall
——- Supporting Tenants Through a Difficult Time
I am a volunteer at Eviction Court in South Bend on Mondays. The other volunteers I work with generously give their time to support individuals facing eviction. I am extremely grateful for their dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping others.
Our volunteers serve as navigators and advocates, helping tenants understand the court process and connecting them with available resources. We have two shifts for volunteers on Mondays: 8-11 AM and 1-3 PM.
PROVIDING ACCESS TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE
We have an attorney available to assist tenants who have legal issues, questions, or concerns before they appear before the judge. As volunteers and navigators we ask whether they would like or need to speak with the attorney. When they do, we help by completing the appropriate paperwork and connecting them with the attorney.
This service is particularly important because there is often a significant imbalance between the landlords and the tenants in eviction proceedings. Nearly all landlords arrive with experienced legal representation or property management professionals who understand the law and court procedures. Many tenants, however, appear without representation and may not understand what is happening, what their rights are, or what resources may be available to them. For an individual facing the possibility of eviction, this lack of knowledge and representation can be overwhelming.
CONNECTING TENANTS TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Recently, a social worker joined us to provide additional assistance when a tenant needed support. Together, the volunteers, attorneys, and social worker help create an important bridge between vulnerable tenants and a complicated legal system.
A LIFELINE DURING A CRISIS
My presence at Eviction Court has taught me that we’re not simply distributing information—-we’re sometimes providing a lifeline to someone who feels as though they are drowning in fear and uncertainty. For many people walking into Eviction Court, this may be one of the most stressful, frightening, and overwhelming days of their lives. They are facing the possibility of losing their home, stability, belongings, their sense of security, and overall their peace of mind. Court proceedings can move quickly and may be intimidating, especially for someone who has never experienced the process before.
THE HUMAN IMPACT
I have seen tenants who genuinely believe they may be on the street the following day. In those moments, helping is about more than just giving paperwork or procedures. Sometimes we give someone hope. Sometimes we offer a hug, and sometimes we simply take a moment to look them in the eye and listen to their STORIES. AND REMIND THEM “they matter too.”
WHY I VOLUNTEER
I volunteer because I believe in helping people when they need it most. At the court we have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by connecting tenants with Information, legal assistance, social services, and other resources.
Our goal is not to solve every problem. Rather, it is to help people understand their options, access available resources, and navigate a system that can otherwise feel confusing and overwhelming.
IF YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR HELPING PEOPLE AND SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY, WE WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS.
You can volunteer by emailing cf@communityforumforeconomicjustice.org
Lula, you were my mentor at the onset of volunteering at the eviction court. It continues to be how I am in those hours at the courthouse! Thank you.
You’ve described so well what we do as volunteers. Additionally, you’ve placed a focus on the vulnerable folks we help on those days and portrayed how we accompany them.
Being with the individuals and families who are facing grave loss has allowed me to enter a world of dispossession and come to understand their personal sufferings but also what structures are in place that facilitate this.