This organization doesn’t help domestic violence victims if so then they wouldn’t discriminate or pick in choice who they help. I requested help to get custody of my one year old son from an abusive man (his father) because I had a Cps case 9 years ago they would not help me. I have been clean for 9 years and raising my 8 year old son from my previous marriage with full custody of him. This man took my son and will not allow me to see him. I have no money to fight him in court. He is so emotionally and mentally abusive. I AM SO SCARED OF HIM! I have no one to turn too. If you are a victim of domestic violence and need any kind of services these people will not help.

They don’t help victims.i listener to the therapist who told me make friends and I was bullied which is what I’m used to. I mean I’m worst off than before

Horrible organization, clearly a scam. Would leave zero stars if given the opportunity. I was refused legal help/free attorney based on the fact that I personally called CPS to report ongoing abuse of my child. AVDA stated they could not offer legal assistance to anyone that had any involvement with CPS or an open CPS investigation. The good reviews here are fake. Also VERY poor communication, unorganized, and no help whatsoever beyond the rare chance someone answers the phone. DONT BOTHER WASTING YOUR PRECIOUS TIME OR CONSIDER THEIR FAKE PROMISES OF FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE

I call this organization in January 2020 received forms galore to complete to see if I qualify for their program. Went through intake advised that the quickest way to get a divorce was to file a protective order so I agreed, not knowing that the divorce attorney wouldn’t start the process of divorce until after I file and receive a protective order. Now they cover their tracks by giving you the divorce attorney which coincides the time allotted for the order to be filled. So I get a restraining order that says” he states (my husband) he did not do it but he would agree to it. So he files for divorce that same week and I had requested from my attorney if we could sign the divorce papers and was informed she could not because she could not do anything toward divorce.So I call the attorney assigned to me advised her paralegal that I had been served. That was Friday, Monday the attorney call and said because my husband filed in Montgomery Tx she no longer can represent me. Now mind you my restraining order was served in Montgomery Tx, now 3 of the20 days I have to file a response. I don’t believe Avda represents their client, “that they have different grants with different requirements “ was told to me enough that I knew that was their primary concern. I am waiting to hear from the CEO Whois of course out of the office until Monday.If you need help don’t waste your time, pawn whatever and get an attorney.

Complete joke. Told if I fought my abuser back I wasn’t considered a victim.

I myself was raised by a single mother and my mom, brother and myself were all horrible victims of domestic violence growing up. I respect and admire what the AVDA organization stands for and does. Unfortunately though like most good things is that people learn how to abuse them to benefit themselves and will lie to gain access to generous organization benefits. They should do a more thorough background investigation before committing to accepting a client. AVDA is extremely aggressive in the court room which you would think that they would be just as aggressive with there screening process for potential clients.

I needed help to get a protective order in a domestic violence situation. They were shockingly rude, catty, and unhelpful. I ended up filing myself and it took me three days to figure out how with he proper documents, efiling, etc. Ironically the court referred me to AVDA for help. It was so discouraging to be treated this way. The only advocate I had for myself and my children was me. Even after all this I’m still not sure how to keep us safe in this situation. AVDA is not aid, it is at best misuse of whatever funds they are receiving.

My process was not easy at all ... it took us almost 4 years to complete my situation, they changed my lawyer and my paralegal (things happen) several times, they never gave up, they never left me alone, even when I doubted, or got discouraged, I was even about to give up the whole team was there, always ready to help, even when the language barrier was not easy. I am very sorry for the bad experience of other people, that is why it is important to give our testimonies so that the positive impacts more than the negative. AVDA you will always be in my life and that of my daughters. forever thank you very muchMi proceso no fue nada fácil .... tardamos casi 4 años en completar mi situación, me cambiaron de abogada y de paralegal (cosas pasan) varias veces, nunca se rindieron, nunca me dejaron sola, aún cuando yo dudé, o me desanime, incluso estuve apunto de rendirme todo el equipo estaba ahí, siempre dispuestas a ayudar, aún cuando la barrera de el idioma no fue fácil. siento mucho la mala experiencia de otras personas, por eso es importante dar nuestros testimonios para que impacte más lo positivo que lo negativo. AVDA siempre vas a estar en la vida mia y de mis hijas. por siempre muchas graciasSpecial thanks to:Cecilia Charlton ( Attorney)Melissa Salinas (Paralegal)Nahyeli Arroyo (Paralegal)

They are so helpful in so many way. They have perfect service. And thank you for your help totally make my life change

If you call second time, I see you called several times, if you left a voice mail yoy have to waite between 24 to 48 hours to get a call back. They wouldnt even try to direct your call.

I would recommend AVDA to everyone!!!My entire life was turned upside down after I graduated nursing school December 2018. I passed my N- clex on February 29th and on March23rd2019 my adopted daughters made an outcry about being molested by my Husband. I made a police report immediately and the detective gave me the number for AVDA . Myself and all my children never returned home we went to stay in a hotel room . Next day we heard my husband acquired a gun, fearful for our safety, I called AVA and Nelda Canales answered the phone, she listened to my story and gave me guidance to come in and meet with an attorney . I went in and met with Kusum Warsi, she was very soft spoken, kind and very knowledgable. Together Nelda and Kusum are a power team. Kusum is an action station, in record time she got me a protective order of 99 years approved by the court, to protect my children and I.. During this process she took the time to explain diligently to myself and my children the process. At times I would be very stressed out and ramble on and on trying to make sense of my situation, Kusum and Nelda both never got tired of listened and encouraged me and my children, we felt like there were family. I had to go to criminal court to testify and she was there as support guiding me ever step of the way. Kusum is a very calculated, competent and effective attorney. She made the entire court experience easy for me because she took the time to explain and simplify the process. Kusum assisted with filing my protective order, custody suit, mitigation and my divorce. I was blessed to have AVDA on my team, they paid the cost for mitigation, Kusum guided me through the entire process until we came to an agreement, she accelerated the process for us to get it final decree signed by judge in court. Thanks be to God in less than 1 year March 20th, 2020, the last day before the courts were close because of Covid-19, Kusum sat in traffic for about two hours to get into the court house to get my final decree finalized. I am forever grateful to AVDAs power team Nelda and Kusm. On behalf of my myself and my family I would like to say a big thank you for taking care of our legal needs free of cost as we walk through this ordeal. I know the criminal case is yet to go to trial, but I have learned so much from you both in the civil trial that I am very empowered to continue to stand up. Because of you Kusum and Nelda my family can pick up the pieces and start a new life . I highly recommend AVDA TO THE WORLD . Kusum and Nelda, you ROCK!!

Just trash

I do not recommend this place at all. If you are going thru a hard time getting a lawyer or don’t have the money for one it’s understandable why you would come to this place. But honestly there are a lot of lawyers out their willing to take cases pro bono or even cut the cost for you by 50-75% you just have to explain to them you’re story and be completely honest with them sometimes even just asking them if they can take it pro bono they will actually think about it! And they are a lot willing you help you 24/7 call, text, email. Unlike this place were you are left in the dark for months.

DONT PAY ATTENTION TO PEOPLE TALK BAD ABOUT THIS GREAT ORGANIZATION. The Att. Colter and her team are the best. The Att. Presley was very kind and supportive in any moment, she was very patient and professional with me and my case, Mrs. Vela also developed an important roll in this.I CANT EXPRESS MY APRECIATION WITH THEM...WE WON THE CASE!!! I COULDNT ASK FOR MORE.

BEEN TRYING TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOW GOING ON A WEEK LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGE NO RETURN CALL TO A PERSON NAME WENDY. ASKING FOR HELP AND NO RETURN CALL

They did a lot for my sister she even got help to continue her studies

For a place that claims to be advocates they sure treat you like garbage. If you are not going to talk to someone you could just straight up tell them you can not help in any way instead of putting someone on hold for 30 minutes. terrible way to treat someone that is coming to you for help.

SCAM ALERT! I contacted AVDA to request their help for a woman who is the victim of ongoing domestic violence. They responded with an email stating they couldnt help her. This organization is more concerned with fund raising than actually helping victims of domestic violence. This organization appears to only use domestic abuse as a way to make money for themselves. DONT GIVE THIS ORGANIZATION YOUR MONEY! ...After several months, AVDA responded to my above review. Their words do not line up with their actions.

They are so wonderful and helpful in so many ways, they Have changed my life!

I went to avda to get help in a protection order after being attacked by my ex husband. My ex was arrested for domestic violence twice. Avda saw me and had me wait 3 weeks to be “assigned “ a lawyer. I was told they would, at minimum, help get protection and at maximum help with custody case.After the 3 weeks were up, I received a letter from AVDA standing they didn’t have enough money in their funds to help my case . They lead me to believe they were going to help me and left me in a worse position than when I started. I only had one week to find a lawyer on my own with no money; because, the person who abuse me and my children for years Had taken everything.You must wait weeks to even get an appointment then 3-6 weeks to get an answer. Has anyone actually been helped by this agency? The caseworker was very rude to me when I started crying and showed her my bruises and my children’s.

Woman who was on phone giving information was rude and disrespectful. Doing that to a domestic abuse victim. Youre hurting the victim more emotionally. It seems like it scares you to ask further questions because of her sound or tone of voice.

Have no idea who theyre advocating for or how committed theyre to it. Reprehensible attitude, condescending staff, no follow ups, no updates, no replies to emails. Dont waste your time.

This was the WORST SERVICES to use if you are looking for SERIOUS help to make sure your children and yourself is safe away from your ex spouse if you were or currently in an abusive relationship. However the receptionist is ALWAYS kind but the lack of empathy and care was 0 to none with the people who are employed in the back. I’ve discussed with a lawyer they have paired me with, with supporting documents, detailed and specific messages and photos and police reports following with MORE text messages of harassment and living in danger each day after other reoccurring incidents and the lawyer advised that I don’t go further with a protective order on top of him stating my abusive ex should know where I live because I have “his daughter” but my daughter has lived with me from the day she was born and I have put up with the abuse during my pregnancy and now that I had conjured up the courage to get help legally...these people really didn’t take the time to hear nor understand considering the fact that the brand of the business is for “Domestic violence Aid to victims” please do not waste your time. I have never wrote a review for anything and this is my first time. I took the time out of my lunch time out of my great job that I just got promoted for with higher pay by the grace of god to write all of this. I’ve wasted so much time and dedication visiting this place to get help. I tried giving the lawyer a chance to get to know me and understand the situations of me and my children’s protection but he ruled out every opinion and when I contacted his supervisor to get another lawyer and how uncomfortable I was with a lawyer who I didn’t feel was helping the interest and needs for my child, she talked over me 95% of the time and claimed she had 20 years of experience in her job and demanded that I am wrong and I sound very problematic basically talked to me like she already knew the deal as if I was just “some baby momma” she didn’t even care to hear what I had to say. PLEASE do no use their services unless you are simply trying to get joint custody with a normal co parent because that’s all that they have seemed to help with, but if you have an abusive ex and you are seeking help from people who REALLY take the time to listen and help you legally! Look into other services with reviews and people who are genuinely trying to help you and have knowledge not just on physical but mental abuse such as Narcissistic personality Disorders Exes. I hope this helped someone else.

Perfect work team thanks for your total help

Very bad attention in my case zero communication with them, far from helping me in court, they favored the other part, I dont know if they are practitioners just recently graduated in good luck if they ask for advice, do not grab the Asian lawyer.