When Help Feels Out of Reach, Hope – and Free Legal Support – Steps In

When The Salvation Army’s William Booth Legal Aid Clinic meets someone like Oriana Clark, it’s often one of the most difficult times of their life. For Oriana, that moment came after years of marriage ended in separation, uncertainty and emotional hardship. 

After 26 years, her husband left their home and never returned. Oriana wasn’t working because of a car accident that seriously injured her back. Left without steady income and unable to afford an attorney, she felt stuck. “I was in distress,” Oriana said.  

A recommendation from a friend led her to the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic—a free resource many people don’t realize exists. That call changed everything. 

From the start, Oriana says she felt supported. The clinic’s attorneys didn’t just guide her through the legal process—they stood beside her. “I felt like they were in my corner,” she said.  

With their help, Oriana was able to navigate court proceedings, understand unfamiliar systems like virtual hearings, and ultimately finalize her divorce. In a time when everything felt overwhelming, the clinic provided clarity, compassion and stability. 

“They helped me get through what I was going through,” she said.  

The William Booth Legal Aid Clinic exists for people just like Oriana—individuals and families who need legal help but can’t afford it. From family law matters like divorce to housing and landlord-tenant issues, the clinic works to ensure that access to justice isn’t determined by income. 

Today, while Oriana continues to rebuild her life, she’s grateful for the support that helped her take the first step forward. “If I hadn’t reached out, I don’t think I would’ve made it through,” she said.  

If you are facing a legal issue and cannot afford an attorney, please contact the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic by filling out this online form.  

And if you’d like to support this life-changing work, join us for the upcoming Walk for Justice fundraiser on Saturday, May 9 at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. Together, we can help more individuals like Oriana find hope, stability and a path forward.