Making a Difference: Anne Caywood

December 2021 Issue
Part of Pink's "Making a Difference: 6 Women Who Care" Special Section
Photography by Cassidy Dunn Photography

Anne Caywood
Organization:
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers

Mission: To provide free, critical, legal services to low-income individuals living in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton Counties.

Location: 108 Traders Cross, Okatie, SC 29909 (inside the Family Justice/Victims Services Center of the 14th Circuit Solicitors Building) and 36 Main Street, Hardeeville, SC 29927

Tell us about Lowcountry Legal Volunteers.
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has served the community for over 20 years by providing free legal services to people living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Our ultimate goal is to provide legal counsel for those who otherwise could not afford legal representation. The majority of the more than 150 cases a year that we take involve family law matters and always involve children.

We have two office locations. Our main office is located in Okatie South Carolina inside the Family Justice/Victims Services Center. We just had our grand opening on November 4 of our Hardeeville Office.

Who benefits from this program?
Our clients come from all walks of life and backgrounds—with all needing help dealing with some type of legal issue affecting their daily life.

What is your role in the organization and how did you come to this role?
I am proud to serve as the Executive Director of Lowcountry Legal Volunteers. Before this position I was LCLV’s Executive Attorney for seven years.

What brings you the most joy in being a part of this organization?
I would say my greatest joy comes from knowing that with each case we resolve, we are helping that individual take one giant step toward a brighter future for both themselves and their children—moving them from a dark place to one filled with hope. I really feel like we are creating a better future for our whole community when we help restore balance to these family’s lives.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year to feel emotionally warm.
Please share the best, most exciting, most joyous success
story that has happened because of this organization?
Jackie’s Story: Jackie was a stay-at-home mom with two sons who found herself trapped in a physically and mentally abusive relationship, without the financial means to get the help she knew she so desperately needed not just for herself, but also for her children. What she really wanted was a way out and a chance to forge her own independence and identity. Her vision of freedom meant moving to her home state, where she not only had family, but also multiple opportunities. But how could she finally break free from this terribly abusive relationship, obtain full custody of her boys and regain financial stability to make the move and get her and family back on their feet?
This is an all too familiar story. There are so many people just like Jackie who suffer in silence and are unable to break free from the cycles of violence and chaos.
Fortunately, our team was there for Jackie and her two boys when they needed us most. Our Executive Attorney, Anne Marie, represented her in court and immediately obtained child support and spousal support on a temporary basis. Next came mediation where we successfully negotiated a settlement that included custody of the two boys, child support and spousal support, giving Jackie the ability to move and pursue a professional chef’s position. That day, like so many others, we saw our client’s tears of joy when she realized she had taken back her life and gained a future that was brighter for her family.

Tell us the most important thing people should know about
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers:
People should know that Lowcountry Legal Volunteers is here for them regardless of whether they need a little help or a lot of help. And, that if they become a client, they will have the peace-of-mind knowing our team will do everything we can to achieve a successful and positive outcome for both them and their children.

How can people get involved, help, donate,
or volunteer with Lowcountry Legal Volunteers?
LCLV is a volunteer-based organization with four paid staff and a team of around 15 volunteers who are the heart of our organization. These volunteers are retired attorneys, administrative professionals, and paralegals. We are always in need of volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering? Please call our office at 843-815-1570 or go online to lowcountrylegalvolunteers.org to fill out an online application.It’s so easy to support us. Just go online at lowcountrylegalvolunteers.org.