How Julie Sued Her Landlord – and Won
When Julie Heston was in danger of falling behind on bills after shoulder surgery during the Covid pandemic in 2021, she was able to obtain four months rental assistance through the Community Action Center (CAC) in Pullman. Her landlord, Ed Christensen, was irate. He made clear that he had no intention of participating in any […]
A Stranger Tried to Steal Sheridan Skelly’s Home. NJP Fought Back—and Uncovered a $28 Million Scheme
NJP’s Foreclosure Prevention Unit uncovered a scheme in which co-conspirators used legal loopholes to take control of about 200 estates of deceased strangers, selling at least 90 inherited homes worth over $28 million. NJP tracked suspicious probate filings and brought its findings to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, which sued.
Meet Our People – A Board Member’s Story of Survival and Service
The first morning Jordan Landry woke up in a domestic violence shelter surrounded by the woods, she took a deep breath. She finally felt safe. That safety came after years of surviving severe abuse while living as a military spouse. Her abuser controlled everything—finances, technology, even tracking her location. But she didn't yet have words […]
Evicted from the Home I Owned
In 2018 my now ex-husband and I decided to rent-to-own a one-bedroom one-bathroom house in Electric City. I was working full time as a cashier at a gas station. We used his mother's inheritance to put down a large down payment and began making monthly payments. Then in 2020, I had two major strokes. I […]
Ed Fought for His Home Title for Seven Years
A 67-year-old mobile park resident in rural Washington waited seven anxious years to receive his title, despite repeated promises from park management. With legal help from NJP attorneys, Ed finally secured his title and his peace of mind – but only after potential legal action forced the park owners to produce it.
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Alan: An Army Veteran’s battle for recognition and benefits
During the Vietnam War, I was assigned to a secret base in Thailand used by the Air Force and the Army. The entire base was built on jungle that had been torn down and burned up with Agent Orange. That toxic exposure is the reason for my health problems: heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Sleep disorders. I fight in my sleep–I’m still at war. I’ve had depression and PTSD for over 20 years.
But the military said the base didn’t exist, and that I had no service record with toxic exposure.
Rachel*: NJP is a Rock for Women Survivors of Domestic Violence
My journey with Northwest Justice Project (NJP) started after one of the most traumatic experiences in my life. Years of psychological, emotional, and financial abuse from my husband and the father of my two children had progressed to sexual assault. My therapist referred me to an organization called LifeWire. It helped me make an appointment […]
Melanie: Protecting a Child through Legal Guardianship
I was just five years old when I entered the foster care system with my older brother by my side. In 2007, I was adopted by a family in Spokane, but my brother was sent to an all-boys group home designed to ‘straighten out’ wayward youth. It stripped away his childhood and he was propelled into the vicious cycle of juvenile detention centers until he turned 18 years old.
A Protection Order Can Save a Life
Introduction In 2024, Northwest Justice Project aided 216 people in obtaining Domestic Violence Protection Orders and protective parenting plans. One of these people was Romey, whose partner sexually assaulted and nearly killed her. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and in sharing her story our goal is to honor all survivors, their courage and perseverance. […]
Deanna: Caught Between Two ‘Landlords’
When my dad was placed on hospice care, I found a house that would be suitable for myself, my dad, and my three stepchildren. I signed the lease, and we moved in. The owner of the house didn’t live in the area and had enlisted the next-door neighbor to serve as “the landlord.” While this […]