Austin, Texas and surrounding Central Texas communities | Proposed fundraising goal: $100,000
No woman should have to choose between protecting her children, defending her legal rights, and keeping a roof over her family’s head.
House of Joanna Foundation is developing Equal Justice, Stronger Families, a non-religious charitable initiative designed to help financially vulnerable women facing divorce and child custody proceedings. The program focuses on women experiencing significant financial disparities with a spouse or former spouse, particularly when repeated legal proceedings create barriers to representation and threaten household stability.
Legal aid and pro bono services exist in Central Texas, but eligibility limits, attorney availability, and case complexity can leave some families without sufficient support. This initiative seeks to address that gap by combining needs-based legal expense assistance with temporary help for housing, food, and essential living costs.
Assistance with reasonable attorney fees, retainers, filing fees, mediation, consultations, and necessary case-related expenses. Where practical, payments will be made directly to licensed providers.
Short-term, needs-based help with rent, essential utilities, or temporary housing to reduce displacement risk during proceedings.
Limited emergency assistance for groceries, transportation, childcare, and essential household needs.
Connections to existing legal aid, community services, financial education, and budgeting resources.
The program is intended for women experiencing documented financial hardship during divorce or custody proceedings, including substantial resource imbalances, difficulty obtaining necessary representation, or risk of housing or food insecurity. Eligibility will be determined using objective criteria, documented need, available funds, and appropriate conflict-of-interest safeguards.
Program area | Allocation |
Legal representation and court expenses | $60,000 |
Emergency housing assistance | $20,000 |
Food and essential living expenses | $10,000 |
Resource navigation and financial education | $5,000 |
Program administration and accountability | $5,000 |
Total | $100,000 |
The initiative is intended to operate as a non-religious charitable program. Services will not require religious participation or affiliation. The foundation plans to use documented financial-need assessments, protect participant privacy, maintain records of expenditures, and adopt transparent beneficiary-selection and payment procedures. Program design and eligibility will be reviewed for compliance with applicable charitable, tax, and donor requirements before funds are disbursed.
Financial power should not determine whether a parent can participate meaningfully in proceedings that shape her family’s future. Donations can help reduce immediate barriers to legal access while preserving housing, nutrition, and dignity for women and children in need.
Help us advance equal access to justice and stronger family stability.
Equal Justice. Stronger Women. Stronger Families.
Publication note: This is a proposed program. Launch, fundraising platform approval, eligibility rules, and availability of assistance remain subject to organizational and legal review.
