The Desiree

Desiree* grew up in West Virginia and came to New York at the age of 19. She was a nurse for over 60 years. She has a large beautiful family, and loves cooking for them.

Due to her ex-husband, Desiree was in debt. She wanted to take out a loan on her home to pay off the debts. Her daughter knew someone in real estate. The woman, Ms. Grace, earned Desiree's trust over multiple conversations, dinners, and visits to church. Ms. Grace convinced Desiree to have Ms. Grace’s friend Jason sign on the loan with Desiree, since he had a high credit score, and then once they got the loan, he would take his name off. Desiree trusted Ms. Grace and agreed.

A year later, Desiree started getting notices about different loans from a bank. She found out that Jason did not remove his name, had taken out more loans and used her house as collateral, before selling her home to one of Ms. Grace’s relatives. Desiree was unable to get in touch with Ms. Grace after that.

That’s when JASA’s Legal Services for Elder Justice (LSEJ) lawyers took on the case. It was complicated: there were three different cases, including two foreclosure cases and a case to restore title back to Desiree. The process took years. After multiple court dates and appeals, JASA’s team of lawyers helped Desiree - she will finally get back the house in her name. Finally, all the mortgages that the scammers had taken out on her home – stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars - have been voided.

JASA’s Legal Services for Elder Justice provides assistance to older adults on issues related to housing, evictions, and foreclosures, fraud and scam prevention, and elder abuse intervention. Attorneys work hand-in-hand with social workers as part of our innovative, interdisciplinary, and nationally recognized team approach to combat elder abuse and exploitation.

These earrings are handmade with love and care by JASA seniors. Treat yourself today and support older New Yorkers!