JUNE 2009

VOL I Issue 1
Equal is On Its Way
To helping one child and parent at a time...
Equal started meeting in late
February with one goal in mind-to
make a difference through raising
awareness of the need of parents to
have equal access to their children.
Equal, Inc. is on its way with
programs, activities and outreach.
In March, Equal along with Mike
McCormick, executive director of
ACFC, appeared on Cox 11’s Dialogue
with WVEC’s newscaster, Lasalle
Blanks, to raise awareness of shared
parenting throughout the Hampton
Roads area.
In April, Equal’s website,
www.bestinterestofachild.com
launched. It provides resources and
tools to get you connected to others
that have the best interest of a
child at heart. (The website will
be evolving over the next year, so
keep a close watch on it.)
In May, John N. Amiral,
republican candidate, talked to
the group about shared
parenting and he encouraged
the group to continue to focus on
the mission and make a difference.
connecting u
did U know?
The vast majority of
John stated, “I believe it’s about what
children say they want –
children need, and I believe children
or wanted - more time
need and deserve shared custody of
both parents.” (John Amiral is with their fathers after
currently running for House of their parents stopped
Delegates in the 87th district.) living together. Kids
want more shared
Equal is still in need of your
support and volunteerism. If you or parenting.
someone you know are having a
difficult time with custody and equal Very young children should
parenting, please come out and visit not be away from either
us at the next meeting: June 30th, parent for more than a few
8pm-9pm, Pertlow Library, 111 West days & are able to spend
Ocean View Avenue, Norfolk. nights in each parent’s
We hope to see you home.
there!
Fathers who share
parenting are the most
likely to pay child
support, spend
additional money on
their kids, & contribute to
college educations.
-facts taken "om Dr. Linda
Nielsen,Facts & Fiction brochure
for the ACFC.

second annual nationwide fatherless day rallies

Friday, June 19th, State Capitol 9am-3pm
The Second Annual Nationwide Fatherless
Rallies is rallying in all 50 state capitols. Lobby with
your legislators from 9am to 12pm and then rally for
change in front of the State Capitol from 12pm to
3pm. Why? Because children need both fit and
willing parents as active participants in their lives.
Please join Father4Justice to bring attention to the
unfair practice of this countries
anti-family courts. Everyone is
invited. Bring the kids. After
all, this is for them! For more
information contact,
Fathers4Justice at 614.448.3276,
info@f4j.us or visit them online
at www.fathers-4-justice.us.

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 JUNE 2009

fighting the good fight

As Father’s Day approaches, I reflect back on my me unconditionally and encourage me to love my
own father, who was so strong so many years ago. At mother.
39 years of age with three boys of my own, I would Reflecting back, I am so proud of the man that
like to thank my Dad for never giving up he was then. He encouraged us to have
on the good fight. My Dad fought hard loving relationships with our mother, he
for custody of his three children back in never spoke negative about her, and he
the early 80’s when it was unheard of for sacrificed and gave up so much just to be a
a dad to be single parent with custodial Dad. He gave us unconditional love. He
custody of their children. My dad taught us through his actions that love is just
fought the hard fight. He sacrificed that-love.
that
finances, emotions and pride to fight for
the right to raise his children. This Father’s Day, I won’t have my dad with
me, but I would like to tell him thank you for
I recall walking up the court stairs fighting for me. My life would not be what it
with my dad that chilly fall day. I is today, if I had to have wondered if you
remember him looking at us and saying, “I love you loved me. To all the Dad’s who see their children not
all”. I remember him telling us no matter what as much as you want to; don’t give up, don’t give in,
happened he was there and would always be there for and fight for your right to see and love your child. A
us. I remember the judge peering across his desk at father’s love can never be replaced and once gone can
me and asking “Who do you want to live never be forgotten.
with?” (What a terrible position to be in as a young
teenager.) I knew in my heart, my Dad would love If you would like to share your fight, please send
it to shari@bestinterestofachild.com.

summer reading
This summer, why not grab a good book. Win Your Child Custody
Here are some we found worth the read: War by Charlotte
Hardwick
Divorce Poison by Richard Warshack
Witness Guide by
Divorce Casualties by Douglas Darnell Charlotte Hardwick
Joint Custody with a Jerk by Julie Ross
The Co-Parenting Survival Guide by Elizabeth Good for the little
Thayer ones:
A Promise to Ourselves by Alec Baldwin Mom's House, Dad's
Adult Children of Parental Alienation Syndrome: House: Making Two Homes
Breaking the Ties That Bind by Amy Baker for Your Child by Isolina
Custody Chaos, Personal Peace by Jeffery Ricci
Whitman

check Equal out on Facebook

Equal, The Best Parent is Both Parents is now on Facebook under organizations
in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk network. Check us out. Join the group. Share it
with others. Post. Get Connected. Stay Connected.

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 JUNE 2009

spotlight reach out help!

Local Attorney
RESOURCES calendar
Fights with
Compassion www.deltabravo.net June 30th
Board Meeting @7pm
Heather Pedersen The SPARC site is dedicated to
providing help for fathers and General Meeting@8pm
757-903-4410
757
noncustodial parents in divorce and Pertlow Public Library
2nd Floor Conference Room
custody issues. 111 W. Ocean View Avenue

Pedersen Law is a www.fathersforvirginia.org

Coming in July...
full-service law
full The goal is to cause changes in
Get Connected
firm that guides individuals and the domestic laws of our state to
empower divorced fathers as equal A discussion of our current legislation
families through the important and how you can get involved.
legal decisions in their lives. partners in parenting. The purpose is
Pedersen Law provides its services to allow fathers to father, mothers to Stay Connected
mother, and for children to receive Discuss and network with other locals
with compassion, caring and
the love and support of both parents. that are fighting for the right to
integrity. Pedersen Law provides The belief is that everyone will parent.
excellent legal services to residents benefit: fathers, mothers, INTERNET ACCESS REQUIRED
of Williamsburg and its grandparents -- but especially SIGN UP ONLINE
surrounding communities. children.
Pedersen Law was established
to guide businesses, families and LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT
individuals through the important
Local Candidates that support
decisions with a level of care and
compassion second to none. Our
shared parenting issues and who founders
need your support:
primary services include legal Thomas Hinton
representation for the following John N. Amiral Abby Hinton
family matters: Divorce For House of Delegates,
(uncontested and contested), 87th District
including military divorce, child FriendsForAmiral@gmail.com board of directors
custody and visitation, child 9547 Shore Drive Joshua Clark
support, and guardianship. (East
East Beach Shoppes Center)
Center
2nd Vice President,
Ms. Pedersen is a graduate of 757-553-1854 Legislative Liaison
Regent University School of Law
HAVE A RESOURCE THAT
and is admitted to practice in
HAS HELPED U, Shari Wilson
Virginia. She attended Old
SEND IT TO US Communications
Dominion University in Norfolk,
equal@bestinterestofachild.com
Virginia for her undergraduate
degree. At Old Dominion, Ms.
Pedersen received a Bachelor of Join Equal TODAY! board members
Science degree in Business Yearly Membership $50 Kelly Tulensa
Administration. She majored in Payment Plans are available. Nena Tulensa
Economics and Finance. www.bestinterestofachild.com
Visit her online @ to sign up.
www.hlpedersenlaw.com.

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