Children's Health Advocacy Project

Anika Porter credits the medical-legal partnership of the Child Health Advocacy Project (CHAP) for turning her family's life around. Two years ago, her teenage son, Dannell, was an entirely different person - failing classes, starting fights at school, using drugs and breaking the law. All of Anika's time and energy was devoted to keeping Dannell out of trouble and off the streets.

Anika Porter was taken aback when her 16-year-old son invited his girlfriend into the house earlier this month to meet the parents before heading out to a dance. Porter's son, Dannell Wise, was all smiles, sporting slacks, a tie and a vest. Porter just cried. The teenage ritual — "a little parade" in the living room — would seem commonplace were it not for what Porter considers a family miracle, connected to a partnership that pairs doctors and lawyers together for patient health...