April 2022: Eka Fleming
Eka Fleming is an all-star GSA volunteer. A wife and mother of three kids, Eka works full-time as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Business, IT and Resource Management at the US Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to these significant leadership roles, Eka devotes substantial time serving as a leader of the Good Samaritan Advocates team.
Currently, Eka serves as the Co-Clinic Director at GSA’s Columbia Baptist clinic in Falls Church, as well as GSA Board Treasurer. It is no stretch to say that GSA would not exist in the way that it does without Eka’s time, talent and treasure!
Below are some excerpts from an interview with Eka about her background, including why GSA’s mission is personal to her and why empathy drives her choice to dedicate so much time to GSA.
On how her own story helps her see the importance of GSAs work
After I became a single mom shortly after graduating from law school, I personally experienced what it felt like to have to deal with the courts without a lawyer’s help. I had to navigate the court system alone in order to get child support and the other party could afford a lawyer. Despite my legal training, I was often overwhelmed with the whole process. I joined GSA so that I could help others feel less alone as they face legal challenges.
On how working with GSA has impacted her
As I’ve worked with people who are facing great challenges, who are afraid, who are sometimes without hope, I’ve experienced over and over again the difference the Holy Spirit can make in what feels like an impossible situation. As we listen, give advice (both legal, practical, and spiritual), and pray with our clients, God is always there, He’s always moving and I’ve seen the change that happens even during that short time. My faith has been strengthened beyond measure.
On what she believes is the church’s role in justice
The Bible’s mandate could not be more clear: It is the church’s role to further justice here on earth, to serve the vulnerable, the widow, the immigrant, and the poor. And as we show God’s love, we will lead others to Christ.
I love the way we provide our services, which involves 2 or 3 lawyers and paralegals meeting with a client. We meet them where they are, we treat them with dignity and respect, and we share Christ’s love.
On her own background
I am from a small town in north central Pennsylvania. I moved to the D.C. area for law school in 2007 and then stayed to work for the federal government at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. I have BA in politics and a BS in Business Administration from Washington and Lee University and a J.D. from Georgetown, and I am barred in the state of Virginia. Although I had planned to go into business law, due to the economic crisis, I ended up taking a non-legal federal government job instead. I ended up really loving what I was doing but I wanted to find some way to use my law degree so I was excited to find GSA through my church, Columbia Baptist in Falls Church. Currently, I live in Fairfax with my husband Chris and my 3 children Jeffery, Matthew, and Isabelle.
On why you should support GSA
We need you! The vulnerable need you. Your gift will not be in vain. There is such a great need in providing legal services. As proud as I am to live in this country, it is impossible to deny the disparate outcomes that exist for those who can afford an attorney and those who can’t. And because we are Christian legal aid, you are not just supporting free legal aid, but a ministry that lifts up people who are struggling and helps them to find hope.
On what the future of GSA could look like
In 5 or 10 years I’d want the heart of GSA to be the same as it is now: passionate about closing the Justice Gap and sharing Christ’s love. And I am believing God that 5 or 10 years from now the reach of GSA will have grown so that we can help more people and change lives in Jesus’ name.