This story appeared in University Hospital's 2019 Impact Report
A man of great faith, Melvin McQueen put his trust in a higher power when, in January 2019, his daughter unexpectedly passed away and he became the caretaker for his three-year-old son, Dane.
"Life stopped when I lost Brittany, but I had to keep going for my grandson," said Melvin, a former police officer who works security at Playhouse Square. "It's a struggle and a joy, but my heart's only desire is to be there for Dane as long as I can."
During one of Dane's check-up appointments at the UH Rainbow Center for Women & Children in February, a social worker referred Melvin to Danielle Gadomski Littleton, Esq. An attorney for The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Danielle is dedicated full-time to collaboration with UH and maintain office hours at the center two days a week.
With Danielle's help, Melvin secured legal guardianship of Dane this July. "I wouldn't have been able to go through the process without Danielle, and I wouldn't have found her and Legal Aid without the UH Rainbow Center," he said. "I'm so grateful to everyone there for helping us get where we are. Their kindness has touched our hearts."
Melvin's goal now is to build his grandson a support system, which includes seeing a counselor at UH. "He's too young to understand what's happening and it hurts because he always asks to go home," shared Melvin.
Click here to read the full story in University Hospital's 2019 Impact Report