VoteRiders Helps Wisconsin Mother Rebuild Life After Fire
By Erin Carden
After a fire destroyed her home, VoteRiders helped Denesha replace her driver’s license and birth certificates for herself and her children.
When a devastating fire destroyed her home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 31-year-old Denesha Jauhari faced an uphill battle. The flames didn’t just take many of her family’s belongings—they also consumed the birth certificates for her and her two children, essential ID documents she needed to rebuild her life.
After the fire, Denesha and her family took shelter at the Milwaukee Salvation Army Emergency Lodge. There, she was connected to Hope House, a rapid re-housing facility that could help her secure stable housing. But there was a hurdle: enrolling required that she submit birth certificates for herself and her children—documents she no longer had and couldn’t afford to replace.
“I was just really trying to get back on my feet and get everything we need over again,” she explained.
The financial strain, combined with navigating the complex system of replacing lost ID documents left Denesha feeling overwhelmed and stuck. Just when hope was starting to feel out of reach, a staff member at the Emergency Lodge connected her with their partner organization VoteRiders, and told her they would help.
Days later, Denesha stopped by VoteRiders’ Voter ID Assistance Clinic at the Lodge and met VoteRiders’ Wisconsin Organizer DeVonte. She told him about the fire that destroyed her home and belongings, the birth certificates that were lost in the flames, the opportunity to create a new home in stable housing, and the reality that none of that would be possible without ID documents she couldn’t afford to replace. For the first time in what felt like a long time, Denesha felt relief as DeVonte assured her that VoteRiders would help her get, and pay, for the documents she needed to start over.
Beyond replacing her family’s birth certificates, DeVonte explained VoteRiders’ additional free services, including helping people obtain an ID to vote. When Denesha mentioned needing help reinstating her driver’s license, he told her they would take care of that too. With a reinstated license, Denesha could legally drive again and would have an acceptable photo ID to vote in Wisconsin’s upcoming February and April 2025 elections.
“I vote to play my part to make a difference,” said Denesha. “I try not to be the one who complains but does nothing about it.“
DeVonte guided Denesha through every step of the process. VoteRiders covered the costs of her family’s birth certificates, scheduled her DMV appointment, and even arranged free transportation to get her there. A former Wisconsin DMV employee himself, DeVonte even met her at the DMV to ensure everything ran smoothly, and covered the fees to reinstate her license.
Denesha now has the documents she needs to secure stable housing for her family, legally drive, and vote in Wisconsin’s elections.
“VoteRiders helped me out tremendously,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know about VoteRiders. The services are needed, definitely.”
If you or someone you know is looking for ID information or assistance, visit our website at VoteRiders.org/help to learn more about how we can help. For tips on replacing vital ID documents after a disaster, check out our blog.
Erin Carden is VoteRiders’ Digital Communications Coordinator.
January 14, 2025.
