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Dear Friends, Spring has arrived and Just Neighbors has been keeping busy as usual. I want to share with you what we’ve been up to this past month. Client Story The following client story was submitted by Priscilla North, a volunteer attorney who began working with Just Neighbors in March. Our 74 year-old Somalian refugee client first set foot in the with her daughter, son-in-law, and 5 grandchildren in 1997. Though we generally don’t handle naturalization cases at Just Neighbors, this client is special. She needs to be naturalized in order to once again receive Social Security benefits and Medicaid. The law requires that these benefits end for a refugee after 7 years of living in the if that person does not naturalize. In order to naturalize, a person must take and pass an English language exam and a History and Civics exam. Tests are only given in English. Our client, at 74 with dementia is unable to speak, read or write English.
Her first naturalization application in 2004 included a request for exemption to these exams and was denied. She had the right to appeal the decision. However, because she didn’t understand what she received in the mail, she missed her appellate opportunity. If Just Neighbors had received her paperwork, we could have helped her with the appeal process and maybe she would now have her citizenship. Now we must begin the application process again, and once again request the necessary exemptions. We are hopeful that this time her application will be approved. She smiles, even though her monthly income is $220. She smiles even though a fire earlier this year destroyed their apartment and all of their belonging. This client is special, though she doesn’t speak English, her smile is universally understood. </em> Staff and Board News Pallavi Rai, who is a staff attorney here that focuses on domestic violence cases, will be getting married April 22 to Tom Gullo, who has been an invaluable volunteer in setting up our Website. We wish the two of them a joyous wedding in Florida and a memorable honeymoon in Chile. We will also be glad when we have Pallavi back from the honeymoon so she can continue her great work here!
Did You Know? Most of you know that Just Neighbors provides direct legal services to low-income immigrants. In addition, though, Just Neighbors provides education and outreach to the community. Here is a sampling of presentations we have made in recent weeks. · A presentation to immigrants at a low-income housing complex about the importance of keeping documents, reporting domestic violence, and staying updated on immigration legislation. · A talk at the Alexandria District clergy meeting of the United Methodist Church to inform church leaders about how they can partner with Just Neighbors and spread the word to potential clients and volunteers about our services. · A talk organized collaboratively with the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing about the general types of immigrants who are entitled to immigration benefits. · A presentation in Korean, Spanish, and English at an English as a Second Language (ESL) class about Just Neighbors services and ways for low-income immigrants to seek help. · A discussion with the Adult Education Group at Dumbarton UMC in Washington, DC about the proposed Federal legislation affecting immigrants and its potential effect on nonprofits serving the immigrant community. We are constantly spreading the word about our immigration legal services and want the community to become better informed about issues affecting the low-income immigrant population. If you know of a particular group that should hear this message, please let us know. Volunteer News
Just Neighbors is fortunate to have so many committed and talented volunteers working with us. We could not carry out our mission without them. Two volunteers who have been particularly irreplaceable are Thierry Ghattas and Elvira Best, both of whom have worked with us since October. Thierry, a recent graduate of UVA, has been in the office 15 hours per week for the past seven months as he has been pursuing a career in international development. He has organized our client files, updated the database, conducted research, translated French, and completed countless other tasks. Elvira, who lives down the street and is retired, has put in as many hours as Thierry. She translates Spanish, copies client files, schedules appointments, organizes mailings, and much more. We are truly grateful for their work and the tremendous impact it has had on Just Neighbors. Thank you Thierry and Elvira and all of our volunteers! As always, know that contributions from supporters like you enable us to keep our doors open to low-income immigrants in need of legal services. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today via check or online at www.justneighbors.org. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Rob |
