This week a client sent Just Neighbors a colorful card with a grinning cat on the front.  The card read:

“05/21/08  THANK YOU!!!  Dear Allison. Dear Karen.  I can’t tell you how much I was delighted when I receive your GOOD NEWS letter.  I am sure, had it been not with your help I wouldn’t have been able to get that invoice cancelled.  I would like to use this opportunity to express my heart felt appreciation!  God bless you, Your family, and Your organization.”

Mr. Gaut, from Ethiopia, had called Just Neighbors in early April.  He had received asylum the year before because he was persecuted in his homeland.  He petitioned to bring his wife and three children to join him in the United States.  But instead of using the form for this purpose that is free to asylees, he used a different form that had a fee and that also would mean a much longer wait for his family (at least five years longer).  When he realized his mistake, he called Immigration and asked how to withdraw the application.  He also asked if he could stop payment on the check.   He was told to write a letter to withdraw the application and to stop payment on his check.  Mr. Gaut called Just Neighbors because Immigration was later insisting that he pay $385, a hefty fee for someone earning less than $20,000 per year and supporting his wife and three children abroad.

The attorneys at Just Neighbors reviewed the information, but did not have the time to take on the case.  But Karen, Just Neighbors’ Volunteer of the Month in April, agreed to meet with the client and write a letter of explanation to Immigration.  Solely because of our reliable volunteers, Just Neighbors was able to help someone who otherwise we would have had to turn away.

By April 25^th, we had a letter from Immigration saying “The invoice has been cancelled.  You are no longer responsible for this debt.”  We wrote “Good News!” on a post-it note and placed it on the letter to mail to Mr. Gaut.  He is correct; he probably could not have been able to get that invoice cancelled without the help of Just Neighbors.  And the help of Just Neighbors is not possible without the countless hours that volunteers give so generously.

Volunteer of the Month

Just Neighbors relies on the volunteer services of many translators and interpreters to assist in our work.  One such individual who has helped significantly over the past month is Bill Barbieri, who is fluent in Spanish.  Bill has interpreted over the phone and in-person, and translated numerous written statements as well.  Much of Bill’s assistance has been with Spanish-speaking women who have lived with domestic violence and must submit a testimonial of their experiences.  These stories are often complex and disturbing, and Bill’s experience and professionalism has enabled Just Neighbors to present compelling cases to Immigration so that these women can gain legal status in the U.S. apart from their abusers.  We are proud to name Bill our Volunteer of the Month.

If you or anyone you know might be available for translation or interpretation in Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, Hindi, French, Farsi, or other languages (even if via telephone or Internet), please let me know and we can add you to our list of volunteers.  Thank you!

Around the Office

Just Neighbors is thrilled to receive notification that its largest funder, Fairfax County, will increase funding to us over the next two years.  Just Neighbors will receive $69,000 each of the next two fiscal years to achieve the outcomes of family unification, escape from situations of domestic violence, authorization to work, and more. 

Just Neighbors received a grant from the Verizon Foundation for the third consecutive year to support our work with immigrants who have experienced domestic violence.

We appreciate the generosity of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington, which gave a tithe to Just Neighbors from its April 13^th offering.  We also are grateful for a generous donation from Immanuel Presbyterian Church in McLean.  We always appreciate the generosity of churches who wish to serve the immigrant community by supporting our work.

You can make an on-line tax deductible donation to Just Neighbors today by visiting www.justneighbors.org .

Thank you,

Rob Rutland-Brown

Executive Director

Just Neighbors