May Update

Client Story

"You mean you have my work permit too?" gasped Santiago when we called this week with great news for him.  Santiago's application for a U visa has been approved!

Santiago was the victim of a hit-and-run incident when he was bicycling home from work several years ago.  Santiago suffered a major head injury and was hospitalized for several days.  The police came to his bedside for help in identifying who had hit him.  Santiago cooperated as best he could, but the perpetrator was never arrested.  Santiago has not been able to work since this incident due to memory problems.  One of our volunteers knew Santiago from church and suggested that he come to Just Neighbors to consult with an attorney.

Santiago made an appointment and soon became a favorite client.  Rather than dwell on his injuries and subsequent limitation, Santiago constantly expressed appreciation to Just Neighbors.  When our office moved last September, he gathered friends to help shoulder the load; we cannot imagine moving without the help of Santiago and his friends.  Although unable to hold down permanent work, his wife and friends have rallied around him, and his optimism is infectious. 

The U visa is available for immigrant victims of violent crimes who have sustained substantial injury AND who cooperate with a law enforcement official.  The Fairfax County police were appreciative of Santiago's assistance although they were never able to arrest the perpetrator, and provided a U visa certification for us.  We knew Santiago's case would be difficult to prove, but the evidence of substantial injury was overwhelming and on Tuesday we learned that Santiago's U visa had been approved.

Now Santiago has a work permit and will have more choices in the types of work for which he can apply.  We are hopeful that with a work permit, he will be able to find permanent employment suited to his capabilities.  Just Neighbors is also filing an application for his wife.  They are delighted at the stability that this lawful status will give to their family; their children are United States citizens and now can rest assured that the parents will be permitted to stay with them in the United States.

Santiago can apply for a green card in three years; Just Neighbors will be honored to help him fill out the application.

AUCTION!

The  bidding has now opened for Just Neighbors' first on-line auction!  Click here  (or visit www.justneighbors.org ) to bid on items such Washington Nationals tickets, restaurant gift certificates, Redskins pre-season tickets, salon packages, concert tickets, paintings, dolls, books, and much more. The auction is through eBay, so you if you don't have an account, you'll need to follow the simple steps to setting one up that will appear after you bid on an item.  If you have any trouble setting up your account or making your bid, call eBay's helpline at 1-866-934-9647, option #2.

All proceeds go directly to Just Neighbors, and any cost above fair market value is tax-deductible.  Some more items will be added in the next few days, so check back soon.  Please help spread the word so that we can make this auction a success.  Good luck!

Around the Office

When people ask how we're doing at Just Neighbors, we usually say "Good, but busy!" For example, in March, we received 105 calls for assistance.  We don't have a comparable count from March 2008, but we can confidently say these calls have nearly doubled in the past year.  Of the 105 calls, 16% related to domestic violence.  34 different countries were represented.  Many of the calls did not lead to an appointment because the client needed a service we currently do not provide (such as naturalization), the client was not income-eligible (they made over 200% of the Federal Poverty level), or we lost contact with the client.  Still, these calls have been keeping us extremely busy, which is good!

Just Neighbors now has a promotional video!  The 3-minute video was made by two students in the American University class that worked with Just Neighbors this past semester.  To view the video on YouTube, click here.  You can also find the video by going to www.youtube.com and typing "Just Neighbors" in the search.

Just Neighbors is honored to become a Helping Hands agency of the Arlington Interfaith Council (AIC).  The AIC is a group of individuals and churches that address issues of social justice in the community and serve as a voice for the disenfranchised.  As a Helping Hands agency, Just Neighbors joins several other nonprofit organizations in Northern Virginia that work with the AIC and are connected with its vast pool of volunteers and energy.

Volunteer of the Month

Just Neighbors would like to recognize Sherry Mendoza as our Volunteer of the Month.  Sherry, an undergraduate at Marymount University, contacted us at the beginning of the year because of her interest in immigration issues and desire to serve the immigrant community.  Though she has a full course load, she helps at Just Neighbors three days a week by conducting phone intakes, interpreting for clients, and assisting with various projects.  She has been invaluable over the past several months--- thank you Sherry!