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Social Justice Charity Partner Selection 2019-2021

Legal Aid Services of Collier County

August 3, 2018

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples

6340 Napa Woods Way

Naples, FL 34116

Re: UUCGN Social Justice Partnership Grant Application by Legal Aid Service of Collier County

Dear Unitarian Universalist Congregation and Social Justice Committee members,

Kindly accept this letter and the enclosed materials in support of the Social Justice Grant Partnership Application submitted by Legal Aid Service of Collier County (‘LASCC’) for the 2019 grant term.

LASCC is a private, non-profit law firm providing free legal services to more than 3,300 clients in need annually in Collier County who face a legal matter of life changing significance who cannot afford an attorney.  Our lawyers are extraordinarily dedicated to serving the poor, the vulnerable and those at-risk living in our community to keep them safe, healthy, and to enable them to meet basic needs.

The grant application by LASCC seeks to bolster our capacity to address the emergent legal needs of Immigrants living in Collier County and our Immokalee office.  Specifically, we seek $15,000 in annual partnership funding to help to retain a key employee – an Immigration law paralegal who has served local immigrants for 20 years – and to deploy this paralegal in a manner in 2019 which will allow LASCC to more swiftly and efficiently process emergent applications for assistance by immigration clients in need.  This support is vitally needed, as very little traditional grant funding sources prioritize legal assistance to undocumented immigrants or their family members.

Many local immigrants and their family members live in crisis at this time, and conditions are projected to get worse in 2019 when demand for LASCC’s services is projected to spike.   Undocumented immigrants continue to be targeted aggressively for pickup and removal by ICE and local law enforcement under 287(g) enforcement powers as policies have radically changed, tearing families apart through separation or deportation.  Furthermore, DACA and TPS recipients will face the loss of their work authorizations and driver’s licenses, and many asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors fleeing danger from abroad will flood Immigration Courts seeking help in greater numbers.

LASCC and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation share many common values and goals, and the project for which funding is sought reflects several – a commitment to human rights, equal justice for all, and upholding the dignity and right to security of all people regardless of their status.  Thank you for your gracious consideration of our grant request.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey A. Ahren, Director of Development, Legal Aid Service of Collier County

Checklist of items attached:

Cover letter

Cover sheet

Proposal Narrative (3 pages)

Organization Budget

Project Budget

List of Board Members

Brief description of key staff – Bio of Ana Rivera, Immigration law Paralegal

Organization Chart - LASCC

Financial Statement – audited

Balance Sheet

990 IRS Filing

IRS determination letter

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View the complete application from Legal Aid Services of Collier County

(The application is in the "Restricted Documents" box in the Members Only section of this website.)