FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Philadelphia, Pa – April 29, 2021. JOIN US for this virtual event on Thursday, May 13th, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Esperanza Immigration Legal Services (EILS), the only immigration legal services non-profit in North Philadelphia, will host its virtual fundraising event, Celebrating Hope for New Citizens, on Thursday, May 13th at 5:30 pm EST.
Celebrating Hope for New Citizens will recognize more than a decade of EILS’ transformative work and the many supporters who are mobilizing to make citizenship possible through the Hope for New Citizens giving campaign – first launched in the fall of 2020.
EILS’ services empower primarily low-income immigrants to overcome barriers to becoming U.S. Citizens. Nearly 70% of those eligible to naturalize became so more than 15 years ago (The Road to Naturalization: Addressing the Barriers to U.S. Citizenship, 2016). Yet thousands who are eligible to naturalize each year do not do so, because of linguistic, financial, and other barriers.
“The immigrant community has been one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 from both a health and employment standpoint,” said EILS Board Chair Michael Malvey, “making the need for low-cost immigration legal services more important than ever. EILS’ work is unique because of its trusted place in the immigrant community, both in geography and reputation. The funds raised for EILS’ naturalization services will be put to good use to help many immigrants overcome barriers to citizenship.”
The event will feature a Q&A about how to support immigrants in our communities with Peter Gonzales, Esq. of The Welcoming Center, EILS Civic Impact Honoree, and Sondra Miller-Wein of Immigration Law Options, LLC, EILS Champion Honoree, who will be recognized for their influential work to improve the lives of immigrants in our region; as well as a performance by the multi-disciplinary artist, cellist, violinist, and songwriter Daniel de Jesús and a special message from Quiara Alegria Hudes, Pulitzer Prize winner, American playwright, lyricist, and essayist.
6abc News’ Walter Perez will host the event.
Guests will have the opportunity to join EILS in securing a match contribution for their services by giving during the event from the New Americans Campaign. Special thanks to early leading sponsors Galfand Berger, LLP and McKenna Snyder LLP.
To register or donate, visit www.esperanza.us/event/hope-for-new-citizens.
#HopeforNewCitizens on social media, @Esperanza_US on Facebook and Instagram.
For media inquiries, please contact Samantha Martinez at (646)-737 3862 or smartinez@esperanza.us.
The Road to Naturalization: Addressing the Barrier to U.S. Citizenship (2016, September 16). “Celebrating Hope for New Citizens” To Raise Vital Support for Philadelphia’s Only Immigration Legal Services Non-Profit in North Philadelphia [Press Release]. Available at: https://www.newamericanscampaign.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/The-Road-to-Naturalization.pdf
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About Esperanza Immigration Legal Services: EILS, a non-profit 501(c)3, was established in 2009 with the mission to provide direct legal services, advocacy, and community education for underserved immigrants and their families so they have the opportunity to contribute to and participate in U.S. society. EILS delivers non-litigation legal services, including naturalization, green card renewal and applications, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), family petitions, and humanitarian visas, as well as educational workshops and referrals.
EILS was established by Esperanza as part of its mission to strengthen Hispanic communities and commitment to forging an “opportunity community” in North Philadelphia – a place where all aspire to live. Visit esperanza.us/eils/ for more information.