ANNUAL REPORT 2023
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Dear friend,
Dear Friend,
There is much to celebrate from this past year at Immigrant Connection, but more than anything else, I want to share with you about the 10,544 immigrant families that we served in 2023. As immigration legal services providers, we often talk about services and cases and clients at our 33 Immigrant Connection sites, but at the core of who we are, we are focused on connecting and journeying with our immigrant neighbors.
This annual report also tells the story of the transformation that takes place when we stand with immigrants. And it is not just immigrant families that experience this transformation. When we journey with immigrants, our families, communities, workplaces, schools, and churches are also transformed.
To our immigrant clients, neighbors, and friends - thank you for entrusting us with your stories and sharing your lives with us. It continues to be an incredible honor and privilege to walk alongside you and your families.
My heartfelt gratitude extends to every member of this growing and impactful Immigrant Connection Movement. This report is a celebration of all of us.
Zach Szmara Executive Director, Immigrant Connection
Please take a moment to watch this video about how Immigrant Connection is making an impact in immigrant families and their communities.
www.icwelcome.org/impact
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MISSION, VISION, & VALUES
At the heart of who we are, our mission, vision, and values reflect our desire to extend welcome, love, and service to our immigrant neighbors.
across the United States.
communities can thrive.
OUR VALUES
Loving Welcome, Innovative Excellence, Church-based Expansion, Community-based Leadership, Mutual Partnership
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MISSION-DRIVEN PROGRAMS & PARTNERSHIPS
Our 2023 programs, strategies, and partnerships brought a 70% increase in impact nation-wide.
PROGRAMS
STRATEGIES
SITE LAUNCH PROGRAMS
Increase access to immigration legal services by opening new sites in under-resourced communities and cities
OUTCOMES
Launched seven new Immigrant Connection Sites across the country
Added ten new DOJ Accredited Legal Representatives through new sites
SITE SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS
Increase access to immigration legal services by investing in the health, capacity, growth, and sustainability of existing sites in our Legal Network
Served an additional 4,000 immigrants through existing sites
Added ten additional DOJ Accredited Legal Representatives to existing sites
PARTNERSHIPS & GRANTS
PROGRAMS
Expand access to immigration legal services in under-resourced regions and sectors through innovative partnerships
Served an additional 3,100 immigrants through partnerships
Expanded our reach into an additional 14 states
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VITAL SERVICES & IMPACT FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES
Immigrant Connection is committed to journeying with immigrants through complex immigration legal processes so that they can build their futures on a foundation of stability and strength.
Serving over 10,000 clients in 2023 has meant that countless families, communities, workplaces, schools, and whole regions have been impacted in profound ways.
Each year, Immigrant Connection’s vision becomes clearer:
When every immigrant family in the United States has access to immigration legal services, all families and communities can thrive.
Series1 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 2014201520162017201820192020202120222023 TemporaryStatus 30% Citizenship 24.5% PermanentStatus 206% FamilyStability 13.3% Other 11.5%
COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN OF 2023 CLIENTS & FAMILIES
AFGHANISTAN HAITI
REPUBLIC OF
CUBA EL SALVADOR
TOP
MEXICO
DEMOCRATIC
CONGO
immigrant clients and their families received services through the Immigrant Connection Legal Network in 2023. TOTAL CLIENTS SERVED Permanent Status 19.5% CASE TYPES 2023 For immigrants, maintaining and obtaining lawful immigration status is foundational to everything else in their lives and in their families.
10,544
4 Temporary Status 30% Other 11.5%
THRIVING IMMIGRANTS AND FAMILIES
After having lived in the US for over ten years, Joel N. and his family (above) continued to face challenges in navigating child-care expenses as well as medical care expenses for his mother oversees in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He tried for many years to bring his mother to the US.
Calling numerous immigration attorneys and organizations brought few answers, but thankfully, Joel found out about Immigrant Connection. Within just a few weeks, an Immigrant Connection legal representative successfully filed an immigration petition for his mother. When they were finally reunited, it brought new stability and strength to his family:
“My mother has a second chance at life. She takes care of my children so that my wife can work. Now I have more time with my family, and we can engage our community freely and without fear.”
“Immigrant Connection made it possible for my family to find stability.”
Joel N, Client, Kansas
While each and every immigrant story is unique, they all reflect incredible themes of tenacity and resilience as well as profound hope and love.
Jeff and Teresita (above) were able to build a new family through immigration legal services. John (center, below) was able to secure medical care and special education opportunities. Immigrant Connection is so incredibly honored to be part of immigrants and their families thriving in new ways.
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THRIVING TOWNS, CITIES, AND REGIONS
Immigrants and their families are an integral part of communities across the United States. Daisok and Proquila Panmei (above, center) are examples of immigrant leadership and service.
The Panmeis hail from India, and their immigration journey of nearly 25 years included numerous detours and complex application processes. This family finally celebrated becoming naturalized US citizens in 2023!
Even through their decades-long navigation of immigration, Daisok and Proquila remained vital members of the communities they were part of. As ministers, educators, and business leaders, they continue to make an impact on the people around them.
See more of this family’s story of resilience, hope, and strength here in this interview:
Immigrant Connection’s mission of ensuring greater access to immigration legal services means that our immigrant neighbors can be woven into the
fabric of our communities - and this makes all of our towns and cities stronger and more vibrant.
Erik E. (above) dreamed of becoming a US citizen for many years. He wanted to vote and pursue new work opportunities. Through immigration legal services, he has been able to do so, and now he is studying and working at his local university in Indiana. Ada (below) is also pursuing her dreams and making a
difference in her own community in Texas.
Permanent residency has allowed Ada to become a certified nursing assistant and contribute to the healthcare system locally.
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THRIVING EMPLOYEES AND BUSINESSES
“Now we feel like we belong in this country. Becoming a US citizen is so exciting!”
Moustapha P, Client, Illinois
When immigrants like Moustapha (above) are able to access immigration legal services, it has a tremendous impact on employment security and stability - benefitting both employees and employers as well as the communities they are part of.
Immigrant Connection is the only immigration legal services organization in the country that is able to partner nationally with businesses and corporations in order to ensure greater access to immigration legal services.
As an organization that is focused on increasing access to services nationwide, we are able to bring services directly to immigrant employees at their workplaces through our national legal network. Our innovative Corporate Partnerships ensure pathways to thriving for immigrants and their employers.
2023 Corporate Partnership Programs:
3,100+ immigration legal consultations with immigrant employees of businesses
2,500 calls taken from immigrant employees of partners
1,025 immigration cases filed 35+ company employee policies created or changed in partnering businesses to make them immigrant-centric
3,000+ workdays saved by immigrant employees
$3 million+ in legal fees saved by immigrant employees.
Gus Henrici, a chaplain with one of our corporate partners, shares, “This partnership with Immigrant Connection provides massive benefits to immigrant employees. The long-term impact is that we are going to have a more stable workforce because this program helps people. It is changing lives!”
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“We believe immigrants in our community are loved by Jesus. It’s our desire to build relationships with our immigrant neighbors.”
Cherilyn Horning, Church Partner
In 2023, churches from across the country joined the Immigrant Connection Movement by standing with us in our foundational core value of Loving Welcome:
The life and teachings of Jesus compel us to love, welcome, and value immigrants. We affirm the rights of immigrant families, each made in the image of God, and we are committed to seeing immigrant families thrive in their local communities.
The strategic expansion of Church Partnership programs has meant that many more faith communities have been able to partner with us. They have taken steps to become churches that are authentically connected with immigrant neighbors.
Through our Church Partnership programs, we are able to witness
transformation within churches as well as in their local communities.
Our Church Partners in Michigan and a growing number of faith communities nationwide share similarly:
“We know there is a scriptural foundation for caring about immigrants, and we want to continue to engage with people from all around the world.”
2023 Church Partnership Programs:
1,100+ “At the Table” devotionals distributed
20+ denominational, university, and church conferences and events
110+ church leaders and members participated in eight “Welcome Journey” zoom calls
40+ Church Partners served immigrant families in their communities through various Welcome Programs & Partnerships
THRIVING FAITH COMMUNITIES & CHURCHES 3
IMMIGRANT CONNECTION FINANCIALS & LEADERSHIP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Drury
Janelle Vernon
Dr. Jo Anne Lyon
Adam Estle
Omar Haedo
Dr Jim Lyon
Dr. Luigi Peñaranda
Dr. Andrea Summers
Dr. Joanne Solis Walker
Matt Miller
NATIONAL OFFICE
Zach Szmara, Founder & Executive Director
Courtney Tudi, Senior Advisor
Courtney Peñaranda, Director of Site Launch & Sustainability
Sera Han, Director of Strategy & Advancement
Autumn Gale, Director of Operations & Administration
Kristin Statham, Launch Pathway Coordinator
Carrie Afanador, Welcome Programs Coordinator
Matt Miller, TIP Program Coordinator
Kathy Drury, Administration & Logistics Coordinator
Joanna Lopez Aguilera, Shadowing Specialist
Carina Requeño, Shadowing Specialist
Emily Tellez, Project Specialist
Imke Nickelson, Citizenship Specialist
Nate Urban, Communications Specialist
Clay Crofford, Communications Specialist
Iris Straube, Communications Specialist
Brittany Troeger, Operations Specialist
Matthew Wilkinson, Operations Specialist
Biryinny Salameh, Operations Specialist
CorporateDonations 644% 2Grants 0.6% EarnedRevenue 84% IndividualDonations 65% SiteSustainabilityPrograms 445% GrantPrograms 249% Fundraising 156% Operations&Administration 87% SiteLaunchPrograms 63%
Initiatives
Sediq Amarkhil, Operations Specialist, Afghan
INCOME Grants $275,799 Corporate Donations 805,591 Individual Donations 81,418 Earned Revenue 105,306 Total $1,269,114 TOTAL NET ASSETS $1,107,800 EXPENSES Site Launch Programs $173,233 Site Sustainability Programs 493,405 Partnerships & Grants Programs 275,799 Fundraising 69,355 Operations & Administration 96,008 Total $1,436,133 9 Grants Corporate Donations Earned Revenue Individual Donations Site Launch Programs Partnerships & Grants Programs Site Sustainability Programs Operations & Administration Fundraising
IMMIGRANT CONNECTION LEGAL NETWORK
LOCALIMMIGRANTCONNECTIONSITES
IC @ The Bridge - Logansport, IN
IC, Inc - Olathe - Olathe, KS
IC @ City Life - Grand Rapids, MI
IC - Georgia - Riverdale, GA
IC @ El Camino - Greenville, SC
IC @ May Ave - Oklahoma City, OK
IC @ Sent Church - Plano, TX
IC - Greenville Multicultural - Greenville, SC
IC - Blue Ridge - Roanoke, VA
IC @ National Wesleyan - Hyattsville, MD
IC @ College Wesleyan - Marion, IN
IC @ Florida District - Tampa, FL
IC PDX - Portland, OR
IC @ The Bridge Extension - Indianapolis, IN
IC, Inc. Extension - Garden City, KS
IC @ Celebrate Church - Mankato, MN
IC @ La Gran Comision - Columbus, OH
IC in the Valley - McAllen, TX
IC @ Hart Wesleyan - Hart, MI
IC @ Awaken City - Boston, MA
IC of the High Country - Boone, NC
IC @ Path to Hope - Annapolis, MD
IC - NYC - Queens, NY
IC - Minot - Minot, ND
IC - Spartanburg - Duncan, SC
IC Mosaic - St. Paul, MN
NEW SITES 2023
IC - Wellspring - Hanover, PA
IC @ LifePoint - Waldorf, MD
IC - Pine Belt - Laurel, MS
IC - Dayton - West Carrollton, OH
IC @ Acts of Hope - San Antonio, TX
IC - Waite Park - Minneapolis, MN
IC @ Table Church - Des Moines, IA
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@icwelcome @immigrantconnection www.icwelcome.org info@icwelcome.org When every immigrant family in the United States has access to immigration legal services, all families and communities can thrive.