Fall 2020

Newsletter

LATIN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND

LALDEF’s mission is to promote the rights of all immigrants (with a focus on the Latin American community in the Mercer County area); facilitate access to health care, education and legal representation; advocate for the integration of immigrants; and foster inter-cultural communications that strengthen our communities.

Immigrants have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. They are less likely to carry health insurance and more likely to face job or food insecurity, and rent issues.

Since the advent of COVID-19, demand for our services has increased exponentially. Clients reach out to us for help to survive the crisis. In response, LALDEF staff continues to do what we can to be a source of information, comfort, education, legal advice, and other vital services that help the neediest in our community thrive in and contribute to a diverse, prospering society. Your support has played a critical role in our ability to continue to serve our community, even under the worst of circumstances. We thank you!

A note from our Interim Executive Director 2020 has proven to be quite a year. Changes to our way of life are evident everywhere: from the empty stands at sporting events, to the advent of face masks, to outdoor classrooms, to the ever-present need to maintain social distancing.

Changes are also evident here at LALDEF. Dina PaulsonMcEwen, who started as the Executive Director in January, stepped down from her role in June. In her farewell email, she wrote, “I am grateful for the opportunity to have met everyone at LALDEF and in our community. I see the important work you do and I am inspired by your drive to improve the lives of immigrants and all underserved people.”

I, too, am inspired by our staff and donors’ commitment to serving our community, and I am humbled and honored to step into the mighty shoes of my predecessors — especially as the challenges our immigrant neighbors face mount every day. Deaths in Trenton have doubled from the past year — the increase due primarily to COVID-19. Additionally, the death rate among Hispanics due to COVID-19 is more than twice the rate for Whites. And while food insecurity has been temporarily addressed by the generosity of local churches, foundations, and restaurants; other pressing needs have not: needs such as managing accumulated debt, avoiding eviction, and staying safe while providing essential services. With your support, LALDEF has adapted to continue to do what we can to help a community that is unused to, uncomfortable with, or even unable to be online.

The following newsletter is just a small representation of Herculean work our small staff has accomplished over the past few months — accomplishments that would not be possible without your compassion, advocacy, and generosity. Thank you for standing with and standing up for our friends and neighbors.

In Community, Lorraine Goodman Interim Executive Director

LALDEF AND LAZOS PARTNER TO EMPOWER

CHILDREN GOING BACK TO SCHOOL

On Saturday, September 13, the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, in partnership with LAZOS America Unida, and supported by a generous grant from the Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF), hosted a giveaway event. School supplies, books, backpacks, fresh produce, and information about COVID-19 and the census 2020 were distributed to more than 360 attendees. The 20 volunteers from both organizations worked to provide material to families with children from elementary and middle school while practicing social distancing and wearing LALDEF masks.

The giveaway was made possible thanks to the collaboration of multiple organizations and individuals. Westminster Presbyterian Church in Trenton, led by Rev. Karen Hernández-Granzen provided 68 backpacks, which were supplemented by a contribution from Dress for Success; the school supplies and information about COVID-19 was made possible thanks to a grant from PACF; and the produce was a donation from Rows for the Hungry.

“This is a much-needed activity to provide children from the community with school supplies, so they can succeed in school” expressed a mother at the event. “LALDEF is thrilled to offer these tools that will help provide every child with a positive educational experience.” said Lorraine Goodman, LALDEF’s Interim Executive Director.

LALDEF is committed to ensure access to education as a way to empower individuals and families, and to transform our community. We hope that the joy and enthusiasm displayed as the children and youth sorted through the numerous books, picked out their favorite backpack, and clutched the notebooks and pens stay with them throughout their educational journeys this year and beyond.

A VERY PLEASANT SURPRISE IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY What can you do when you are facing the threat of

losing your home, not being able to provide for your children, or are unsure where your next meal will come from — or when? This is the situation that so many of our clients are facing during the COVID-19 crisis.

LALDEF has partnered with the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (NJPRF) to provide economic support to families whose needs increased due to the pandemic.

NJPRF was launched by New Jersey’s First Lady, Tammy Murphy, to fight the medical, economic, and social impact of COVID-19. One of its initiatives was to provide funds to organizations throughout the state to support the most affected populations. In Trenton, the fund provided more than $100,000 in debit cards worth between $500 and $1,000 each to 110 families over two rounds. Beneficiary families shared their hope and gratitude. “It is a very pleasant surprise in this time of uncertainty. I wasn’t sure how I was going to provide for my kids now that I have lost my job,” expressed a very concerned mother of two.

The cards have no expiration date, so people can use them as long as the cards still have money on them. This allows families to use the funds based on their individual needs.

This contribution was very impactful in our community. “It demonstrates a sort of solidarity with our community and helps to shed a bit of positivity to a bleak situation” said Caty Dominguez, who worked with LALDEF’s Community Organizer Laura Mora, to distribute the cards.

Joana Mendez, FUTURO Alumni FUTURO I am in my first year at my dream college

"I didn't think that going to university was an option for me, but thanks to FUTURO I am currently in my first year at Stockton University. I am registered as a psychology major, with all expenses covered by the

Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) and I am a recipient of a Bonner Leader Program scholarship, given to students in exchange for service with local community organizations.

Both of my parents are from Guatemala where neither of them studied beyond sixth grade. Even though they wanted to support me in my desire to complete high school and become a professional, they didn’t know anything about applying to college or financial aid.

With time, Ana, the FUTURO program coordinator in Trenton, became a really close mentor to me and my mother. She had a profound influence in the way that I perceived myself and how I interact with others. When I joined FUTURO, I was very shy, but Ana encouraged me to connect with others, explaining the importance of networking, public speaking, and presenting my ideas.

I applied to 13 schools and I was accepted by 12 of them. I would have never achieved that without the support of the mentors, tutors, and all other volunteers that taught me how to put together an interview, a resume, a video, and so many other things. Because, even though I was always a good student, I lacked the knowledge and tools to apply to college. As the oldest sister, I now feel equipped to support my siblings and my cousins in their own applications to college. And, I feel empowered to make a real change in my community through service.

I would like to let the new FUTURO students know that in this program, you will learn the skills you need to succeed in your transition to college. My current roommate is also a FUTURO alumna, and we constantly encourage each other to study and do everything we need to do in order to succeed. That is the type of people that FUTURO connects you to. By enrolling in the program, you are already showing that you are determined to reach your goals. I will see you very soon at one of your dream colleges with a scholarship that will support you to achieve everything you wish for. "

Virtual Lotería: FILL YOUR CARD AND WIN A PRIZE Leticia Fraga, a distinguished member of the City Council of Princeton, imagined presenting Loterías — a popular Mexican version of Bingo — as a way to bring those living in Mercer County from different national backgrounds, cultural traditions, and economic means to interact with each other. Throughout the years, the event has taken place in various locations, including the YWCA, former poet laureate Tracy K. Smith’s home, and the Princeton Art Museum. Local businesses donate prizes and the community gets involved in organizing and hosting the event.

“There is no better way to bring a community together than playing, especially playing Lotería,'' explained Patricia Fernádez-Kelly, LALDEF’s Board of Trustees Chair. “Our version of the game includes some Princeton-themed cards, which created a common ground between the immigrant community and the community native to this area.”

Like so many other events, this year’s Loteria went virtual. Emceed by Patricia Fernandez-Kelly, the Virtual Lotería was hosted on Thursday, September 3rd, by the Princeton University Arts Museum, LALDEF, and Princeton Human Services and attracted over 150 attendants.

Welcome to the LALDEF family to our newest members

We want to welcome new members to our Board of Trustees. In May 2020, Financial Advisor Isabel Zisk, joined our Board of Trustees, followed a few months later by CPA Jonathan Lear. Both bring a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, governance, and financial expertise. Three more Board members were added in September: Miguel Centeno, Alberto Vourvoulias-Bush, and Sasa Olessi Montaño, all of whom have deep ties in the Latinx Community and bring diverse voices and knowledge.

LALDEF’S TEAM GETS READY TO SERVE BETTER

Along with two other organizations, LALDEF has received a grant from the Nicholson Foundation to undergo ACEs training so that we may better respond to the emotional needs of the community.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) training is intended to provide the tools that will help LALDEF’s staff as they interact with clients who have experienced trauma. In many cases, immigrants experience trauma in the process of migrating to the U.S. or they find themselves forced to migrate due to traumatic events in their home countries.

The training involves work with the Center for Great Expectation, which has many years of experience working with trauma survivors. In addition, LALDEF has engaged the services of Dr. Tara Chalakani, who has spent her entire professional life focused on service to others. She will be supporting the staff to put into practice the knowledge gained in the training program. At the same time, we are creating a directory of local mental health service providers, to whom we can direct our clients.

We are hopeful that this process will better equip us to respond to our community's emotional and mental needs throughout all our programs.

LALDEF relies on the generosity of our many individual and foundation donors to support our work. More than 85% of our operating budget comes from YOUR support.

Support us at: laldef.org/donate

714-716 S. Clinton Ave. Trenton, Nj 08611 (609) 688-0881 laldef.org