Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund
LEGALSERVICES
LALDEF’s immigration legal services are dedicated to supporting immigrants in Mercer County as they navigate the legal systems that lead to permanent status in the United States. We are particularly focused on ensuring that the most vulnerable can secure low-cost legal aid.
WE COVER...
Filing of applications for naturalization & citizenship
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Adjustment of status
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provisions
U Visas for victims of crime
T Visas for human trafficking victims
Renewals of green cards and work permits
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Special Juvenile Status (SPJ)
In 2023, we worked on 200 immigration legal cases
In 2023, we provided 369 free legal consultations
LEGAL SERVICES
CLIENT STORY
“Yo llevo 42 años viviendo en este país. La Casa de Bienvenida fue recomendada por otros clientes. Shelly ayudó con mi caso y me sacó la ciudadanía. Siempre tuvieron tiempo para mí y nunca me dijeron ‘no.’ Todo [fue hecho] con amor y cariño. [Cuando saque la ciudadanía] era una emoción tremenda. ¡Después de esperar tantos años, fue la experiencia más buena de mi vida!” - Mario, LALDEF Client August 2023, in his own words
Translation: “I have been in this country for 42 years. The Casa de Bienvenida (LALDEF) was recommended to me by other clients. Shelly helped me with my case and I got my citizenship. They always had time for me and never told me ‘no.’ Everything [was done] with love and kindness. [When I got my citizenship] it was a grand emotion. After waiting for so many years, it was the best experience of my life!”
MERCERCOUNTYAREA
COMMUNITYIDCARDS
The Mercer County Area Community ID Card Program was started in 2011 through the One Community Coalition after identifying the obstacles community members faced without having identification. We partner with organizations such as the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Rescue Mission, and the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital to provide the ID to all underserved populations in need of identification.
The Community ID gives residents of Mercer County the opportunity to identify themselves, prove their address, and have an emergency contact on file at all times. It provides access to services at:
Municipal and social service agencies
Schools
Clinics
Food pantries
Parks
Post offices
Libraries
In 2023, we issued
2,788 ID Cards
FUTURO
Youth Mentoring Program
LALDEF's FUTURO is a high-impact youth mentoring program for first- and second-generation immigrant high school students. FUTURO provides students with academic support, SAT preparation, college application guidance, mentoring, social support, and community service opportunities.
COLLEGESINCLUDE...
INTENDED MAJORS INCLUDE..
Biochemistry
Psychology
Public Relations and Communication Studies
Business Administration
English
Health Care Management /
Nursing
Criminal Justice
Management
Finance
Computer Science
Biology
Nursing
Computer Science
Business Administration
Environmental Science
Engineering Science
Chemistry
Management in General
Business
Physics
FUTURO
Youth Mentoring Program
“LALDEF has helped shape my confidence and perception of myself. I was insecure of my academic skills until I joined FUTURO. The FUTURO Program gave me valuable experience to grow as a writer and as a student. They gave me confidence and most of all, they gave me a community.”
-Ashley O. FUTURO Class of 2023. TCNJ, Psychology
STUDENTSTORY...
College Visit to Bryn Mawr College on Monday, August 28, 2023
PROMOTING EQUITABLE HEALTHCARE
In 2023, we facilitated:
Linguistic barriers, fear, and misinformation all contribute to health inequities in the Latino community—including higher mortality rates from COVID-19. This year, LALDEF staff have been busy spreading quality, bilingual information about COVID-19 and improving access to vaccinations in our community. In 2023, LALDEF hosted 11 vaccination events, which resulted in 194 vaccinations, 106 being COVID-19 vaccinations, and 88 being influenza vaccinations.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
Influenza Vaccinations
at LALDEF's headquarters In Trenton
PROMOTING EQUITABLE HEALTHCARE
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH HEALTH FAIR
LALDEF Staff at the Hispanic Heritage Month Health Fair on September 9, 2023
LALDEF’s second annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and Health Fair drew over 200 attendees. At the event, 128 families had the opportunity to connect with 22 community-based organizations, including Robert Wood Johnson, Capital Health, Henry J. Austin, Mercer Division of Health, Mercer Street Friends among others.
Additionally, 40 families received food bags, thanks to a generous donation from Mercer Street Friends. Furthermore, 28 attendees received their COVID-19 vaccine, and 20 attendees received $25 Shoprite Gift cards as an incentive.
PROMOTING EQUITABLE HEALTHCARE
MAMMOGRAM EXTRAVAGANZA EVENT
LALDEF hosted a Mammogram Extravaganza event on October 18, 2023, in partnership with Trenton Health Team’s NJCEED program. This event provided free mammograms to 25 women with a family history of breast cancer or who are 40 years or older. In addition, 10 attendees were scheduled for other types of cancer screenings.
Extravaganza on October 18, 2023
In 2023, we also facilitated:
FREE EYE SCREENINGS
In 2023, in collaboration with Project BEST, LALDEF began to offer free eye exams for community members. This year, 160 community members had the opportunity to receive a free eye exam at LALDEF’s headquarters. In 2024, LALDEF plans to host these screenings once a month.
CLIENT ADVOCACY
Client advocates assist community members with a variety of concerns, including IDs, unemployment, food stamps, housing, and much more.
LALDEF’s Health Enrollment Event June 25, 2023
Cases in which Client Advocates answered questions about driver's licenses, taxes, healthcare, child support, and more:
Translations of birth certificates, identification documents, and more:
Notarizations of documents to facilitate access to driver's licenses in our community:
ADULT EDUCATION
LALDEF’s Adult Education Program attempts to enhance the lives of clients by empowering them through education, helping them learn and have more knowledge of the English language as well as to grow and expand in their work field. In addition, the GED diploma can help them advance and further their education; and the citizenship courses continue to help clients pass the USCIS Citizenship exam.
COURSE OFFERINGS:
English as a Second Language (ESL) courses
High School Equivalency (HSE)
Preparation
Civics Focused ESL
Citizenship Exam Preparation
In 2023, we served 300 clients through Adult Education
on December 2, 2023
“My name is Jinell, I live in Hamilton, NJ. I am from the Dominican Republic. I moved to the USA in 2010. I live with my children and have more family in the Dominican Republic. What brings me to LALDEF is because my friend was taking ESL classes and suggested for me to come and get help for ESL and Citizenship classes. Loved the Citizenship teacher Jeidy, she was great. I learned a lot. I feel like I don't have fear anymore. My pronunciation is better and I can read better. Overall I had a wonderful experience and on January 11, 2024 I became a US Citizenship.”
Jinell La Paz, In her own words. Fall 2023
The fall citizenship class goes on a field trip to a local museum in Trenton
LATINAS UNIDAS PROGRAM
Latinas Unidas is a support program for Latina women in our Mercer community, where they find the opportunity to share and learn topics designed for women. The mission is to empower them through education, information, training, fellowship and support services which build bridges with the local community.
“Gente y Cuento” June 10, 2023
A cancer workshop on February 16, 2024
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
THREE KINGS DAY
Thanks to a donation from Westminster Presbyterian Church, LALDEF was able to donate 25 gifts to families in honor of Three Kings Day.
LALDEF’S ANNUAL CLOTHING DRIVE
In October of 2023, LALDEF hosted its annual clothing drive. The clothing drive, which drew 100 community members, was a collaboration with The College of New Jersey’s Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc, which donated clothing,
BACKPACK GIVEAWAY
In August 2023, LALDEF hosted its annual backpack giveaway, where 102 families received a backpack and school supplies. This was made possible, in part, by a donation from Target and Westminster Presbyterian Church.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
LALDEF Staff at the Annual Christmas Toy Drive on December 16, 2023
LALDEF’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE
On December 16, 2023, LALDEF hosted its annual Christmas toy drive, where 69 gifts were distributed to LALDEF families.
Revenue and Support in 2022
Total Revenue and Support in 2022: $823,657
Total Assets Through the Years
Total Expenses Growth, Year After Year
*Reflects a fiscal year from July 1 - June 30
OUR SUPPORTERS
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS
$5,000+ $5,000+
Christopher Eisgruber
$1,000-$4,999 $1,000-$4,999
Jason Scott Camilo
Caleb & Prakriti Paul Chacha
Fidelity Charitable
John & Melanie Clarke
David & Elizabeth Cohen
Pete & Mara Connolly Taft
William & Angela Creager
David Dobkin & Suzanne Gespass
Donald Gilpin
Patricia Fernandez-Kelly & Alejandro Portes
Aline & William Haynes
L.K. Hoplamazian Impact Fund
Makenzie Hymes
Amy Kimura & Thomas Griffith
Christopher Skinner & Kimberly Kracman
Robert C. Kuser Jr.
Jhumpa Lahiri & Alberto Vourvoulias
Jonathan Lear
Lear & Pannepacker LLP
David Long & Alice St. Claire
Steven & Suzanne Peskin
Ellen & Thomas Petrone
OUR SUPPORTERS
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Caroline Anderson-Gray
David H. and Mary B. Blair
David Bocian
Deborah Kaple & Miguel Centeno
Javier & Pilar Daly
Rev. Louise & Michael Kingston
Rush Holt & Margaret Lancefield
$500-$999
$500-$999
Susan Fiske & Douglas Massey
Arturo & Lourdes Pizano
Barbara & Harry Purnell
PU Chapel Congregation
Hilary Brown & Charles Read
Jonathan Reischl
Arthur Shemitz
Latino Action Network Foundation
Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board
Fernando Acosta-Rodriguez
Kevon Adrian Simon
Karen S. Ali
Yadhira Alvarez
Amerihealth Caritas Corporate
David Anderson
David G. Anderson
Hope Anderson
Mark A Andrew
Meg Baoas
Elba Barzelatto
Ishita Batra
Kathleen Biggins
Martin Bloomenthal
Anna Blue
Chris Borden
Francesca Benson & George Cody
Martin Bloomenthal
Michelle and Chip Cash
Lisa Caton
Gregory Cherlin
Barbara Coe
Adrian Colarusso
Jenny & Jonathan Crumiller
Barbara Cuneo
Mary Louise Dahms
Mark Davies
Dale Davis
Edward Deutsch
Elisa Dickey
Paul DiMaggio & Carol Ann Mason
Betty Ann Duggan & Paula Mirsky
Marta Errickson
Jon Carl Lewis & Stephen Slusher
Philip B Taft
Deborah J Yashar
UNDER $500 UNDER $500
Donald D. Eavenson
Nancy Faherty
Alexandria Fernandez
Theodore & Jane Fetter
Kristine Flynn
Steven Frakt
Jane Fremon
Timothy Freeman
Michele Friedman
Peter Fontenot
Kelly Jaramillo
Angela Galan
Steven Gamboa
Thomas & Archer Harvey
Ellen Heath
John & Mary Heilner
Joanna Giustino
Noreen Goldman
Samuel Hewitt
Cynthia & Theodore Hubbard
Hector Hugo Ovalle
Judy hutton
John Zen Jackson
Sean Jackson
Will Jo
James Jordan JR and
Marilyn C Jordan Household
Landon & Sarah Jones Family Fund
Robert Karp & Linda Oppenheim
hara kang
Stanley and Adria Katz
Claire Kaufman
Sharon Lai
Melissa Lane
Julia Larko
Morgan Lesler
Suzanne Levin & Leon Rosenson
Yiping Li
Mary Lin
Rodolfo Lopez
Ledby Margarita Linares Varela
Peter Lindenfeld & Mary Clurman
Ronnie Lowenstein
Ricardo Maye
Cynthia Martinez
Ana Milagros Martinez Contreras
Wendy Matthews
Karen L McGuinness
Jose Membrano
Richard & Judy Meyer
Benjamin Miller
Sasa Olessi & Abelardo Montaño
Grace Na
Network for Good
Carol & Richard Ober
Hailey R Ochs
Tatiana Ortiz Rios
Kim Otis
Elizabeth & Alan Paluck
Paypal
Martha Perez
Christos Philippou
Lea Pichardo
Kathrin Poole
Roland Pott
Susan & Jose Quiles
Christine Rafferty
Harriett Riley
Sally Risinger
Brad and Gail Rodney
Romelina Household
Robert Rosen
Kenneth Samoil
Carolyn Powell Sanderson & George B.
Sanderson
Robert Schapire
Bruce & Irene Schragger
Stephen Sergi
Barbara Silberstein
Scott Graham Sillars
Achinthya Sivalingam
Richard Sperry
Demetrios J and Teresa M. Stamatis
caren sturges
Abdolreza Tahvildar-Zadeh
Patricia & William Tanner
Ingrid Ninoska Toledo Maldonado
Saira Yanira Toledo Maldonado
Rolando Torres
Richard van den Heuvel & Dawn van Heuvel
Nicholas Vossbrink & Rosina Lozano
Genevieve Vaughn
Evelyn Wong
Yenee Yoon
Corinna Zeltsman
Donors for the last 13 months as of January 31, 2024. If we have neglected to include your name, or if we have inadvertently misspelled your name, please accept our sincere apologies and email us at info@laldef.org
OUR SUPPORTERS OUR SUPPORTERS
... and more!
LALDEF relies on the generosity of our many individual and foundation donors to support our work. More than 90% of our operating budget comes from YOUR support. We take donations of donor-advised funds, IRA contributions, checks, cash...
To find out more, visit laldef.org/donate
LALDEF TEAM
OUR STAFF
Cecy Jimenez-Weeast, Executive Director
Rosmery Almonte-Valoy, Community Health Worker/Client Advocate
Noelia Calcano, Grants and Communitions Manager
Carolina Curbelo, Esq., Supervising Attorney
Caty Dominguez, Community Engagement Coordinator
Abigail Juarez, Legal Services Coordinator
Lili Leuck, Executive Assistant
Lorena Morales, Adult Education Programs Coordinator
Griselda Pachuca-Garcia, FUTURO Program Coordinator
Shelly Peskin, Legal Services Manager
Victor Ramirez, Adult Education Programs Assistant/Job Search Instructor
Kimberly Rojas, Community Health Worker/Client Advocate
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Pete Taft, Chair
Sasa Olessi Montaño, President
Steven Gamboa, Treasurer
David Long, Secretary
Karen S. Ali, Esq.
Jason Scott Camilo, Esq.
Dr. Rachael Evans
Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen
Jonathan Lear
Cynthia Martínez
Valeria Posso-González
Founded in 2004, the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF) is a not-for-profit social impact organization headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey. Our 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 communication to strengthen our communities.
The organization’s programs fall into two key areas: (1) immigration legal services and (2) community outreach/education, which includes client advocacy, adult education, youth mentoring and development, and more.
