AYUDA
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : l*********k@a***a.c*m
Mission Statement
Ayuda’s mission is to advocate for low-income immigrants through direct legal, social and language services, training and outreach in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We envision a community where all immigrants succeed and thrive in the United States.
About This Cause
Ayuda provides legal, social, and language services to help vulnerable immigrants in our neighborhoods access justice and transform their lives. Since 1973, we have served more than 150,000 low-income immigrants throughout Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. Ayuda’s expert and dedicated professionals help immigrants from anywhere in the world navigate the immigration and justice systems and access the social safety net. This comprehensive and welcoming approach breaks down barriers, helps those in need, and makes our communities stronger. Populations Served: Ayuda’s clients are some of our most marginalized and highly resilient community members. In 2021, Ayuda provided legal and social services to 2,800 immigrants from 105 countries. Ayuda’s clients requested services in 26 languages, with Spanish being the most commonly requested language. All individuals served by Ayuda are low-income (300% or below the federal poverty level) and many families have no income or are facing destitution. Many of Ayuda’s clients come to the U.S fleeing violence in their home country. Many of the individuals who turn to Ayuda for help are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and/or other crimes. Another specialized population served by Ayuda is immigrant children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by the parents or caregivers, and who may be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Ayuda’s Programs: Ayuda’s programs are designed to holistically address the needs of vulnerable immigrant families. Ayuda’s services can be accessed individually or together from any of Ayuda’s locations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Some of Ayuda’s services are also offered remotely, especially during the pandemic. Ayuda’s services are designed to serve individuals and entire family units. Immigration Legal Services - Lawful immigration status is the key that opens doors for immigrants to achieve financial security and stability. Many immigrants have viable pathways to lawful immigration status and U.S. citizenship, but lack the means of accessing legal representation to help them identify available immigration benefits, navigate the complex bureaucracy that controls access to immigration benefits, and present their case successfully. Through Ayuda’s extensive knowledge of immigration law, Ayuda’s attorneys assess for all forms of possible immigration relief including U visas (for victims of crime), T visas (for victims of human trafficking), VAWA petitions, and more. Many of these forms of relief that Ayuda secures for our clients creates a path towards work authorization, legal permanent residency, and citizenship. Ayuda has a more than 90% success rate in obtaining the immigration benefits that clients qualify for and that provide them the lawful status they need to succeed. Domestic Violence/Family Law Legal Services - Ayuda offers holistic legal services in a culturally sensitive environment to low-income immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking. Immigrant victims are especially fearful of reporting their victimization. Ayuda’s attorneys provide direct representation, education about legal rights, and advocacy so immigrant survivors can navigate their options, obtain protective orders, and secure custody of their children. Through Ayuda’s services, survivors can rebuild their lives and raise their children in loving, safe homes. Pro Bono Program - To meet the increased need for immigration legal services, Ayuda has a robust program pro bono program. Ayuda’s pro bono program leverage the power and resources of volunteer attorneys, willing to give their time and counsel to immigrant neighbors in need of services now more than ever, along with the expertise and commitment of Ayuda’s expert immigration attorneys and staff who serve as mentors to the volunteers and manage the clinics. Project END - Project End aims to remedy the harm caused by notario or immigration consultant fraud. Unscrupulous notarios routinely prey on immigrants who, because of linguistic, cultural, and financial obstacles, believe a notario or consultant can assist them with their legal issues. The fraudulent work of notarios can have life-devastating consequences on victims, including financial ruin, damage to a legal case, deportation, and permanent family separation. Project END provides advice, counsel, and representation to dozens of victims in civil, criminal, and immigration proceedings. Social Services - Ayuda provides culturally-specific social services for immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or human trafficking, as well as neglected children and youth. Designed to holistically address short-term and long-term needs, Ayuda’s multidisciplinary social services team empowers survivors and their families to achieve their unique goals. Ayuda provides safety planning, crisis intervention, case management, emotional support, trauma-informed individual therapy and mental health services, and support groups so survivors can achieve safety and self-sufficiency. Ayuda advocates for and connects clients to vital services such as emergency and transitional shelter, food, clothing, or medical care. Clients can also receive emergency financial assistance, baby supplies through our partnership with the Greater DC Diaper Bank, and food for families who are facing food insecurity. Language Access Services - Ayuda ensures that all of our neighbors can get assistance when they need it, regardless of the languages they use to communicate. Immigrants and deaf individuals can experience confusion and profound isolation due to language barriers. Without adequate communication, basic services are beyond reach. Ayuda provides free in- person interpretation, telephonic interpretation, and document translations for thousands of limited English proficient or deaf clients who need support to communicate with a public interest lawyer or a victim services provider. Staff also train interpreters, lawyers, and advocates on effective interpretation and translation services. Impact of the Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already dire situation for many of Ayuda’s low-income immigrant clients. Our clients were vulnerable before the COVID-19 emergency and now are at an increased risk for homelessness, food insecurity, and domestic violence. Many of our clients have reported lost jobs or wage reductions in their families. Many of Ayuda’s clients who still hold their jobs are considered essential workers. Since 2020, Ayuda has offered ALL our legal, social, and language access services remotely. We are now operating on a hybrid model. We are grateful that we’ve been able to sustain and expand some vital services, such as access to food and emergency financial assistance. Since March 2020 we have distributed more than $700,000 in direct financial assistance, 40,000 pounds of food, and 30,000 diapers and baby wipes to our clients and their families. Ayuda is committed to continuing to serve low-income immigrant communities, who now need support more than ever. Ayuda’s clients will likely be impacted by this pandemic for years. Additionally, in the last few months we have been receiving increased requests for immigration legal services. We are also seeing increased severity of domestic violence cases as survivors are beginning to reach out again as society starts to reopen. Through our programs, survivors do receive both legal and social services. Ayuda stands in solidarity with our clients and is committed to rebuilding thriving immigrant communities in the DC metro area. Client Story Tragically impacted by COVID-19, Jon lost his wife to COVID in June shortly after giving birth to their baby. This loss left him to care for their infant and his wife’s 11-year-old son from a previous relationship, while working 9 hours a day, 6 days a week. A babysitter cares for the infant and the older son is cared for by a co-tenant in their home. Jon and family were referred to our immigration legal program in Virginia by an immigration attorney familiar with Ayuda. They received a legal consultation in August. When our legal program heard his story, they referred him to our social services program. An Ayuda case manager quickly determined his needs and stepped in to help. Both father and son needed grief counseling as well as basics, such as food, diapers, and formula. Our family law program stepped in to start the custody process for our client’s non-biological son. The other challenge Jon faces is learning to take on the role of dual parent which is not commonly seen in his culture. He has a lot to learn about being both parents as a single dad. He’s doing really well and the extra support that we’ve been able to provide has him been a source of relief. One way to help him learn his new role as a single dad will be connecting him to the Healthy Families program at the organization Northern Virginia Family Services. They do home visits for families with babies and teach the parents important parenting skills like how to be responsible about shots, how to identify the needs of the baby faster, and work to connect them to programs like Head Start. Despite this tragic story, it is an incredible example of the success of our wrap-around services at Ayuda and the power of referrals in our immigration non-profit network. Today, Jon and his family are on the path to recovery. To view our full 2021 Impact Report, please visit our website at www.ayuda.com/annual-reports-financial-statements