threaded together: ilap’s 2023 spring appreciation night
ILAP’s work would not be possible without the support of our many partner organizations, language volunteers, pro bono attorneys, administrative and legal volunteers, board members, grassroots fundraisers, committee members, and supporters.
On the evening of May 2nd, 2023 we gathered at the Maine MILL (Museum of Innovation, Learning & Labor) in Lewiston for ILAP’s Spring Appreciation Event. Our event theme, Threaded Together, resonated in a space filled with nearly 100 people from across ILAP’s community.
Our annual appreciation event, this year generously sponsored by Androscoggin Bank and Berman & Simmons, is our small way of saying thank you to everyone who makes our work possible. If you weren’t able to join us, we hope to see you at a future event!
Volunteer & Partner Awards
ILAP’s strength comes from our community, and we are so grateful for everyone who works together to make our direct legal services, community education, and systemic advocacy possible.
ILAP Board President Alicia Curtis presented our 2022 Volunteer and Partner Awards. Each awardee received a plaque featuring the Adinkra symbol for Bravery, designed by Ebenezer Akakpo of Akakpo & Co..
Join us in congratulating our 2022 award winners:
Supporting Immigrant Youth Award
ILAP Hero
Dr. Alice Haines
Language Volunteers of the Year
Alby Recierdo
Marcos Pacheco Sotos
Grassroots Fundraiser of the Year
Louise Rosen
Outstanding Advocate Award
Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year
Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year
Dan McDonald
Lowell Turnbull
Development Volunteer of the Year
Mariah Mitchell
Business Partner Awards
Community Partner Award
Chelsea Hoskins and the staff of the Resettlement Program of the City of Portland
immigration exhibit & inspiring words
Museum Director Rachel Ferrante welcomed us and shared background about the Maine MILL and the museum’s current exhibit, Who we are / Who are we?. Audio recordings and transcripts from the MAINER oral history project are available on the Maine MILL’s website.
Then we heard from Araksan Egueh, a former ILAP client, community advocate, immigrant mother, and proud Mainer.
Local Food & Drinks
There was plenty of time for conversation and connection over beer & seltzer from Lewiston-based Baxter Brewing Company, and delicious appetizers from two immigrant-owned Lewiston businesses: Mogadishu Store and Jeff's Jamaican Cuisine.
