ILAP Announces Annual Volunteer and Community Partner Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2024
CONTACT: press@ilapmaine.org

PORTLAND, ME – The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) announced its 2023 Volunteer and Community Partner Awards at the organization’s annual appreciation event this month. In celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Month, ILAP presented 14 awards to stand-out volunteers and partners and shared gratitude for everyone supporting ILAP’s work advancing justice for immigrants and their families.

ILAP hosted its Volunteer and Community Partner Appreciation Night on April 24 at SPACE in downtown Portland, sponsored by Norway Savings Bank, Bernstein Shur, Coffee By Design, and Why Not Productions. The evening featured an awards ceremony led by ILAP’s Board Vice President Tom Douglas. Each honoree received an award designed by Ebenezer Akakpo of Akakpo & Co., featuring the Adinkra symbol for Bravery. Guests enjoyed bites from Maíz, desserts by ILAP staff member Paula Esteves, and coffee provided by Coffee By Design. The evening concluded with a screening of Abrazos, a film by Luis Argueta following the transformational journey of a group of U.S. citizen children from mixed-status families who travel to Guatemala to meet their grandparents and siblings for the first time.  

 

ILAP’s volunteer and partner awardees stand together with their plaques, designed by Akakpo & Co., during the organization’s appreciation event at SPACE in April 2024. Event photography by Junes Thete of Why Not Productions. See more event photos here!

 

ILAP honored Congresswoman Chellie Pingree with its Policy Leader Award for her leadership on legislation aimed at removing barriers to work permits for asylum seekers and her exemplary dedication to immigrant rights. “I’m incredibly honored to be given this award, and I thank ILAP for supporting my Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act. I cannot accept this award without recognizing my incredible constituent services team—Rona Sayed, Christina Starr, Dorian Cole, and Molly Doyle— who work day in and day out behind the scenes helping new Mainers navigate the complexities of our overcomplicated and burdensome immigration system. This award truly belongs to them,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. “The workforce shortage problems we have been experiencing so acutely are not unique to our state. Across the country, asylum seekers are subject to lengthy work authorization waiting periods as businesses struggle to stay staffed and new Americans are left in limbo, barred by US law from earning a living. My bipartisan bill would correct the counterintuitive work authorization process with a commonsense solution, giving asylum seekers an opportunity to live a safe, fulfilling life while giving our economy the boost it so desperately needs. I’m hopeful my colleagues in Congress will soon take up my bill, and in the meantime, I’m thankful organizations like ILAP are helping support asylum seekers in Maine.”

The University of Maine School of Law Refugee & Human Rights Clinic, Catholic Charities Maine Immigration Legal Services, and a 50+ member team of pro bono attorneys, accredited representatives, law students, and volunteer interpreters were recognized with the Community Impact Award for their support of ILAP’s new asylum assistance workshop series. In 2023, ILAP provided individualized screenings/legal consultations to 628 individuals and assisted 129 applicants in preparing and filing asylum applications through this project.

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, another key partner in ILAP’s asylum assistance efforts, was named Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year. “Fragomen is proud to support ILAP’s mission of advancing justice and equity for immigrants. Our collaboration signifies the mutual commitment and ability to create impactful change. We are honored to receive this prestigious award and grateful for the opportunity to join ILAP in making lasting contributions to our community by serving those in need,” said Director & Pro Bono Counsel Barbara Camacho of Fragomen, a global provider of immigration services.

“Asylum seekers are often among the brightest and bravest, fighting for justice in the countries they have had to flee from, and enduring great hardship to find safety for themselves and their families.  We can be honored for them to join us here in America and appreciate all that they bring to us and our communities,” said Dr. Charles Mitchell who was awarded ILAP’s Client Champion Award. Dr. Mitchell’s pro bono work as a mental health professional has proved pivotal in obtaining accommodations and legal counsel for clients in immigration court and winning complex asylum cases for ILAP’s clients.

Arnie MacDonald, Esq. of Bernstein Shur was named ILAP’s 2023 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. Arnie sits on ILAP’s Board and is a long-time member of the organization’s 200-member Pro Bono Panel, which last year donated 3,620 hours, valued at $1,156,848, to support cases for asylum seekers and vulnerable immigrant youth.

This year’s Business Partner Award went to Unum for their support of ILAP in 2023. Marty Hamre was awarded Development Volunteer of the Year and ILAP recognized long-time volunteer and supporter Ron Stegall with ILAP’s Development Legacy Award.

ILAP presented one Grassroots Fundraiser Award to Dan McDonald, who raised over $6,000 through his 80th birthday fundraiser last year. Another Grassroots Fundraiser Award was given to the Portland Food Co-op for their two-time support of ILAP through the Co-op’s Register Round Up program. “ILAP provides vital services to people arriving from other lands. We are a stronger and more vibrant community because of the work they do and we are proud to assist in their efforts,” said John Crane, Portland Food Co-op’s General Manager.

Long-time partners Presente! Maine and Lewiston Adult Education were named ILAP’s Community Partners of the Year. “We are deeply honored to receive ILAP's 2023 Community Partner Award,” said Presente’s founding director Crystal Cron. “Since our inception, ILAP has been an invaluable ally to us, providing essential legal support as we assist our community in navigating the confusing and often anachronistic immigration process. We are immensely grateful for ILAP's commitment to our shared mission and look forward to continuing our solidarity work together to address the basic needs of displaced Afro/Indigenous and Latinx peoples of Maine.” Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA) is another key partner of ILAP’s and this year, PTLA’s Family Law and Victim Rights Unit was recognized with the Supporting Immigrant Youth Award for their legal work and state advocacy on behalf of immigrant youth.

The ILAP Hero award was given to Kent Denslow, a volunteer nominated by many ILAP staff for his enthusiastic willingness to jump in and help - wherever and whenever needed. “It has been an honor supporting such a great team of people so dedicated to helping low-income immigrants,” said Kent who began volunteering with ILAP one year ago. “I am incredibly proud to be able to contribute to ILAP's life changing work.”

Together with its network of volunteers and partners, ILAP provided direct legal support and community legal education to 4,547 immigrants across Maine in 2023 and impacted the lives of many more through their systemic advocacy. “Our volunteers and partners are the foundation of ILAP and steadfast champions for immigrant rights,” said Executive Director Sue Roche, Esq. “We are proud to honor them and thank them for helping build a world where systems are rooted in justice and where everyone belongs and thrives.”

ILAP’s 2023 Volunteer & Community Partner Awardees:

###

Press Release, Advocacy in Action, ILAP News, Org UpdateILAP MaineCommunity Partners