Left to right: Elizabeth Diaz, Maria Salguero, Marybeth Carty, Billi Jo Starr, Leandra Harris Maria Salguero, Staff Attorney for ILDC, described assisting indigent immigrants through the unfamiliar and often confusing procedures and requirements for gaining legal residence. Immigrants are often traumatized, isolated, non-English speaking, have few resources, and need both social and legal services. The problem is exacerbated when the client is an unaccompanied minor. That’s where ILDC steps in – the agency provides defense for immigrants facing removal, asylum seekers, and unaccompanied children, and provides community education on basic civil rights. A 2022-2023 Women’s Fund grant allowed the addition of social services to the mix, a pilot program geared toward the hundreds of unaccompanied immigrant children who arrive in Santa Barbara County every year. An earlier grant provided partial funding for the staff attorney’s salary. ILDC is representing 201 clients currently. Low-income and other vulnerable county residents experiencing difficulties with housing, abuse, violence, consumer protection, and other situations can seek equal access to justice from the Legal Aid Foundation, a nonprofit civil law firm. Legal Director and Managing Attorney Elizabeth Diaz described how LAF provides free legal information and advice, assistance with the preparation of legal documents, representation in court proceedings, community education and immigration assistance for victims of crimes. A Women’s Fund grant allowed LAF to hire a bilingual legal assistant, focusing on the legal needs of people who have experienced intimate partner violence, as well as elder abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and enabling attorneys to work with 60 additional clients. County youth who find themselves in detention centers can find a caring group of mentors and counselors in F4Y. Executive Director Billi Jo Starr, PhD, and Program Director Leandra Harris shared some of the root causes that lead to youth getting into trouble. They described F4Y efforts to support educational success, provide job skills training, find mentors to help youth through difficult times and decisions, encourage community service, and reduce recidivism. F4Y received a Women’s Fund grant that helped establish the “Fem-powerment” program, targeted to girls and young women aged 9 to 20. The program is designed to help give adolescent girls the skills they need to repair self-esteem, practice effective communication, develop healthier relationships, and take control of their lives; in 2023 they have served a total of 468 young people to date. Women’s Fund member Marybeth Carty moderated a panel discussion and asked the speakers to dream big and share their visions. High on their lists are increasing the number of volunteer attorneys, mentors, drivers, and Spanish speakers; finding support for fundraisers; and advocating for these efforts at every opportunity. Eliminating poverty, expanding support services, and providing equal access to justice could help reduce difficulties for many county women, children, and families. Marybeth ended the discussion by lauding these “superwomen” for their herculean work to improve lives. - Submitted by Vicki Collins, Communications Committee |
