Catholic Charities DC Immigration Legal Service AmeriCorps VISTA
Since 1986, Catholic Charities’ Immigration Legal Services (ILS) program has been effectively addressing the Washington, DC area’s evolving immigration legal needs. ILS currently operates in two offices in DC and two offices in Maryland, and provides legal assistance through culturally and linguistically appropriate, reduced-cost, or pro bono legal services. ILS provides legal representation in such matters as naturalization and citizenship, asylum, family- and employment-based immigrant petitions, relief from removal in Immigration Court, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions for survivors of domestic violence, U and T visas for victims of crime and trafficking, Temporary Protected Status, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and consular processing. Our dedicated staff also provide legal representation in cases relating to unaccompanied minors in both State Court and Immigration Court. Additionally, ILS conducts legal orientation sessions under the Legal Orientation Program for Custodians (LOPC) of Unaccompanied Minors to inform and educate custodians of minors’ rights, the immigration court process, and potential immigration relief. Through ILS’ robust Pro Bono Program, we recruit, train, and mentor pro bono attorneys in immigration law and then match individuals with them for free legal assistance. We also provide community outreach and education and Know Your Rights presentations. This VISTA position is a part of Catholic Charities USA’s Family Strengthening Program, a national intermediary project. As a member, you will meet virtually with VISTA Leaders and other VISTAs serving throughout the country, all focused on alleviating poverty.
Member Duties : The VISTA will (1) help support a hybrid work model by creating/organizing a virtual library of legal resources/templates for staff, and assist the pro bono team in fully utilizing our current database to track and monitor pro bono case updates; (2) expand our capacity to serve by setting up a more supportive onboarding process for interns/volunteers, including an onboarding manual and Sharepoint site of resources; (3) Acknowledge the contributions of the volunteers/pro bono attorneys by setting up an inaugural appreciation event, and periodic ways to acknowledge the volunteers throughout the year; (4) Make connections with community partners to assess the needs for outreach and education, and help organize presentations/community events; (5) Support the financial sustainability of the program by assisting with the fundraising process, and creating a “how to” doc for future fundraising efforts; (6) Help build a sustainable team by organizing periodic team building activities.
Benefits:
- End of Service Education Award: $6,895 for student loans and future education
- OR End of Service Cash Stipend: $1,800
- Healthcare Benefits
- Child Care
- Relocation allowance (when relocating more than 50 miles)
- Non-Competitive Eligibility for federal employment
- Full list of benefits here