staff
“I grew up watching my mother explain her papers to someone who didn't speak her language. I became that someone who does.”
Marisol Reyes
Lead Organizer, Immigration
Since 2009New York · Chicago · Los Angeles
Every family deserves someone in their corner.
The People
Not titles first —
people first.
Organizers, lawyers, translators, and elders. The line between who serves and who is served was always blurry here — that's the point.
staff
“A courtroom is just a room. What matters is who walks in with you.”
Darnell Washington
Housing Rights Attorney
staff
“The families come to me because I've been through it. I stay because they still need someone who has.”
Esperanza Fuentes
Community Elder & Advisor
staff
“Rights only protect you if you know you have them. That's why I show up to every gymnasium, every church hall, every school.”
Kwame Asante
Know Your Rights Educator
Real Outcome
“They walked into the courtroom with me. My landlord had lawyers. I had Advocate. We kept our home.”
— Rosa M., Bronx tenant — lease renewed after wrongful eviction filing
The Community
Who serves and who is served — the line dissolves.
Become a volunteer→
No legal background required
volunteer
“I translated for my own mother when she had nobody. Now I translate for other people's mothers. It's the same work.”
Yolanda Cruz
Volunteer Translator, 4 years
community
“Advocate kept my family together two years ago. Showing up on Saturdays is the least I can do.”
Marcus Webb
Former Client · Now Volunteer
volunteer
“I learn more about the law in one afternoon at Advocate than in a full semester of class.”
Priya Nair
Legal Aid Volunteer, Law Student
community
“I've lived on this block for 38 years. I know which doors to knock on. Advocate gives me backup when I do.”
James Okafor
Community Elder, Eastside Neighborhood
Real Outcome
“The night before my ICE check-in I couldn't sleep. By morning, I had three people standing next to me. They knew my name.”
— Claudia V., mother of two — deportation order suspended
Current Campaign
Stand with a family today.
Legal representation
for 3 families in active hearings
Eviction defense
12 families facing eviction this month
Know Your Rights workshops
6 schools without coverage this semester
Secure donation · 100% goes to direct family services · 501(c)(3)