In the face of tremendous adversity, Alexa* never lost hope. After surviving rape and other forms of violence in her home country, Alexa also experienced domestic violence and human trafficking here in the United States.
Determined to build a better life, Alexa reached out to the Center for help in 2018. Our legal team pursued a T Visa on her behalf to secure her immigration status and derivative T Visas for her qualifying family members. We also worked to reunite Alexa with those family members when they became eligible.
As Alexa and her family began rebuilding their lives together, we have continued to provide legal services and support, connecting them with vital resources at each turn. Recently, when a shooting occurred in their neighborhood, our Community Advocates helped the family relocate to a safer area. They also provided job search and training opportunities to support the family’s long-term well-being, as well as information on local food banks and community resources.
Nearly 7 years after our first meeting, the Center’s commitment to Alexa and her family remains unwavering. As we continue to support her and her family’s immigration cases, we have connected Alexa with pro bono resources to ensure they have the legal and comprehensive support they need. Today, Alexa and her family are in a much more stable and secure place, equipped with the tools and resources they need to thrive.
Alexa’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of support. Her unwavering determination, combined with the Center’s holistic services, illustrates the incredible impact of supporting survivors on their journey to rebuilding their lives after violence.
We are proud to announce the renewal of a $20,000 grant from the City of Vernon CommUNITY Fund to provide free legal services to low-income survivors of domestic violence in Vernon and surrounding communities.
During a special presentation at the January 21st City Council meeting, Executive Director Carmen McDonald joined fellow community organizations as the City recognized this year’s CommUNITY Fund recipients.
This renewed funding ensures the continuation of critical legal advocacy services for survivors. Thank you to the City of Vernon for their ongoing commitment to ensuring access to justice for all survivors!
In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, our pro bono team held a T Visa Adjustment of Status Clinic+ in partnership with Morgan Lewis, Latham & Watkins, and Sidley Austin for survivors of human trafficking.
Through this collaborative effort, pro bono attorneys assisted 11 clients with their applications for Adjustment of Status (AOS), the petition required to obtain lawful permanent residency and a “green card.” These committed attorneys worked alongside our immigration team to expand our capacity to serve immigrant survivors of human trafficking at a critical moment in their journey toward stability.
We are so grateful to our pro bono partners for their dedication to advancing immigrant justice and their commitment to supporting survivors!
We are proud to announce Executive Director Carmen McDonald’s selection to the 2025 Public Voices Fellowship on Domestic Violence and Economic Security, a prestigious program of The OpEd Project in partnership with Blue Shield of California Foundation.
Selected through a competitive process, Carmen joins 19 other diverse thought leaders from across California who are working at the intersection of domestic violence and economic security.
As part of this year-long program, Carmen and her fellow cohort members will contribute to local, state, and national dialogue on survivor-centered solutions, with support from experienced journalists in developing and placing op-eds that address economic security for survivors of domestic violence.
We are grateful to The OpEd Project and Blue Shield of California Foundation for this opportunity to elevate crucial conversations about survivor economic security!
