Pro-Bono? Por Supuesto: New Opportunities for Free Legal Aid

BENNU is a very empathetic organization[.] [My] case was almost lost to a deportation order—it was a very challenging situation. BENNU… provided me with people and resources to guide me and educate me about my immigration problem.

Lake Bluff, Illinois (PRWEB) September 27, 2011

BENNU Legal Services, a nonprofit Supporting American Dreams throughout the Chicagoland area, seeks individuals and families interested in receiving free legal aid for their immigration-related cases, through a unique service learning experience involving BENNU and Immigration Law students in the College of Lake County’s Paralegal Studies Program.

Who? BENNU helps individuals or families with immigration concerns or are in need of immigration help, especially those who are victims of domestic violence or other serious crimes. Those whose lack of financial resources imposes significant strain are especially encouraged to seek possible help, as all cases are handled pro-bono. Says Jaime Bernabe, a client of last year’s program, “BENNU is a very empathetic organization[.] [My] case was almost lost to a deportation order—it was a very challenging situation. BENNU… provided me with people and resources to guide me and educate me about my immigration problem.”

What? Cases are handled by students of the College of Lake County’s Immigration Law Course, which BENNU’s Executive Director, Andrew Sagartz, teaches. The course provides CLC paralegal students with practical, real-life experience while doing good for members of the community who are in crisis. A team of three to four students handles each case, under the guidance and close supervision by the instructor and other licensed nonprofit attorneys from BENNU.    

Why should I apply? Due to a limited case capacity created by financial constraints, BENNU was forced into a situation of placing immigrant victims of crime who desperately needed legal aid on a wait list. Sagartz found this intolerable. Meanwhile, he sought to provide his students with real-life experience to help them develop the sorts of skills potential legal employers seek. He arranged for BENNU as a nonprofit agency to support the Immigration Law course as a service learning partner. This created a win-win-win situation for individuals needing help, for his enthusiastic students, and for the agency to further its nonprofit mission. Because of BENNU’s involvement, a high quality of work is assured--BENNU attorneys carefully oversee each student team throughout the course and thoroughly review applications before they are filed with Immigration. Finally, the students themselves bring vigor and determination to their work, as they recognize the impact of their projects on the community. Agafya Golisheva, a recent graduate of the Paralegal Studies Program who is herself an immigrant from Uzbekistan, exemplifies how earnestly the CLC students take on their projects. “This was my favorite class [of the Paralegal Studies Program],” she says. In fact, Agafya’s work affected her so deeply that, after completing the program, she was inspired to become a regular volunteer with BENNU—because, she says, “helping people is my primary goal!”

When? Case assignments usually occur in mid-September. The course will run through December 15. Potential clients or anyone interested in referring a potential client should contact BENNU as soon as possible.

Where? Although the Immigration Law Course itself takes place on CLC’s campus, BENNU makes its office space available for meetings if this location is more convenient for students and clients.

How to Participate: To participate in this program or to simply learn more, please contact Vonya at 847‑478‑8200 or by email at vdupuy(at)BENNULegal(dot)org.

About BENNU Legal Services
BENNU Legal Services, an innovative nonprofit Supporting American Dreams, provides low-cost legal services and education to help families and individuals new to the United States to legalize and integrate. Through our services, BENNU also supports small business entrepreneurs and helps address important issues such as domestic violence. To meet clients’ needs, we offer services on a sliding-fee-scale, and sometimes pro-bono, basis. Our multicultural staff meets clients at locations convenient to them. BENNU also conducts vocational trainings to increase employability, helping individuals successfully rise to new beginnings like our symbol, the Egyptian phoenix or bennu bird. To learn more, visit http://www.BENNULegal.org.

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