Pro Bono Publico

PAPA Honored

2008-06-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

The Political Asylum Project of Austin's office of the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator was honored yesterday for its work with the Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT) at a conference for judges, magistrates, and clergy held at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop, Texas.

The CCRT works to address family violence in Lee, Bastrop, Colorado, and Fayette counties.

The conference, sponsored by the Family Crisis Center of Bastrop, was incredibly interesting and a huge success. It brought together groups that normally would not come together for a highly engaging and informative dialogue. The conference title, "Building a Community of Hope," was apt. Speakers included Judge Michael Denton of Austin, Ramona Natera of Texas Rio-Grande Legal Aid, Judge Lora Livingston of Travis County, Judge Kathleen Hamilton of Montgomery County, and Bastrop County Judge Ronnie McDonald, among others -- each of whom grappled with the problem of overcoming and dealing with family violence.

PAPA is honored to have been honored and looks forward to continuing its work with the Family Crisis Center and the CCRT.

Rural Outreach

2008-04-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

The OOVC has most recently been to Martindale and Giddings. In Giddings (Lee County) we have been invited to join the local inter-agency meeting. We gave a presentation on PAPA programs and services during our inaugural visit, and look forward to contributing to future meetings on a regular basis. In Martindale (Caldwell County) we met with the local police department, had a brief ride-along with one of their officers and have been invited to attend the local Fun Fest, a community gathering/informational/educational fair and fund-raiser for the local volunteer fire department, this Saturday. We were also invited by the PD to attend the Caldwell County inter-agency meetings and look forward to doing so.

Bastrop, Fayette, and Lee Counties/ESL Classes in Round Rock

2008-04-01T05:49:00.001-07:00

The OOVC has been busy doing outreach in these three counties. PAPA has become a member of the CCRT (Coordinated Community Response Team) for Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Colorado counties and recently represented PAPA on the CCRT at a Criminal Justice Training in Bastrop, Texas. Most recently we met with APS representatives in Giddings, Texas (Lee County) and have been invited by the local County Extension Office to attend the local Lee county monthly inter-agency meetings, where we will discuss PAPA programs and services.

We've also been extremely busy doing presentations at ESL and Civics classes in Round Rock; four for the month of March alone. These are highly labor intensive (packet prep, travel time, class time (usually 2 hrs), followed by Q&A), but well worth the effort.

Outreach in Bastrop County

2007-12-20T08:33:00.000-08:00

The OOVC has been laying the groundwork for increased outreach in Bastrop County.

We've already given presentations to ESL and citizenship classes through Advocacy Outreach of Elgin, and have another session planned later this week. We've also had an excellent meeting with the Family Crisis Center of Bastrop and, as a result, have been invited to be a member of the county-wide CCRT, Bastrop's equivalent of a domestic violence task force. PAPA will be speaking about its programs and services at that meeting on February 7, 2008. The OOVC also made trips to Giddings and La Grange, other cities where the Family Crisis Center has offices.

BT

December Meeting of the SSDVTF

2007-12-17T12:23:00.001-08:00

Though bad weather resulted in relatively low attendance, the December meeting of the San Saba Domestic Violence Task Force got some excellent work done. Members are active and involved, vocal and energetic. Pictured from left to right are: Georgia Harris (Dove Project), Dee Vickery (Off the Beaten Path Ministries), Kathy Dixon (District Attorney's Office, Thirty-Third Judicial District), Allen Brown (San Saba Police Department) and, not shown, Brenna Troncoso (Political Asylum Project of Austin).

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2007-11-21T09:48:00.001-08:00

The OOVC would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.

BT

Collaboration with The Dove Project of San Saba

2007-11-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

As part of PAPA's Lesser Served Counties Initiative (LSCI), The Political Asylum Project of Austin has joined with The Dove Project of San Saba, Texas, to found the San Saba Domestic Violence Task Force (SSDVTF), the first such task force in San Saba county. In addition to increasing awareness and prevention of domestic violence in the area, one of the primary goals of the task force will be to place San Saba at the forefront of addressing domestic violence issues in rural Texas.

BT

PAPA DOMINGO

2007-09-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends!

Join us for PAPA Domingo, this Sunday, September 30, 5-9 pm, Jovita's (South 1st Street). Tickets, $20.00. Support PAPA, have fun.

BT

The OOVC's Lesser Served Counties Initiative

2007-07-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

Over the past few months the OOVC has been working to develop its Lesser Served Counties Initiative or LSCI, aimed at improving outreach and services to some of Texas's more rural counties. This is important work because it reaches immigrants and refugees living in areas where services are not as easily accessible, if at all, while also developing collaborative relationships with local service providers.

As a legal service provider PAPA serves approximately 16 Texas counties. The OOVC's objective is to further develop and strengthen ties with service providers in all of these counties, the idea being that in order to develop the sort of service networks that help immigrant victims of crime and domestic violence we, as service providers, need to establish a continuous and reliable interest and personal presence in these areas.

One county at a time, the OOVC is establishing that presence. To date the OOVC has had especially successful meetings with the Dove Project in San Saba, with the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center in Marble Falls, which services Burnet, Lampasas, Llano, and Blanco counties, and with the Hays-Caldwell Women's Center in San Marcos, which services Hays and Caldwell counties. PAPA is also a member of the Caldwell County Family Violence Task Force (CCFVTF) and of the Austin Travis County Family Violence Task Force (ATC-FVTF). The OOVC has also worked closely with the CCFVTF to put together this year's conference on Domestic Violence and Vulnerable Populations: Immigrants and Juveniles.

Anyone interested in the Lesser Served Counties Initiative (LSCI) or with ideas on how to better serve some of Texas's rural counties should please feel free to contact me directly at 512.478.0546, ext. 214. Over the next few months I will continue to chronicle our efforts in this regard.

BT

Volunteers Needed - Temporary Protected Status

2007-06-26T12:31:00.001-07:00

The Political Asylum Project of Austin is currently recruiting bilingual (Spanish/English) volunteers for its TPS renewal clinics, T & Th evenings and Saturday mornings. Those interested or with questions please give us a call at 478.0546, ext. 214.

Thank you,

BT

Domestic Violence and Vulnerable Populations: Immigrants and Juveniles

2007-06-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

The Political Asylum Project of Austin, a member of the Caldwell County Family Violence Task Force, would like to announce the Sixth Annual Community and Professional Education Conference on Family Violence:

Domestic Violence and Vulnerable Populations: Immigrants and Juveniles

The conference, which promises to be very informative, is scheduled for October 11, 2007, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Join us. Those interested please contact the Hays-Caldwell Women's Center at 512.396.3404, ext. 246 or 223.

BT

OOVC to table at the Mexican Consulate

2007-03-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

The OOVC has been invited by the Mexican Consulate to host a table, twice a month, with information about free and low cost legal services available to the immigrant and refugee community in the Austin area. This is a wonderful opportunity for PAPA to reach more people and, starting on Monday, March 19th, you'll be able to find me or PAPA Outreach Assistant, Isela Guerra (whom you see in the photo), from 8:30 - 1:00 pm manning our stations at the consulate. Questions should be directed to the OOVC, 512.478.0546 ext. 214.

BT

Tax Info for Immigrants

2007-03-01T08:21:00.000-08:00

TCFV (Texas Council on Family Violence) sent a wonderful link re information for Immigrants Filing Income Tax Returns:

(http://www.tcfv.org/tcfv-content/policy.php?itemid=22)

Also, on the whole, we get lots of questions about immigrants and social services. TCFV has a great deal of information on this topic -- such as Welfare, Immigration, and VAWA; Immigration, Frequently Asked Questions; etc. An invaluable resource. Check it out:

http://www.tcfv.org/tcfv-content/policy.php

BT

PAPA Pro Bono Case in the Washington Post and Houston Chronicle

2007-02-28T12:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

One of our pro bono asylum cases has been featured in Washington Post and Houston Chronicle stories about living conditions at the immigrant family detention center in Taylor, Texas. You can read the stories here and here.

This is a photo, taken from the Houston Chronicle story, 02.07.2007, of Bahjo and her son Mustafa who were, prior to winning their asylum case, housed in the facility in question.

BT

PAPA commentary on KUT

2007-02-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

Listen to PAPA Executive Director, Chris Jimmerson, commenting on immigration on KUT.

Launch of Pro Bono Publico Program

2007-01-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

PAPA has successfully launched its new Pro Bono Publico Program. We are especially proud of our VAWA materials and trainings and will soon be ready to move forward with asylum and detention cases. Any firms interested in joining our pro bono program or interested in information about our pro bono opportunities should feel free to contact me directly (512.478.0546).

On other fronts, the OOVC outreach calendar for the month of February is quickly filling up. Organizations interested in having a PAPA representative come speak, therefore, should contact the OOVC as soon as possible.

BT

HAPPY 2007!

2007-01-03T09:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Very best wishes for 2007 from the OOVC.

BT

Voices of Immigrant Survivors of Abuse (VISA)

2006-12-13T10:39:00.000-08:00

This morning three of our staff members, myself, Lora Llenado, and Ingrid Grobey, attended the newly reinstated monthly VISA meeting at Safe Place. This was the first meeting in some time and a great deal was discussed. PAPA (i.e., Ingrid and Lora) is taking leadership of the group, including administrative duties, and so anyone or any organization interested in participating should feel free to direct inquiries our way.

BT

December with PAPA

2006-12-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

December is upon us, the year winding down, and -- oddly enough -- we continue to be busy!

The latest, most interesting projects we've launched are:

1) A PAPA photo exhibit (clients and their stories) to be held at a local Austin venue sometime in 2007, and

2) A short film on the work PAPA does and the clients we serve.

Met with the filmmaker on Friday and it sounds like the project will be lots of fun and, hopefully, bear many returns. I'll be heading out to take my first client photo and, as an amateur photographer, am very excited. If any of you have ideas for venues or know someone who might be interested in helping us with enlargements and framing, please let us know. We might also be able to have a "virtual" photo exhibit for people who are unable to go to the real thing. All in the works, all TBA.

So, very best wishes for a productive December. The OOVC continues to work on pro bono materials and would like to thank all of our current pro bono attorneys and volunteers for their exceptional work and generosity.

Saludos,

Brenna Troncoso

CCFVTF Meeting and Lockhart Police Chief, Mike Lummas

2006-11-28T07:36:00.000-08:00

The OOVC went down to Lockhart, Texas yesterday for the monthly meeting of the Caldwell County Family Violence Task Force (at the famous Sirloin Stockade). This was perhaps one of the most illuminating and productive meetings of the task force to date, or at least that I have had the privilege to attended. Lockhart Police Chief, Mike Lummas, was invited to speak, did so eloquently and opened the floor to a debate on the difficulties faced by domestic violence service providers and police officers in the field.

Discussion started with the issue of dual arrest used as a stop gap measure on the part of officers in domestic violence calls and how this generates enormous systemic difficulties for the victims of aggression (because this results in their now having a criminal record), and progressed to the lack of training and the high turnover rate of young officers who are poorly paid and overworked, as well as to the high personal risk faced by responding line officers. Also discussed were institutional short-comings across the board in all social sectors and coordination problems between institutions and actors. Members of the Hays-Caldwell Women's Center spoke well, as did members of the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office and Martindale Police Department.

Issues may not have been resolved, but they were addressed and there was communication and an important exchange of information between actors of different perspectives who might not otherwise find an opportunity to engage one another.

A small example: Law enforcement expressed frustration and fatigue at "always having the woman return to her abuser," especially after all their hard work, personal and professional. In the face of other obligations, commitments, and limited resources was it worth going out time and time again to the same household? Shelter advocates pointed out, on average, it takes a victim of domestic violence 7 - 9 attempts, i.e., requests for help, before she/he is finally ready to make the decision to leave a batterer. Each interaction with social service provider and police provides a little more information, a little more confidence.

To my mind the Task Force had an exemplary meeting yesterday. Bravo.

BT

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-22T09:28:00.001-08:00

Just a quick note to say PAPA and the OOVC wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

(We'll be up and running again Monday, November 27.)

Pro Bono Publico Program to Launch 2007 -- Suggestions?

2006-11-20T06:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

As many of you know, the OOVC is working on refining our pro bono program, developing and designing materials, trainings, support networks, and procedure. Most of my office's work for the rest of the year (now that community outreach has slowed down somewhat) will be to ensure that our new Pro Bono Publico Program is ready to launch early 2007, with the New Year.

If any of you as pro bono attorneys or volunteers have any suggestions as to how to improve the current system or things you'd like to see in the new system, please let me know -- your input is extremely valued and will be very helpful. Feel free to contact me directly or to leave comments on the blog.

Best,

BT

Immigration in the News

2006-11-15T13:52:00.000-08:00

Immigration is a hot topic these days. Check out our Executive Director, Chris Jimmerson, commenting on recent immigration initiatives on KXAN (under "featured videos"). And read the story, here.

Isidora Sanchez at Youth Advocacy

2006-11-13T07:31:00.000-08:00

This is a great photo of Isidora Sanchez, who gave a stellar Immigrant Rights presentation at Youth Advocacy.

Thanks, Isidora!

PAPA featured on KUT's Get Involved and KXAN News

2006-11-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to report KUT has featured PAPA in its Get Involved series. Our "spot" will be running on KUT the week of November 6-11, so stay tuned! Several long-time volunteers were featured, including some of our best translators and pro bono attorneys, as well as a few staffers, one of which started as a client and, the other, as a work study student years ago. Visit the KUT webpage where you can read about PAPA and listen to the spot and -- by all means -- Get Involved!

We were also asked by KXAN, Austin Channel 36, to comment today on the Basta Ya campaign and violence against immigrants -- so keep an eye out for yours truly on the evening news.

Austin, Lockhart, Georgetown, and Back

2006-10-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, it's been madness around these parts. The OOVC calendar is booked. We've had a wonderful reception everywhere we've been and had especially rewarding experiences at the Williamson County & Cities Health District (in Georgetown) and at Youth Advocacy (in South Austin). Photos to follow soon.

In Georgetown, Isidora Sanchez and I gave an immigrant rights presentation to a group of 15 pregnant women and their partners and at Youth Advocacy, to participants in YA's Creating Lasting Family Connections program. On Monday I drove down to Lockhart, Texas for the monthly Caldwell County Family Violence Task Force meeting at the Sirloin Stockade. Tuesday, to LifeWorks for the monthly Austin/Travis County Family Violence Task Force, where we discussed the relationship between justice and forgiveness.

This Saturday I have a Victims of Crime talk scheduled at St. Ignatius and over the next several weeks will be giving immigrant rights talks to various ESL classes across the Austin area. Must extend a huge thanks to our Outreach Assistant, Nhu Truong, for helping me put together those packets.

How can it be October is nearly over?!

BT

-- Don't forget the Texas Book Festival this weekend.

Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department Public Health Forum

2006-10-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

PAPA has been invited to speak at a public health forum this evening. I'll be representing PAPA on the panel, telling folks a bit about the programs (asylum, detention, VAWA, family petitions, immigrant victims of crime, etc.) and services PAPA offers. The forum is open to the public (see poster), and I'll be available for questions afterwards -- so please feel free to come and speak with me, especially if you have questions you'd rather ask one-on-one.

BT

Fifth Annual Community and Professional Education Conference on Family Violence

2006-10-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

Three representatives from our offices (Ingrid Grobey, Lora Llenado, and myself) attended the Caldwell County Family Violence Task Force annual conference in San Marcos yesterday. Items discussed included The Psychological Effects of Domestic Violence on Survivors, with Karen Wilson, Ed.D., and Law Enforcement Analysis of Family Violence Statements, with Captain Chris Bratton of the Round Rock Police Department.

Our calendar is extremely busy over the next few weeks and includes both immigrant and advocate trainings on PAPA programs and self-petitions under VAWA (Violence Against Women Act).

On other fronts, PAPA is the recipient of the prestigious 2006 Daniel Levy Award, so we're all gearing up for the award ceremony next week!

UT School of Social Work

2006-10-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I head over to the UT School of Social Work to give a talk to an undergraduate class on how immigration relates to social justice, to talk a bit about what PAPA does and stands for; and, Thursday, I'll be in San Marcos at the Fifth Annual Community and Professional Education Conference on Family Violence, sponsored by the Caldwell County Family Violence Task Force. If you are at either and have questions about PAPA or what we do, feel free to come and speak with me.

BT

UT Law's Public Interest Table Talk & Spring and Summer Interns

2006-09-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday (09.28.2006), the Political Asylum Project of Austin took part in the UT Law School's Public Interest Table Talk -- a career fair designed to inform law students about careers in public interest law. We met several students, caught up with some of our outstanding volunteers, got to practice a little Portuguese, met a few LL.M.s, and were generally impressed by the kind and quality of student.

A UT Law alum myself (LL.M. '01), I'd like to announce PAPA is recruiting Spring and Summer legal interns and invite everyone to apply. Spanish is preferred, but not necessary and, of course, we're looking for excellent writers and researchers with strong academic credentials. I'd also encourage those of you thinking of applying for one of our internships to look into applying for public interest fellowships and grants so that you can tailor the internship, should you get it, to meet your own research interests and needs.

If interested, feel free to contact me personally. Contact info on the main PAPA website.

Best,

BT

PAPA at Zilker Elementary School

2006-09-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

PAPA would like to thank Zilker Elementary for inviting us to table at their Diez y Seis festivities. We had a wonderful time, set up a nice table, distributed lots of good information and very much enjoyed meeting parents and students alike.

Diez y Seis dancing and festivities

2006-09-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

Perks

2006-09-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

One of the perks of outreach events is the wonderful selection of food. The Zilker potluck was tremendous!

PAPA has a brand new blog!

2006-09-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

The Office of the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator (OOVC) at the Political Asylum Project of Austin has launched its new blog. Visit us here to find out about the community outreach events and projects PAPA is involved with, for important information and links related to immigration and asylum, and to keep abreast of what is on the PAPA calendar.