Part of Our Community

Earlier this month, more than 120 RILA clients, volunteers and staff and their families gathered at our 2nd annual RILA family picnic. We shared a feast of tacos, enchiladas, pizza and cake while all of our kids played in the bounce house and kicked the soccer ball around. Even though we may not share the same language, country of origin or cultural background, we connected as friends and neighbors. Amid our current political climate and rhetoric, we were reminded that RILA clients share our same hopes and dreams – security for our families so that we can thrive and contribute in our communities.

Families like those of Mercedes* and her husband, Raul, who was a police officer who worked against gang violence in their home country. But they were forced to flee with their young son after the gangs threatened them in retaliation. RILA helped them apply for asylum and for their work permits. Mercedes recently started as a special education assistant for Loudoun County Public Schools, and Raul has found work in construction, installing fireproof materials in government buildings.

Since RILA began, we have helped more than 775 individuals obtain work permits, allowing them to lawfully support themselves in the United States while they wait for their cases to be adjudicated and to receive their Green Cards. Our clients work in vital jobs all around the DC metropolitan area, serving as medical assistants, janitors, engineers, airport staff and food service workers. Some have even started their own landscaping and cleaning businesses, providing employment opportunities to others.

But more than contributing to our local economy, our prayer for our clients is that they would find healing as they rebuild their lives here in the U.S., and finding work can be part of that process. The path to legal status is a long one, but we feel privileged to walk with these men, women and families along the way.

*Names have been changed.