Our Immigration Legal Services Department, as of July, has partnered with La Luz, another nonprofit organization that focuses on supporting individuals by providing opportunities, knowledge, and resources. In the past, the department collaborated with La Luz to host annual Immigration Legal Services fairs. However, the need for more consistent support and resources has turned this collaboration into a monthly partnership between the two organizations.
“I think they do a wonderful job of incorporating the culture within their services, and they know who they're serving and making it just a wonderful place to be able to celebrate special events,” said Alejandra Torres, Immigration Admin, on how the partnership came to be. “They do such a great job with events and reaching out to the community there.”
The department is at 17560 Greger St Sonoma, CA 95476 twice a month on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 9:00 AM – 3:45 PM offering all their services along with basic consultations. Consultations are crucial because they help map out any legal avenues that clients hope to explore and initiate. It allows staff to analyze the client’s situation thoroughly and determine if they qualify for any legal avenues. If they do, the team can proceed with the necessary support.
“A lot of people know Catholic Charities for our immigration services, so they know that we're trustworthy, but now you add on La Luz, and there's another layer of trust. I think just partnering with someone who knows the community well will help bring those services to even more people,” said Alejandra.
Alejandra emphasized that with the addition of the department’s legal services, La Luz is a great example of what comprehensive services can look like in underserved communities. “I think it's a great space where they can bring multiple resources together. There are the legal services that we offer, but then there are the resources that La Luz already offers. So, it's just a great way to support that wraparound model for Sonoma Valley residents.”
