SMRLS Awarded USCIS Citizenship and Assimilation Grant
On September 24, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) named SMRLS a recipient of a $225,000 grant to fund our immigration work with Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) seeking to gain full United States citizenship. This two-year grant began on October 1, 2018 and runs through September 30, 2020.
In addition to funding our representation of LPRs applying to become United States citizens, this grant also supports SMRLS’ collaboration with the citizenship instruction programs of the International Institute of Minnesota and the Adult and Family Literacy Program in Rochester. This new partnership with the International Institute of Minnesota will help our clients prepare for their citizenship tests and create more resources to serve the large immigrant population in the Twin Cities.
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The formal relationship between SMRLS and the Adult and Family Literacy Program in Rochester Public Schools started with the 2013 Citizenship and Integration grant. SMRLS is the main provider of naturalization legal services in Rochester while the Adult and Family Literacy Program in Rochester Public Schools is the main provider of English Language Learner
and citizenship classes. All three programs have embraced the opportunity to work together to increase capacity and resources to assist LPRs becoming U.S. citizens.
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SMRLS thanks USCIS for generously supporting our immigration work to help LPRs become United States citizens.
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Open Door Health Center
Healthcare-Legal Partnership
SMRLS’ Healthcare-Legal Partnership (HLP) at Open Door Health Center in Mankato was recently featured in the
Mankato Free Press
. This innovative partnership is designed to treat patients’ health-harming legal needs through a collaborative effort between medical staff and SMRLS attorneys. By breaking down the barriers to legal access and ensuring an equal opportunity for justice, patients are more likely to receive the help they need to live healthy lives. Click
here
to read the article.
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Housing Counseling Program Receives HUD Funding
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (
HUD) Midwest recently awarded SMRLS $33,678 for our Housing Counseling Program. In 2017, this program assisted more than 1,000 clients with comprehensive counseling services for cases ranging from fair housing and tenants’ rights to evictions. The program also provides trainings about housing rights and responsibilities to tenants, service providers, and subsidized housing providers. Click
here
for more.
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New Federal Bar SMRLS Admittees
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On December 19, 2018, five SMRLS attorneys appeared before
The Honorable Susan Richard Nelson
, U.S. District Judge, for admission to the Federal Bar. The admission ceremony was held at the Warren E. Burger Federal Building in St. Paul. SMRLS attorneys
Kristin Holmes
,
Christopher Scott
,
Tara Skar
,
Sheena Thompson
, and
Thuzong Xiong
were motioned in by SMRLS attorneys
Caitlin Guilford
and
Laura Jelinek
.
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During their motions, Ms. Guilford and Ms. Jelinek explained to the court how the candidates’ experiences and character will make them outstanding additions to the Federal Bar. After SMRLS CEO
Jessie Nicholson
spoke before Judge Richard Nelson, the judge’s clerk then distributed certificates to the new SMRLS admittees. Congratulations to the newly admitted SMRLS attorneys!
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2018 Fall Appreciation Luncheon
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On November 20, 2018, nearly 400 guests gathered at the InterContinental Riverfront Hotel in Saint Paul for SMRLS' annual
Fall Appreciation Luncheon
. The audience was comprised of SMRLS staff and volunteers, judges, corporate partners, and more than a dozen law firms.
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Caryn Boisen
, President of the Ramsey County Bar Foundation, presented
SMRLS CEO Jessie Nicholson
with a check for $24,387.48. This gift is a portion of proceeds from the Ramsey County Bar Association’s annual Bench & Bar Benefit event.
Recent SMRLS retirees
Gerry Kaluzny
,
Paul Mundt
, and
Steve Wolfe
were honored for their more than 30 years of service. Former SMRLS Campaign for Legal Aid fundraising committee members,
Thomas A. Boardman
and
Jon A. Theobald
, received the Award of Appreciation and Lifetime Leadership Award, respectively, for their contributions to SMRLS as volunteers and community partners.
The luncheon was highlighted by
John Pollock
, Coordinator of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, who delivered an engaging presentation about the growing movement advocating for a client’s civil right to counsel. Click
here
to watch the full presentation.
SMRLS CEO Jessie Nicholson
says, "Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Fall Appreciation Luncheon. It's fantastic to see so many supporters of SMRLS as an affirmation of the work that we do in providing access to justice."
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SMRLS Legal Checkup Clinics
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Thanks to a grant from the Legal Services Corporation’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund, SMRLS trains and supports local volunteer attorneys to conduct "legal checkups" for low income persons during office hours at various locations. SMRLS provides volunteer attorneys with a "legal checkup" tool, Fact Sheets and other handout materials, and client consultations from SMRLS attorneys and volunteer experts. Cases identified by the volunteer attorney as needing follow up advice or full representation are referred back to SMRLS for further legal assistance. Initially, SMRLS staff attorneys piloted the clinics, with volunteer attorneys taking over the clinics last April after receiving training. There are currently 8 volunteer attorneys participating in the clinics, with additional attorneys to be trained in January 2019.
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As of early December:
- 41 Legal Checkup Clinics held
- 110 legal checkups conducted
- Checkups resulted in 257 distinct legal problems/cases identified
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In December 2018:
- SMRLS attorney Kathy Eveslage was promoted to Hotline Senior Attorney, effective Jan. 1, 2019
- SMRLS attorney Suzanne Guertin was promoted to Metro Family Law Unit Senior Attorney
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Follow SMRLS on Social Media
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Join the conversation online!
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Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services | (651) 228-9823 |
smrls.org
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