LIIC’s First Fundraising Event a Success

By Samantha Miller

What if compassion is the answer?

That’s what the Long Island Immigration Clinic (LIIC) asked the attendees at its first-ever fundraising event on Thursday, March 12, at the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) Brentwood Campus.

More than 100 people joined LIIC’s staff, advisory board, and volunteers to learn about their important work of empowering asylum seekers with knowledge, support, and legal guidance as they pursue safety, dignity, and a new beginning in the United States.

“I would venture to guess you might be feeling somewhat like me — exhausted by what you’re seeing happen every day to our immigrant friends in our country, in our cities, on the streets of Brentwood, and perhaps in your own neighborhood,” S. Janet Kinney, CSJ, Director of LIIC, said at the event. “And it’s not just exhausting; it’s wounding our collective souls,” she continued. “Our immigrant friends, who are being demonized, disappeared, and killed, all in an effort to reverse America’s growing racial and ethnic diversity.”

When S. Janet asked the audience, “That’s not who we are, is it,” there was a resounding “No!”

Powerful Presentations

The evening continued with a few powerful presentations, first in the form of a video created by CSJ’s Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, Cristian Murphy, that allowed attendees a look at one of LIIC’s client’s applications, which showed the pain and suffering that truly leads people to flee their home before seeking asylum here.

After the video, attendees got the chance to hear firsthand testimonial from an immigrant family who came to the clinic seeking assistance.

“The hardest part to leave my country,” the mother said through tears as LIIC Advisory Board President Jose Avila translated, “was to come here and leave my oldest son there.”

She described how she and her husband were held hostage in Colombia, during which awful things happened to them.

Now, though, the mother shared with a big smile on her face, they’re officially residents, and she has both her sons here with her again.

“The only thing I ask is that you help all the people who are suffering right now,” she said.

LIIC volunteer Alison Bisnauth shared her own immigration story, why this work matters, and the many ways she is now compelled to advocate on behalf of immigrants.  

After, Avila spoke of his own experience and how the Sisters helped him, his wife, and two daughters as they traveled on their personal immigration journey.

Hope for the Future

Toward the beginning of the event, S. Janet shared that she wished the evening would leave each person feeling a little more hopeful and empowered to do what they can to help “their dear neighbor.”

That wish was fulfilled. 

“It was indeed a night filled with compassion, hope, and positive energy to do whatever one can on behalf of the dear neighbor — our immigrant friends among us,” S. Janet said. 

To learn more about LIIC and how to get involved, visit their website here.