February Share the Plate: Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project

Given the recent devastation in Haiti, and the resettlement needs here in Portland of the immigration population, we will be sharing the plate with ILAP, a local immigration aid organization based here in Portland.

The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) provides free and low-cost immigration information and legal assistance to low-income Maine residents. ILAP helps Maine's immigrants keep their families together, gain protection from persecution and domestic violence, attain residency and work authorization, and become proud U.S. citizens. ILAP builds stable families and improved opportunities, allowing Maine's immigrants to contribute to their communities for generations to come. ILAP is proud to uphold our nation's immigrant tradition.

ILAP'S MISSION: The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project seeks to advocate for and to improve the status and well-being of Maine's low-income noncitizens and their families by providing affordable legal services, and by educating and working with service providers, policy makers, and the public concerning legal issues unique to noncitizens. Immigrants have long appreciated Maine for its welcoming people and its way of life, and have made vital contributions to every aspect of Maine's economy, including Maine's agriculture, hospitality, and professional sectors. Today, ILAP estimates Maine's immigrant population to be over 55,000 persons. Each year, we assist clients originating from over 100 different countries, who come to us from all 16 of Maine's counties.

As Maine's only provider of immigration and related legal aid to low-income Maine residents, ILAP helps immigrants stabilize and upgrade their immigration status so that they can improve their lives and those of their families, and so that, like the immigrants before them, they can participate fully and meaningfully in Maine society.

Several members have asked if we plan to share the plate for Haiti. We have decided to hold a benefit concert on Sunday, February 21 tst to aid Haiti in recovering from the devastations of recent earthquakes and its ongoing struggles with poverty and health needs. We hope to draw in a larger participation and crowd to raise funds and to bring our UU community forth into the greater community in support of Haiti. Please keep your eyes and ears open for ways to help with the concert and note it on your calendars. More information coming soon. See Betsy Whitman, (mailto:ewhitman@gwi.net FIA coordinator, for volunteer and other information or any questions.

For more info on ILAP go to www..ilapmaine.org