As many of you know, I am a volunteer attorney with the PAIR Project. For over 36 years, the PAIR staff has worked on a lean budget to represent as many asylum seeker clients as possible, to place each PAIR client with volunteer attorneys, and then to provide close mentoring and strategic support for every case. In light of these challenging times, PAIR's work has become even more critical. My time volunteering with PAIR has been invaluable to me. I have worked with asylum seekers who have fled unimaginable harm and violence, who dream of a new life in safety, and who have such strength and resilience. I’ve been part of a legal team that’s made them feel welcome and helped them through the first step of realizing that dream.
Every hour of time an attorney donates to PAIR to volunteer on a case has the value of a billable hour. Last year, PAIR calculated that attorneys donated more than 22,000 hours, a value of over $19.6 million, serving more than 1,700 clients! Each one of these clients has found new hope because of PAIR.
An average case costs PAIR thousands of dollars because of the expenses related to intakes, conducting training for new volunteers, and maintaining mentoring and support programs. This is an extremely frightening time for immigrants in the United States. PAIR clients, who fled the dangers of their home country, are terrified of ICE enforcement, being detained, and of being removed without due process. PAIR is at the forefront of fighting for the legal rights of clients and ensuring stable status and a safe haven in the U.S. But they cannot do this alone. PAIR reached out to me with a proposal for how I and other attorneys, even those not able to take on an asylum case, can make a difference in the lives of PAIR clients.
Would you consider donating the dollar value of a billable increment of your time – a quarter hour or even an hour – to help PAIR make justice happen for hundreds of asylum seekers?
Throughout the month of October, also known as Pro Bono Month, you can help PAIR raise money through the I Make Justice Happen! Campaign. PAIR’s goal is to raise $50,000 this month. The funds will go directly to PAIR programs and its clients. You can choose to donate the value of any number of billable increments – even one six-minute increment goes a long way!
Many of our firm attorneys have shown an incredible commitment to representing asylum clients, but even those of us who cannot take on cases can support PAIR’s work. Please consider donating to PAIR and help us Make Justice Happen for thousands of immigrants in Massachusetts!
To donate, go to my team’s Network For Good fundraising page: [TEAM LINK]. Or make a check out to “PAIR Project” and send to PAIR. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
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