Refugee/Immigration Archives - Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.

Legal Services For Those In Need of Assistance

Legal Services For Those In Need of Assistance

The Yulee News considers it important to bring to its readers the many organizations whose services are available to them. We spoke with Jim Kowalski Jr., Esq. who is the President and CEO of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA). Nassau County is one of the 17 counties that are covered by JALA in North Florida. JALA is the oldest legal aid firm in Florida founded in 1937 as a pro-bono outreach of the Jacksonville Bar Association. Through the years it has become a more formal legal aid organization through the process of hiring attorneys and staff. Currently, there are 40 lawyers and staff making it the 8th largest civil law firm in Northeast Florida. The mission of JALA is, “A nonprofit civil legal aid firm focusing on delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast.”

Dennis Harrison2024-01-04T11:26:15-05:00June 22nd, 2023|Children's Health, Fair Housing, Family Law, News, Pro Bono, Refugee/Immigration, Tangled Title, Veterans Services, VOCA|

JALA helps Afghan refugee obtain citizenship

JALA helps Afghan refugee obtain citizenship

“Asmaan” came to the United States from Afghanistan after ISIS fighters attacked her village, killed several of her family members, beat her over the head with a gun, sexually assaulted her, and left her for dead. After seven years in the U.S., she was about to lose her SSI benefits.

Dennis Harrison2022-08-23T10:28:40-04:00August 22nd, 2022|Client Stories, Refugee/Immigration|

JALA helps domestic violence survivor get her green card

JALA helps domestic violence survivor get her green card

At 29, “Florencia” came to JALA after surviving domestic violence. An immigrant married to a U.S citizen who abused her, Florencia needed help getting a divorce and obtaining custody of her daughter, and she also needed to adjust her immigration status in order to support herself. JALA’s Family Law and Victim Advocacy Unit helped her with her divorce and custody issues, while its Immigration Unit filed her immigration applications and referred her to mental health and housing services.

Dennis Harrison2022-08-23T10:27:34-04:00August 17th, 2022|Family Law, Refugee/Immigration|

Jacksonville event celebrates World Refugee Day

Jacksonville event celebrates World Refugee Day

Catholic Charities Jacksonville on Monday hosted a World Refugee Day celebration. The event was held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the nonprofit’s headquarters in the Jessie Ball duPont Center on East Adams Street in downtown Jacksonville. The celebration helped introduce city, religious and community leaders to the civic, faith-based and governmental organizations and agencies that serve refugees throughout Jacksonville. The event also honored refugees, service providers and community members who have worked together during the challenges of the resettlement process. In addition, the event included performances, health-enhancing activities, and interactive informational displays from local refugee organizations and others.

Dennis Harrison2022-06-21T10:41:07-04:00June 21st, 2022|News, Refugee/Immigration|