On August 28th, 2021 ImmDef along with the City of Long Beach, County of Los Angeles, This is About Humanity, Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, Logn Beach Councilwoman Cindy Allen, Representatives from Councilwoman Nanette Barragan's office, and Congressman Allen Lowenthal welcomed 42 previously unaccompanied migrant children who were reunited with family after leaving the emergency intake sites in Long Beach and Pomona. In total our Welcome With Dignity Day in Long Beach connected 145 family members to healthcare, mental health services, legal representation, federal and state programs, a COVID-19 vaccine and Know-Your-Rights presentations. In addition to services, attendees were greeted by Micky and Minnie, arts and crafts, face painting, hot meals, aguas frescas, and received toys, backpacks, school supplies, grocery gift cards and more.
“No child will leave this event today without a lawyer signed up,” Immigrant Defenders Executive Director and Co-Founder Lindsay Toczylowski said. “With representation documents in hand so they know that when they have to go to court, they’ll have someone by their side.”
We want to thank everyone who helped make this possible today: @thisisabouthumanity@wckitchen@sendintheclownsla@partyartcommunity@lbspecialevents@lbcommunityfdn@supjanicehahn@sistermantos@countyofla@aguasway@northgatemarkets@lushcosmetics@icfdn@thelittlemarket@laurenconradbeauty@melissamccarthy@wienerschnitzel & ImmDef's incredible staff
Thank you to our partners in good who joined to offer their services and legal representation: @chirla@uclahealth@laco_dpss My Health LA, LAC Dept of Mental Health, LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs, @lapublichealth, @consuladohnla, Guatemalan Consulate of LA, International Institute of LA, @LongBeachHealth, and St. John's Child & Family Wellness.
Photos: Carlos Olivares (#TeamImmDef)