Get involved with RILA
The path to legal status is long. RILA is grateful for the opportunity to walk with our clients throughout that journey and we welcome you to join us.
These acts of care let our clients know that they are welcome, wanted, and supported:
WONDERING HOW TO SUPPORT IMMIGRATION?
Advocate
Sometimes the most effective way to support our work is to draw attention to it. If you believe in RILA’s mission to welcome the sojourner, there are strategic ways you can get the word out.
Partner
If RILA’s work resonates with you and you feel motivated to step into a short-term commitment, your community can prepare a meal for one of our clinics, or you could apply your legal knowledge to writing a brief.
Volunteer
If you are passionate about applying your skills as an active member of the RILA community, we encourage you to explore the many volunteer opportunities we have, ranging from interpretation to photography.
Donate
Legal cases are prohibitively expense, so every bit of funding opens doors for our clients by advancing and resourcing their case.
For a detailed breakdown on how your money is used, follow the link below.
Advocate with us
RILA’s work is mobilized through the power of word-of-mouth connections.
Whether someone is referring a client or sharing our work with members of their community, it not only helps our work—it creates a welcoming community for asylum-seekers as they navigate their legal cases.
If you’re passionate about RILA’s mission, and you’re looking for low-commitment, high-impact ways to get involved, explore our advocacy opportunities.
Host an information event
RILA's lawyers and legal advocates are available to talk with your community about their legal and supportive role in the lives of this vulnerable population, as well as how to support immigration.
Share a Story of Hope
Share one of RILA’s Stories of hope, Newsletter, Facebook, Instagram with your network on social media. Consider a Facebook fundraiser in honor of your birthday to raise funds for RILA's work
Consider a matching donation program
If your employer has a charity donation arm, talk to them about the possibility of matching donations.
Connect us with your community by hosting a Friendraiser
Friendraisers are a great opportunity for anyone to join the RILA family with a simple partnership: sharing a meal. Our hosts support us in our mission to provide excellent pro bono legal assistance to asylum seekers and immigrant children by sharing our story, raising funds, and folding individuals into the work we do.
Partner with us
RILA is committed to keeping our work pro bono, but to do so, we rely on the generosity of people who are willing to commit their time to asylum seekers.
The asylum-seeking process can feel like a marathon, and deciding to “run” alongside someone for even a brief time can offer them a much-needed boon.
If you’re wondering how to support immigration directly through a one-time or short-term opportunity, we have a few ways you can make a big difference with a little time.
Provide a meal
Few actions are as welcoming as preparing food for someone.
If your church or community group would like to serve a meal at a RILA clinic, you can prepare a salad, a main dish, and a dessert for 30 people.
Write a brief
If you are an attorney who wants to volunteer your expertise, we always need help with legal briefs, appeals, and motions to reopen cases.
You can also prepare an asylum seeker for their final hearing and represent them in court.
Email Mel Chang at mel@restorationimmigration.org if you’re interested in volunteering in this capacity.
Volunteer with us
Interested in volunteering with RILA on a regular basis but not quite sure how to apply your abilities to support immigration?
Regardless of your expertise, there’s a place for you once you fill out our volunteer intake survey and attend an orientation on Zoom.
After you’ve finished the orientation, you’ll complete a monthly availability survey to find times when you can join us.
-
Few things are as powerful in storytelling as images of our clients, so if you have an eye for capturing our clinics, we could use your skills.
-
Through video, our clients are able to share their stories with their voice, but we need talented videographers and editors to do them justice.
-
Fundraising is a key part of RILA’s work. If you’re passionate about communicating our mission with others and encouraging them to partner with us, we need your help, particularly for seeking and applying for grants and being available for other development tasks on an on-call basis.
-
The best stories are the ones that give ample room for our clients, so we need talented writers who can weave interviews into compelling narratives.
Storytelling
-
Lead meetings with asylum seekers so that RILA legal staff can understand their stories, advise them on immigration benefits for which they are eligible, and make progress on clients' cases.
-
Assist in interpreting for client meetings and translating clients' documents. Spanish and Dari speakers are especially needed.
-
Capture information discussed in meetings in detailed notes so that RILA's legal team has a record of everything discussed during the meeting and can update client documents accordingly.
-
Individuals and groups who can bring and serve a meal for 30-40 people at a Monday night clinic are much appreciated.
Client Services
-
Attorneys with expertise in legal writing can assist with asylum briefs. We also welcome attorneys to serve by representing clients before USCIS and in state courts.
Email Mel Chang at mel@restorationimmigration.org if you’re interested in volunteering in this capacity.
-
Many of our clients are underemployed despite their high qualifications and level of skills. Opportunities to work field like finance or foreign policy require advocacy and references from people with established professional credibility.
Professional Services
Ready to volunteer? Sign up today.
FAQ’S
-
Wondering how to support immigration? Great! The first step is to fill our Volunteer Intake Survey and attend a virtual volunteer orientation. Email Johanna to sign up for the next one.
-
We love to have families join us at clinic by bringing a meal. Middle and High School students can volunteer at clinic by doing administrative tasks after attending a volunteer orientation.
-
While we are not able to store items and distribute them to our clients due to limited storage and staff capacity, we occasionally have young families that can use items as they welcome a new baby. If this is something you are interested in, reach out to Johanna.
-
We’re so glad you’re thinking about how to support immigration! We love having groups join us at clinic by bringing a meal.
-
Yes, please contact mel@restorationimmigration.org for our brokerage account information.
-
RILA's Employer Identification Number is 83-3874634.
-
Yes! We have a PayPal account: @RestoImmigration.
-
We do not. Due to our limited storage and staff capacity, we do not accept in kind donations. We encourage you to consider donating to organizations like the Fairfax Resource Center or Afghan Neighbors Welcoming Afghans.
/////////////////////////////////////////
For the Fairfax Resource Center, please note: they have a specific list of items they are able to accept:
Diapers and pullups
Wipes
Unexpired formula
Strollers and Pack 'n Plays in great condition
Only new car seats
Only new athletic shoes
They are not able to accept furniture or clothing donations.
Donation Drop-Off Information: Donations can be dropped off at the Resource Center during Fairfax Coffee's hours of operation. Please check their schedule for the most up-to-date times.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
CONTACT JOHANNA MONTAGUE AT JOHANNA@RESTORATIONIMMIGRATION.ORG