RACHEL RUTTER - founder of PROJECT LIBERTAD
Last Thursday the Club welcomed two leaders from the Norristown organization PROJECT LIBERTAD, RACHEL RUTTER and TAWA De SOUSA. Rachel created the Project Libertad in 2015 with the goal of bringing legal representation to new immigrant youth involved in proceedings pertaining to possible deportation. She spoke of the situation these young people find themselves in where they may not have anyone assisting them in determining available paths to remain in this country, especially when their immigrant status is in question. Rachel is currently the only source for legal representation to these chi;dren.
Rachel outlined the history of the group, stated the goals of supporting the immigrants, educating the community in the areas of myths, stereotypes and immigration causes and needs.
She went over the factors leading to their decisions to migrate tenth U.S.A. despite the dangers. The concerns are gang violence, domestic violence, sexual abuse, poverty, lack of education among others. She feels that many of these are a direct result of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.
Rachel played a video demonstrating the fear a young child faces when facing a court appearance.
TAWA De SOUSA, a bilingual case worker , told her story of the path she had to go through to gain her present legal status in this country, and how PROJECT LIBERTAD had helped her in this process.
If you want to learn more or contribute to their cause, check out their website at:
projectlibertad.org
Thank you ,Rachel and Tawa.
TAWA De SOUSA along with RACHEL RUTTER