Contact: Leah Weigel, Communications Manager, Rian Immigrant Center
Phone: 617-542-7654 x30
Email: lweigel@riancenter.org
RIAN IMMIGRANT CENTER PARTNERS WITH ENROOT
TO SUPPORT LOCAL IMMIGRANT YOUTH
BOSTON, MA (09/08/21) With funding from the Cabot Family Charitable Trust, The Rian Immigrant Center (formerly the Irish International Immigrant Center), is launching a partnership with Enroot, a non-profit organization that empowers immigrant students to achieve academic, career and personal success through inspiring out of school experiences. Enroot’s 4 - 7 year wraparound program model includes 1:1 mentoring, tutoring, leadership and workforce development supporting high school and college students as they move towards a successful future.
Enroot will identify students in need of Rian’s services and liaise with attorneys to coordinate workshops. Rian attorneys will provide immigration legal services to Enroot students in Somerville and Cambridge, and equip them with knowledge regarding the immigration policies that affect their lives through consultations, legal representation and a series of immigration workshops. The workshops hosted by Rian will provide students with an understanding of the basic principles of U.S. immigration law and their rights when interacting with law enforcement or immigration officials.
Rian will also provide Enroot staff and volunteers with professional development to equip them with information regarding the U.S. immigration system, and possible options available to immigrant students in order to best support them. This partnership will expand Rian’s immigrant youth services and will assist more than 80 students in the next school year.
Ben Clark, Executive Director of Enroot commented, “Enroot is thrilled about our partnership with the Rian Immigrant Center and about the crucial support we will be better able to provide together for immigrant students in Somerville and Cambridge.” Somerville Public Schools’ Superintendent, Mary Skipper, added "We are thrilled about Enroot's partnership with Rian, and the impact that this project can have on immigrant youth so they can have a way to become contributing members of their chosen communities. Enroot has been an exceptional partner in our district. Their partnership with Rian demonstrates the deep commitment that Enroot has to providing immigrant youth with the support and access to legal resources they need to make the positive impact in the world that they are looking to make."
Rian’s Executive Director, Ronnie Millar said, “We are very excited to be expanding our work with immigrant youth in Somerville and Cambridge by partnering with such a wonderful organization as Enroot. Receiving immigration legal assistance empowers immigrant youth and their families to new pathways to stability and success. We are very grateful to the Cabot Family Charitable Foundation for their support.”
Elizabeth Lynch, Executive Director of the Cabot Family Charitable Trust said, “We are proud to support this innovative partnership that will create a pathway for immigrant students to secure the immigration legal help they need to achieve their full potential.” The program launches this incoming school year.
For more information on this new program, please contact:
Lima James
(617) 876-5214 ext. 1
or
Leah Weigel
617-542-7654