The Bread and Life Immigration Clinic partners with St. John’s Bread and Life
(SJBL), a dynamic organization animated by the spirit of St.
Vincent de Paul to address issues of hunger and poverty in Brooklyn
and Queens, New York.
Under the supervision of Professor Sharone Schwartz-Kaufman,
students in this two-semester Clinic assist clients of diverse
racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Working in teams of
two, they provide direct representation in immigration matters,
including citizenship and adjustment of status applications. They
also accompany clients to naturalization or adjustment of status
interviews at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
offices.
Through these non-litigation activities, Clinic students gain
invaluable experience and practical skills in the following
areas:
- Interviewing, counseling and following up with clients
- Identifying, assessing and clarifying legal needs
- Conducting fact investigations
- Researching relevant law and procedures
- Working with translators
- Preparing applications and other paperwork
- Filing paperwork
- Assisting and/or making referrals to appropriate agencies
Since its founding in 1982, SJBL has served its community as an
outreach ministry of St. John the Baptist Parish in Brooklyn, New
York. Started as a soup kitchen, in response to client need SJBL
expanded its services to include:
- A food pantry
- A mobile soup kitchen
- Medical support
- Support groups
- Tax preparation services
- Legal services through Urban Justice, Inc.
- The Bridge to Justice Immigration Clinic
Increasingly, SJBL’s clients include immigrants from Central and
South America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. The majority of
the population it serves is 200% or more below the poverty level.
It provides over 1,000 meals a day in addition to helping clients
address inadequate housing and homelessness; substance abuse;
mental health issues; substandard or non-existent income; and
legal, medical and spiritual issues.
To learn more about the Bread and Life Immigration Clinic,
contact us.