May 15, 2019

Carmen M. Chavez, Esq – Executive Director, Casa Cornelia Law Center

Casa Cornelia Law Center is a sponsored ministry by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.

At Casa Cornelia’s 25th Anniversary Celebration last October, Board Chair Deacon Jim Vargas announced an $8.5 million 25th Anniversary Campaign which will conclude in October 2020. Campaign funds will ensure that CCLC continues to be here for those arriving at our border to seek asylum into the next 25 years and beyond. So far, over 75% has been raised, an outstanding $6.5 million!

CCLC was pleased to welcome several foundations as supporters of its good work in 2018. These include Avaaz, California HealthCare Foundation, California Wellness Foundation, Hispanics in Philanthropy, The James Irvine Foundation, and the PWH Educational Foundation.

With significant support from Society of the Holy Child Jesus, the founder of CCLC, we launched our anniversary Campaign. Current and former Board Directors, who are members of the Society, continue to be actively engaged in this effort. To each, we extend our profound gratitude.

With ongoing and enhanced support of CCLC’s mission from a very faithful donor base, CCLC’s visibility has soared. Increasingly, Carmen Chavez’s insight and perspective is requested on legal matters, most especially from area newspaper reporters who call with questions specifically related to border issues. National reporters from Reuters, NPR, and The New York Times seek an on-the-ground perspective on what immigrant and asylum-seeker communities are facing in 2019.

CCLC is called upon to educate others regarding the impact of immigration law and policy on the public good. We are both privileged and honored to share leadership in this national effort and give witness to “justice with compassion.”