15 July 2021

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

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

Casa Cornelia Law Center is delighted to share its 2020 impact report. Last year, Casa Cornelia responded to 1,329 persons seeking legal services through its Asylum, Children’s, and Victims of Crime Programs.

ASYLUM PROGRAM
Since its foundation, Casa Cornelia has represented individuals who seek asylum in the U.S. In 2020, the Law Center responded to 412 requests for assistance from persons fleeing violence and persecution in their homelands around the world.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
The long-standing tradition of serving migrant children, detained or resident, in our community also continued. Casa Cornelia provided services to 512 immigrant children ranging from infancy through age 17 (and into young adulthood). Many of these children suffered physical abuse, abandonment, and/or traumatic separations from families.

VICTIMS OF CRIME PROGRAM
During 2020, 405 individuals sought the assistance of Casa Cornelia through the Victims of Crime Program. Of them, 77% were women 26–45 years of age, many of whom are responsible for children. These survivors have often lived in the shadows of society, isolated by trauma, language, poverty, and fear.

Casa Cornelia’s Mission and Spirit are rooted in the tradition of service of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, which founded the Law Center in 1993 to provide free legal services to indigent victims of human and civil rights violations. The Law Center is grateful for the ongoing support of the SHCJ Sisters, who believe in this mission of Justice with Compassion!