this is who we are
Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates (JCIRA) remains committed to building a supportive and safe community for immigrants to live and thrive.
Our mission is to support the rights of immigrants and their families. We give priority to those who live or work on the Olympic Peninsula and to immigrant detainees in Washington state. Through our services, we:
Our mission is to support the rights of immigrants and their families. We give priority to those who live or work on the Olympic Peninsula and to immigrant detainees in Washington state. Through our services, we:
- Deliver access to free or low-cost legal aid.
- Give small emergency cash grants for living expenses like rent, food, school fees and more.
- Offer support to families and assistance finding resources.
- Stand witness to demonstrate our commitment.
- Provide community education.
- Advocate for local, state, and national immigrant issues.
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED WITH
HELP FROM THE COMMUNITY IN 2023
We've had an amazing year of growth as an organization. In the past year JCIRA has:
Opened the Multicultural Center in June!
- We've seen around 200 visitors to the Center each month since we've opened.
Hired JCIRA’s first employees:
- Natalia Duran, Outreach Coordinator.
- Courtney Morales Thrall, Multicultural Center Administrator,
- Sue Lemay, ESL/English Language Teacher.
Given grants to help immigrants with short-term financial difficulties.
- In 2023, we've supported 79 immigrant families with small grants to help alleviate financial hardship.
Offered language programs in English and Spanish.
- We've had amazing turnouts to our ESL class with new teacher Sue Lemay.
- We've also offered Spanish classes at beginner and intermediate levels with wonderful teachers Francisca Ramirez and Katie Franco.
Provided assistance accessing healthcare and legal services.
- More than 60 people joined us at our Jefferson Healthcare Open House at the Multicultural Center in October, and at least 25 people were able to make appointments to see a doctor.
Created educational programs for local students to learn more about immigrants, refugees and advocacy.
- We welcomed students from Port Townsend's OCEAN program to the Multicultural Center in October where they learned about the history of Japanese internment during WWII and the journey of an Afghan refugee family from our two amazing guest speakers.
- They also learned about the lack of legal representation for unaccompanied children in immigration court, and wrote advocacy letters to the government.
Increased outreach and involvement
- We facilitated a Spanish language Women's Justice Circle in the fall of 2023. This group empowers women who are low-income to address the underlying causes of poverty. The voices of women who are low-income and/or immigrants, women living in crisis and those on the margins are typically not included in organizing for change in a way that meets their needs. This group works to change that!
Sent immigrant youth to summer camps
- We connected many immigrant youth to scholarships for summer camps to increase access to the amazing educational programming available in our beautiful PNW home.
And more...
We need your support to continue growing and sustaining our crucial programs. Help us continue to make the Olympic Peninsula a safe and welcoming community where immigrants and refugees can thrive.
Find out how you can volunteer and help and donate here.
Want to know more? Read a detailed history of our earlier years.
Photo credits: Banner photo of JCIRA protest with JCIRA sign; photos below of Indivisible protest with JCIRA group and sign, and photo of protest signs with "Grandmas against family separation," also by JCIRA.
Federal law requires 501(c)(3) organizations to make certain documents accessible to the public. See JCIRA documents here.
