Find solutions to your immigration, housing or business problems in a humane & friendly environment.
- María G. White
- Nov 16, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 28, 2018
Since June 2015 Southwest Detroit Immigrant and Refugee Center had support more than 2,500 immigrants like you, to solve their legal problems in the 3 free legal clinics located in different points of the city.
By MARIA G. WHITE
November, 2018.
Kevin Piecuch, Attorney and Executive Director of Southwest Detroit Immigrant and Refugee Center (SDIRC) opened the first free legal clinic back in June 2015 with the idea “to provide high quality free and low-cost legal services to immigrants, refugees, and underserved people groups in and around the City of Detroit” Kevin express. SDIRC also facilitates housing for those having problems due to their immigration condition and help to those who want to move from the informal economic activities to thriving businesses. Today SDIRC operate 3 free legal clinics, two in the city of Detroit and one in Downtown Pontiac.
Kevin is assisted in each of the clinics by an enthusiastic group of volunteers with different backgrounds that are deeply committed with Southwest Detroit. From attorneys, legal advisers to housing and business experts to translators. The group of volunteers are chosen to work for the immigrants out of altruism. All the volunteers “see all clients as friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters.” They “listen closely to every problem the client bring and give every person an opportunity to tell their story. In return they receive a caring, honest response.” Kevin described in the interview.
Amanda is one of the volunteer Attorneys that provides legal advice. Primarily dealing with cases in family law, criminal law, and immigration. As an USA immigrant born in Ghana and grew up in Canada then immigrated to the US for school; Amanda understands what is to be an immigrant and how tough and time consuming the process of being legal in a new country could be. As she expresses herself “I know what it’s like to be an outsider in a country not my own and having to go through the process.” Amanda is the at clinic at Ford Resource Center and Engagement Center (FREC) at 2826 Bagley St. Detroit every Friday ready to help you.
Genevieve Wilson, another long-time volunteer. She started to volunteer as a law student. In November this year she just passed the bar. She will took the supervision of the Pontiac clinic every Tuesday and will continue supporting the clinic at FREC on Wednesday. Genevieve specializes in family and immigration law, she speaks fluent English and Spanish.
Amanda Attipoe advicing 2 of SDIRC clients at the free legal clinic at FREC.
Maria, legal adviser, and Genevieve discussing the better options for the clients.
3 of the volunteers of SDIRC working on the free legal clinic at Bagley St.
WHITE. MARÍA G.
The clients of the clinic come from all types of backgrounds, diverse languages but the same common main barrier, their immigration status. If you are an immigrant in need of guidance to solve your immigration status or other the situation mentioned above just appear at one of the clinics. The doors of SDIRC are open for you. Click here to find the opening times and locations.
Finally Kevin gave us the message that every immigrant want to hear from his/her lawyer. “Remember that we seek to provide high quality services...” “access to justice should not be dictated by a person's ability to pay.”
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