CASA Latina eases the pain of immigration

With the explosive influx of border crossers, the issue of immigration is difficult for many to ignore.

While Congress battles over this increasingly volatile topic, there are organizations that have made it their mission to support immigrants who continuously suffer threats of deportation and discrimination. One of those groups is CASA Latina, a Seattle non-profit organization offering assistance and education to Latino seasonal workers.

Senior Ashley Pohlmann was unaware of CASA Latina until she saw the group listed on a Web site for community involvement. After an enlightening experience with the pro-immigrant group, Pohlmann said she believes other students should be involved with organizations like CASA Latina.

"A few friends of mine have volunteered with CASA Latina in the past," Pohlmann said. "I began volunteering a little over a month ago and will continue to volunteer at least through graduation."

Stefanie Skiljan, CASA Latina's volunteer coordinator, is actively looking for people like Pohlmann.

"I continue working for CASA Latina because I support workers' rights and dignity in finding work," Skiljan said. "In the course of working with CASA Latina I've learned a lot from the participants, people with incredible determination to become educated and make a better life for their families despite poverty and racism."

CASA Latina was founded in 1994 by community activists hoping to empower Seattle's immigrants by providing them with educational and economic opportunities.

During their first year, CASA Latina operated on $25,000. Today, the group has grown to a staff of 14, with 50 regular volunteers and a $600,000 annual budget.

"We give people the tools they need to work, live, support their families and contribute to the Seattle community," said Meaghan Frisbee, a recent UW grad and executive assistant and grant writer for CASA Latina. "Every year, more than 1,000 immigrants enroll in our programs. In addition to our well-known work with day laborers, we offer a range of programs for immigrant women and families with children."

Frisbee added that CASA Latina focuses primarily on areas such as education, employment and leadership.

Since 2006, more than 350 adults have enrolled in English class at CASA Latina to improve their communication with employers, teachers and neighbors; 28 immigrant women became more active in their children's schools and in civic organizations; 112 immigrants acquired permanent employment; 75 homeless immigrants were able to stabilize their housing through employment; 9,314 temporary jobs were dispatched with an average wage of $11.50 an hour and more than $60,000 was recovered for workers who were not paid by their employers.

"We have five volunteer ESL teachers, four volunteers in our Children's Education Program, about seven volunteer law students in our Wage Claims Program and a steady group of volunteers that works on our auction in summer and fall," Skiljan said.

Skiljan emphasized the importance of volunteers.

"CASA Latina depends on volunteers for our programs to run," she said. "We have a very small staff and a large constituency. Volunteers help us in every program, from finding funds for CASA Latina to reclaiming unpaid wages for exploited workers."

The experience can also be beneficial for the volunteers.

"I think that volunteers also take away from CASA Latina a wealth of communication with people they may not otherwise meet in their community, and they are able to contribute this experience to the Seattle community," Skiljan said.

While some cities in America are implementing laws and regulations against immigrant workers, Seattle is often seen as a bastion for immigrant rights.

Recently, several Western Washington churches offered to protect illegal immigrants by providing legal support and increasing pressure on the federal government to reform immigration laws.

Frisbee believes CASA Latina is also filling a need in the Seattle community by advocating for and working with Latino immigrants.

"I have come to learn that CASA Latina provides a community, not only for Latino immigrants but also for people interested in social justice and Latino culture," Frisbee said. "I would love to see Seattle residents from all neighborhoods gain a greater understanding of who we are and what we do to avoid misinformation and stereotypes surrounding Latino immigrants."

Skiljan agreed.

"On this past May 1, the day of the immigrants' rights and workers' rights march, many of the CASA Latina volunteers came to march with the staff and participants," Skiljan said. "This showed that they feel like a part of the CASA Latina community and are in solidarity with the issues that CASA Latina participants face."

Reach reporter Anthony Shelley at news@thedaily.washington.edu.