Legal Clinic Orientation
“Napakalaking tulong po sa akin ang Legal Clinic Orientation na mabigyan ako ng malinaw na explanation about my rights. Dahil sa Damayan, nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob at tiwala na masabi ko ang karapatan ko. (The Legal Clinic Orientation was very helpful in giving me a clear explanation about my rights. Because of Damayan, I had the courage and confidence to speak my right.)” - Vanessa, nanny, Legal Clinic Orientation attendee
Our pro-bono lawyers have arrived for the free legal consultations
Last Saturday, Damayan conducted a free Legal Clinic Orientation at the Damayan office in Manhattan. Attorney Alex Hu of New York Legal Aid Group (NYLAG) provided immigration legal counsel, and Attorney Aaron Gladstone of Eisnor Dictor & Lamadrid, P.C. provided labor counsel for the free case consultations. Damayan’s Case Manager Lydia Catina conducted a presentation on Damayan’s mission of organizing low-wage Filipino workers to combat labor trafficking, promote human and worker’s rights, and develop social justice leaders. Ate Lydia proceeded in orienting the attendees on the Damayan intake and case management process and system to give them a know-how in the event that they will pursue their case with the assistance of Damayan and its network of pro-bono attorneys. The attendees then proceeded to the one-on-one free labor and immigration consultations with the guest attorneys, depending on their respective cases.
In the afternoon, a Damayan presentation and orientation took place
Additionally, as a health service to the community, and with the support of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Rights (MOIA), attendees were also given free Covid updates and resources for free testing and vaccines.
An informative discussion about Covid updates and resources for free testing and vaccines.
The event ended with a testimonial from one worker-survivor who shared his story of going through labor trafficking and finding the courage to fight back with the help of Damayan and his attorney. He has won his T Visa after his harrowing ordeal, and is now one of the Damayan members helping his fellow migrant workers going through the same struggles.
True to its mission of empowering Filipino migrant workers by imparting knowledge together with critical services, Damayan members are now more equipped to rise up from oppressive employment conditions and labor trafficking situations. This paves the way for members to become social justice leaders to their fellow Filipino migrant workers, lending force to the community. #DamayanLegalClinicOrientation #LegalClinicOrientation #NYLAG #EisnerDictor&Lamadrid #MOIA #Damayan #DamayanMigrants #DamayanMigrantWorkers
We capped of the day with a group photo
To sign up for the next Legal Clinic Orientation, please call Damayan 212-564-6057 and ask for Mayra.