Latinos Progresando | New Routes | Using local media made by immigrants to improve the health of immigrants

Latinos Progresando

Latinos Progresando (LP) serves immigrants through the highest quality, low-cost legal immigration services, community education and engagement, and advocacy/organizing around policy that affects immigrants. Luis Gutierrez, LP’s current executive director, founded the agency in 1998 to respond to his community’s need for low-cost, high-quality immigration services. By reuniting families and helping individuals move toward lawful status and full civic engagement, LP helps build stronger communities; the marriage of legal services and community education allows the agency to build a broader knowledge base, addressing topics of concern identified in the course of service provision. With the support and assistance of community members, the agency expanded its mission in 2000 to include organizing around immigration policy, recognizing that advocacy is the key to lasting change in immigrant quality of life in Chicago. Taking a three-pronged approach to creating lasting change, LP builds community with three overarching programs:

The Legal Services program reunites families and helps individuals move toward lawful status. Staff help over 1,000 clients a year with informational consultations, assistance applying for benefits, and representation in complex cases, including applications for protection under the Violence Against Women Act. The Legal Services team does a variety of services that do not require a law degree, and much of the immigrant community needs help simply with navigating the complicated and intimidating road to permanent residency or citizenship.

The Advocacy/Organizing program uses innovative strategies to engage community members in effective organizing around issues that affect them. Teatro Americano (TA), a community organizing theater group, anchors this program with plays and discussions about the immigrant experience.

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The Community Education and Leadership Initiative is a multifaceted leadership-building program whose activities reflect a holistic approach to community empowerment. Staff provides community members with trainings on topics such as government and the legislative process, immigration policy and procedures, and pending legislation. A youth component, the student-run College Bound Youth Group, cultivates future leaders by guiding students through the process of preparing, applying for, and paying for college.