Experience

National Immigrant Justice Center

• United States
• Legal Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• • Feb 2023 - Present

  DOJ Accredited Representative

• • Sep 2021 - Feb 2023

  DOJ Accredited Representative



Family Focus

• United States
• Individual and Family Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• • Jul 2019 - Aug 2021

  DOJ Accredited RepresentativeImplement and maintain the New Americans Initiative program for Family Focus Nuestra Familia centersProvide legal representation, case management, and referrals Maintain ongoing knowledge of immigration law, agency trends, and policy updatesBuild and maintain relationships with local community groups including faith-based, nonprofits, businesses, and government officialsCoordinate all naturalization/DACA workshopsMaintain accurate documentation and data to support funder reports and compliance with organization/program standards Show less

• • Apr 2018 - Jul 2019



Tapia-Ruano & Gunn P.C.

• Chicago, IL

• Paralegal & Case Manager

  • Nov 2013 - Mar 2018

  Draft correspondence, in English and Spanish, for attorneys, clients, and federal agencies. Prepare, organize, and file immigration applications with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Court (EOIR) (Note: All applications are reviewed by the attorney & are approved to file by the attorney as well). Check and inquire on immigration application statuses through USCIS's inquiry and case status tools. Draft legal affidavits and briefs. Show less



DePaul University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Feb 2016 - Aug 2016

  Assisted with a needs assessment of the capacity of immigration legal services providers in Illinois. The project partnered with 25 Illinois Immigrant-serving Legal Service Organizations in order to research their current needs and help them meet those needs. I communicated with organizational leaders to set hour interviews regarding their immigration legal service programs personnel, physical, and financial capacities. Assisted with a needs assessment of the capacity of immigration legal services providers in Illinois. The project partnered with 25 Illinois Immigrant-serving Legal Service Organizations in order to research their current needs and help them meet those needs. I communicated with organizational leaders to set hour interviews regarding their immigration legal service programs personnel, physical, and financial capacities.



Illinois Wesleyan University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Program Coordinator

  • Sep 2013 - Oct 2013

  While the office was in the middle of a search for a new Director for the office, the Assistant Dean of Students requested I return to campus temporarily to help the new assistant director and continue some of the office's programing. I successful planned and executed two programs in this position. Supervised the office manager and program assistant. Provided the office with continuity during this period of transition. While the office was in the middle of a search for a new Director for the office, the Assistant Dean of Students requested I return to campus temporarily to help the new assistant director and continue some of the office's programing. I successful planned and executed two programs in this position. Supervised the office manager and program assistant. Provided the office with continuity during this period of transition.



Tapia-Ruano & Gunn P.C.

• Chicago, IL

• Legal Clerk (Intern)

  • Jun 2013 - Aug 2013

  Trained in LawLogic system. Trained in immigration applications. Communicated with clients in English and Spanish. Trained in LawLogic system. Trained in immigration applications. Communicated with clients in English and Spanish.



Midwest Academy & Jane Addams Senior Caucas

• Chicago, IL and Springfield, IL

• Policy Fellow w/ The Aging Justice Program

  • Sep 2012 - Jun 2013

  An intensive policy training program. Worked on building support to pass legislation that will repeal the social security and unemployment offset. Gained experience and training in policy advocacy and lobbying. An intensive policy training program. Worked on building support to pass legislation that will repeal the social security and unemployment offset. Gained experience and training in policy advocacy and lobbying.



Illinois Wesleyan University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Student Manager

  • Aug 2009 - May 2013

  Intense clerical work, administrative assistance, and organization. Event programing and implementation, i.e. banquets and campus visits. Researched issues and current events. Served as a mentor to first generation, and first year college students. Intense clerical work, administrative assistance, and organization. Event programing and implementation, i.e. banquets and campus visits. Researched issues and current events. Served as a mentor to first generation, and first year college students.



Boys and Girls Club in Bloomington/Normal, IL

• Bloomington/Normal, Illinois Area

• Grant Writer (Student)

  • Jan 2013 - Apr 2013

  Through a class offered by my university, I worked with Boys and Girls Club (BGC) to write and secure grants for BGC programs. Through a class offered by my university, I worked with Boys and Girls Club (BGC) to write and secure grants for BGC programs.



Midwest Academy

• United States
• Professional Training and Coaching
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Community Organizer Intern w/ The Illinois Hunger Coalition

  • Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  In combination with Community organizing training from Midwest Academy. Worked in the Back of the Years neighborhood. Went door to door to speak with community members about issues in community. Organized 2 community meetings with roughly 30 people attend each meeting. Took part in actions addressing IDHS office closures in the neighborhood. Reached out and established connections with other community organizations. In combination with Community organizing training from Midwest Academy. Worked in the Back of the Years neighborhood. Went door to door to speak with community members about issues in community. Organized 2 community meetings with roughly 30 people attend each meeting. Took part in actions addressing IDHS office closures in the neighborhood. Reached out and established connections with other community organizations.