Rachel Rutter, Project Libertad

This fundraiser is organized by Project Libertad.

Tax deductible

CNN Heroes 2024

While working as a staff attorney representing immigrant children’s legal proceedings, Rachel Rutter saw the dire gap between legal and social services most of her clients faced. There was a lack of basic needs, including food and housing security, medical care and mental health support. So, in 2015, Rachel formed her own nonprofit, Project Libertad, to fill those gaps of need, provide free legal representation, and give academic support to migrant youth. Since then, the organization has assisted more than 1,100 individuals, representing more than 90 children in immigration cases.

Check out CNN Hero Rachel Rutter's full story on CNN.com

Lia's Story: A Heartbreaking Reality

"Lia," a 12-year-old asylum seeker, fled Honduras after being abused by her father. She sought safety with her aunt in the Philadelphia region, only to face deportation proceedings without a lawyer or access to critical social services. Despite struggling with undiagnosed PTSD, Lia was suspended from school and deemed "not credible" by the immigration judge. She was deported back to her abuser.

A Typical Story:

Lia's experience is devastatingly common. Thousands of immigrant children in the Philadelphia region face deportation proceedings without legal representation or access to essential social services.

The Problem:

Thousands of children have deportation proceedings pending in Philadelphia Immigration Court
75% of those children have no lawyer and must represent themselves
Limited legal services and social services for youth in the region
Newcomer youth struggle with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression without access to mental health care

Our Solution:

Youth-led and youth-centered legal and social services
Immigrant Youth Advisory Team directs programmatic decisions
Academic support and leadership opportunities

Your Support:

$50 can provide a youth with a legal consultation
$100 can support a month of mental health services for a newcomer youth
$500 can fund a youth's legal representation in immigration court

Let's Empower Newcomer Immigrant Youth Together!

Donate today and help us fill the gap in services for newcomer youth in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Let's ensure no child faces the same fate as Lia.