The Clinic. General Information. Contact Information. At A Glance. Nonprofit. The Clinic Address

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1 The Clinic General Information Contact Information Nonprofit The Clinic Address 515 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez Kansas City, MO Phone (816) Fax Website Facebook facebook.com/theclinicscal/ Twitter twitter.com/ At A Glance How to donate, support, and volunteer Donations can be accepted via The Clinic website or Facebook page. Cash or credit cards are acceptedattorneys can donate pro-bono time representing Clients in Removal proceedings with asylum claims, handling non-removal matters (guardianship orders etc) or handling appeals from adverse decisions. 1

2 Mission & Areas Served Statements Mission Statement The mission of The Clinic is to help low income individuals and families facing removal proceedings with the U.S. Immigration Court gain access to quality pro bono or discounted fee legal representation. Background Statement The Clinic, the region s first and only nonprofit (501 (c)(3)) immigration removal defense law firm was established January 1, Individuals facing removal from the US through immigration proceedings are not provided attorney representation by the government. Many who have the right to stay in the U.S. have been removed from the country because they lack access to affordable legal services. The Clinic seeks to remedy this problem by providing in-court representation to individuals across KS and MO. In 2009 the Kansas City Immigration Court opened in Kansas City, MO. Immigration court had previously been held via tele-video with judges from the Chicago immigration court. Today, the court s 2 immigration judges preside over all immigration cases arising in KS and MO. All persons in removal proceedings must come to the Kansas City Court to be heard. Prior to the inception of The Clinic there was no resource for indigent persons in removal proceedings west of Springfield, Missouri. Impact Statement Past year accomplishments:the Clinic continues to deal with the press of asylum seekers from the southern border. Nearly 3/4 of cases handled by The Clinic are asylum related. Conditions in the various detention centers continue to plague clients of The ClinicThe Clinic has received pro-bono assistance with the Unaccompanied Minors cases from Dentons US LLP a global law firm with offices in Kansas City. Since its inception The Clinic has helped persons from 32 different countries. The Clinic is seeking funding to support a Fellowship to conduct Know Your Rights Presentations to detained non-citizens. Serious issues exist with detained individuals ability to meaningfully contact counsel, provide documents or participate in their case. The Clinic continues to be solely funded by client fees and assistance from Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law. Needs Statement Young Attorneys with Fellowship Funding to Conduct Know Your Rights presentations and investigate detention issues. Current attorneys to undertake appellate work for Clinic clients.in-kind donations of office supplies, printing needs, tax accounting, etc. CEO/Executive Director/Board Chair Statement The phrase A Nation of Immigrants often has a very personal meaning to those who have bonded with the US through a relationship of the heart rather than by just soil. Being able to give to others in search of their own American Dreams provides the backbone principle of The Clinic. In no other nation can two people from two different hemispheres create one peaceful community. In no other nation is the indulgence of due process so readily given without arbitrary discrimination. But, this right sometimes comes at a cost that many cannot bear alone. It is in this simple concept that The Clinic s work finds its true anchor by providing quality legal representation to those who otherwise could not be able to obtain it. This is the passionate mix of law and humanity that drives a board of five members to dedicate their time, resources and energy in weaving the next block of the American quilt. The Clinic has been successful in helping numerous immigrants facing removal proceedings. Dozens of families are still together in the United States thanks to its efforts. However, The Clinic has had to turn down many clients in need of asylum and appellate services. To expand its services to asylum cases and appeals, The Clinic would have to hire two additional attorneys and perhaps one or two additional assistants. Additional funding is critical for The Clinic s goal of expanding its services into asylum and appeals and to help The Clinic reach its ultimate goal of becoming a full-service removal defense non-profit organization. The Clinic also currently uses the facility and personnel of the Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law firm. Although this structure has allowed The Clinic to thrive, it has also limited its independence in the public eye. As a secondary goal, The Clinic aims to fully establish its own identity and brand, separate and apart from that of the law firm. Again, additional funding would be critical for The Clinic to reach this long-term goal. Service Categories 2

3 Legal Services Ethnic/Immigrant Services Civil Rights Areas of Service Areas Served Areas KS MO The Clinic at Sharma-Crawford represents non-citizens who have cases at the Kansas City Immigration Court. The Court's jurisdiction is both Kansas and Missouri. 3

4 Programs Programs Representation in Removal Proceedings Description Category The Clinic represents clients facing removal proceedings in Kansas City immigration court. Crime & Legal, General/Other Legal Services Population Served Immigrant, Newcomers, Refugees,, Short-Term Success Long- Term Success Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success In its first year, the Clinic served approximately 129 clients. In 2016, The Clinic had 171 active cases, made up of 101 men and 70 women from 16 different countries. Of 171 active cases, 72 files were still open and 37 files were closed. Many of the clients that we help would not have legal representation but for the Clinic. Although some of these cases will be resolved before trial, many of them will proceed through trial. The Clinic is able to obtain favorable results on many of its cases. Many of its clients are satisfied because they now have their green cards or work permits, or because they are able to remain in the United States while their cases are pending. We help clients understand the process and prepare for the cases potential outcomes. The ultimate goal for Clinic clients is to remain in the United States and obtain legal status. An alternative goal for many clients is remaining in the United States until they can set their affairs in order before returning to their home country. The Clinic measures its success by the number of clients it helps and the results it obtains for those clients. We know the program is successful because our clients obtain competent legal representation and many of them are successful in court. We recently won a cancellation of removal case for a client who has lived in this country since He is a husband and a father to two U.S. citizen children. His 6-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Burkitt s Lymphoma in 2012; after intensive chemotherapy, she is thankfully in remission. Throughout his daughter s illness and recovery, our client has been the only one supporting the family financially, as his wife had to stop working so she could be home with their daughter. He has been in removal proceedings for almost three long years, during which time he and his family had no idea whether he would be able to stay, or would ultimately be removed from the United States. Now the family can finally breathe again, knowing he will soon become a lawful permanent resident. The Clinic has had approximately 250 clients since its inception. Many of our clients now have legal permanent residency and have been able to stay in the United States with their families. 4

5 Education and Outreach to Immigrants in Removal Proceedings Description Category Aid and educate the public, including the community and foreign inmates about their rights and removal proceedings. Crime & Legal, General/Other Legal Services Population Served Immigrant, Newcomers, Refugees,, Short-Term Success Long- Term Success Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success We conduct bi-monthly presentations to the Mexican Consulate and regular visits to local jails housing immigrants in removal proceedings. Our attorneys and board members who practice immigration law also meet with these individuals one-on-one for consults, and we hold various other outreach activities throughout the year. We make an effort to ensure the individuals we meet with understand their options and how to minimize their risk of removal. The ultimate goal for this program is ensuring that the local community understands its rights when facing removal proceedings. We collect data about the number of visits and Know-Your-Rights presentations that we make throughout the year. We know the program is successful because many of the individuals we meet with ask the Clinic to represent them in their removal proceedings or hire other legal counsel. Also, the number of individuals who attend our presentations and who have private consults with our attorneys is consistently high. We conduct two outreach presentations to the Mexican Consulate and meet with approximately individuals after the presentation. Every year, we also visit jails in the region that house immigrants in removal proceedings. We make Know-Your-Rights presentations to more than a hundred inmates during each visit. CEO Comments The current challenges facing The Clinic are physical space and the ability to serve all of the needs of the community. Housed in Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law, The Clinic is limited by physical space. Additionally, The Clinic has recognized that appellate work and detention issues need specific attention that current staffing limitations do not allow The Clinic to address. 5

6 Leadership & Staff Executive Director/CEO Executive Director Term Start Jan Compensation Rekha Sharma-Crawford Experience Rekha is a nationally recognized immigration immigration litigator with 20+ years of litigation experience. N/A Senior Staff Genevra Alberti Title Clinic attorney Staff Paid Full-Time Staff 2 Paid Part- Time Staff 0 Volunteers 0 Retention Rate 0% Paid Contractors 0 Plans & Policies Organization Has a Fundraising Plan Organization Has a Strategic Plan Management Succession Plan Organization Policy and Procedures Nondiscrimination Policy Whistleblower Policy Document Destruction Policy Under Development Under Development No Yes Yes No No Awards Awards Award/Recognition Organization Year Pro Bono Publico Missouri Bar 2017 Government Licenses Is your organization licensed by the government? 6

7 Board & Governance Board Chair Board Chair Rekha Sharma-Crawford Company Affiliation Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law Term Jan 2018 to Dec Board Members Name Affiliation Laurie Anderson IJAM Jim Breckenridge Bill Capotosto Retired Wade Carr Dentons Bartholomew Dean K. U. Lindsay Gray Whitlock and Gray LLC Rekha Sharma-Crawford Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law Michael Sharma-Crawford Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law Paul Weber EAG Advertising Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black 0 Asian American/Pacific Islander 1 Caucasian 7 Hispanic/Latino 1 Native American/American Indian 0 Other 0 Board Demographics - Gender Male 6 Female 3 Unspecified 0 Governance Board Term Lengths 1 Board Term Limits 0 Board Meeting Attendance % 80% Written Board Selection Criteria? Written Conflict of Interest Policy? Under Development Yes 7

8 Percentage Making Monetary Contributions 30% Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions 25% Number of Full Board Meetings Annually 6 8

9 Financials Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Start Jan 01, 2018 Fiscal Year End Dec 31, 2018 Projected Revenue $120, Projected Expenses $100, Endowment Value $0.00 Spending Policy Income Only Percentage 0% Detailed Financials Revenue and Expenses Total Revenue $138,408 $101,725 $94,997 Total Expenses $116,689 $102,983 $100,573 Revenue Sources Foundation and Corporation $138,393 $101,722 $94,994 Contributions Government Contributions $0 $0 $0 Federal -- $0 $0 State -- $0 $0 Local -- $0 $0 Unspecified -- $0 $0 Individual Contributions -- $0 $0 Indirect Public Support -- $0 $0 Earned Revenue $0 $0 $0 Investment Income, Net of Losses $15 $3 $3 Membership Dues -- $0 $0 Special Events $0 $0 $0 Revenue In-Kind -- $0 $0 Other -- $0 $0 9

10 Expense Allocation Program Expense $116,689 $102,983 $100,573 Administration Expense $0 $0 $0 Fundraising Expense $0 $0 $0 Payments to Affiliates -- $0 $0 Total Revenue/Total Expenses Program Expense/Total Expenses 100% 100% 100% Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue 0% 0% 0% Assets and Liabilities Total Assets $31,885 $10,749 $11,115 Current Assets $31,885 $10,749 $11,115 Long-Term Liabilities $0 $0 $0 Current Liabilities $10,470 $9,267 $9,095 Total Net Assets $21,415 $1,482 $2,020 Short Term Solvency Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities Long Term Solvency Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets 0% 0% 0% Top Funding Sources Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Capital Campaign Currently in a Capital Campaign? No Goal $0.00 Foundation Comments FY 2017, 2016, 2015: Financial data reported using IRS Form 990-EZ.Foundation/corporate revenue line item may include contributions from individuals. Created Copyright 2019 Greater Kansas City Community Foundation 10