Staff Moves into New Rented Office Space

In June 2011, Tahirih’s Houston office signed a lease and moved into rented office space in the Galleria neighborhood of Houston. Tahirih made this move with the help of many individuals and companies—all of whom generously donated their services and helped secure office furniture for our new space. We’d like to thank:

Realtor Lynette Lew
Gary Greene of Prudential
James Stone of J. Stone Construction
Jones Day
Shell Oil Company
Advisory Council of Houston Member Mitch Gibbons

We are deeply grateful to St. Joseph Medical Center; Akin Gump LLP; Houston Advisory Council member Marty McVey, President of McVey & Associates LLC; and Houston Advisory Council member Chris LaFollette for their support and the donation of space which incubated Tahirih’s Houston office through our formative 18 months in the community.

Tahirih will host an Open House to introduce the community to our new space on November 17, 2011 from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. We hope to see you there!

The new office will be located at 1717 St. James Place, Suite 320, Houston, TX 77056. Phone: 713-496-0100; Fax: 713-481-1793.

Two Fellows Will Join Tahirih’s Team

Tahirih’s Houston office is pleased to welcome two new legal fellows: Robine Morrison, a Winston & Strawn Law Fellow, and Jessica L. Howton, a Notre Dame Fellow.

Robine Morrison, a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law and a Houston native, is working as a full-time Winston & Strawn Law Fellow at Tahirih assisting our Immigration Law Pro Bono Project during the fall of 2011. She is a part of Winston & Strawn’s recently created fellowship program intended to develop the skills of incoming associates and encourage their participation in public interest work while helping out local legal aid groups. We are thrilled to have Robine working with us, and look forward to furthering Winston & Strawn’s contribution to pro bono legal aid.

Jessica L. Howton will be the beneficiary of the new, highly competitive Notre Dame Fellows program “designed to help launch long-term public service careers for Notre Dame Law School graduates who have the potential to make a difference in their communities.” Beginning on December 15, Jessica will spend her two-year fellowship working as an immigration staff attorney in Tahirih’s Houston office, providing direct representation to immigrant and refugee women and girls fleeing violence. She will also be updating materials for the pro bono attorneys who volunteer their expertise in the representation of Tahirih’s clients and improving educational outreach programs for local immigrant communities. In her application for the position, Jessica stated, “The women and girls that my proposed [fellowship] project will serve comprise one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. My project would allow me to use my Notre Dame education to be their voice and promote their human dignity against the discrimination, violence, and ignorance they currently struggle against.” We are excited to welcome Jessica to Tahirih’s team and look forward to her supporting the courage of our clients.

View Notre Dame’s press release about Jessica and its other Fellows

Events Show Community Support for Houston Office

Over the summer, the Houston community hosted two events to support the Tahirih Justice Center and raise local awareness about the women and girls we serve and the issues they face.

On June 30, Houston Director Anne Chandler presented a Continuing Legal Education reception sharing information with the legal committee on the issues of human trafficking in Houston and the need for legal services for immigrant women and girls fleeing violence. Nearly 100 Tahirih clients, pro bono attorneys, and friends attended. The evening was hosted by Texas Women Lawyers and the law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Friend.

On July 12, Board of Directors’ member Kelley Jennings generously hosted an event at the Houston Club introducing the Legal Subcommittee of the Tahirih Justice Center’s Advisory Council of Houston. Remarks were provided by Advisory Council of Houston members and Legal Subcommittee Co-Chairs Mitch Gibbons (Jones Day) and Lydia Protopapas (Weil, Gotshal, & Manges). Local firms and corporations, including representatives of Jones Day; Marathon Oil; Mayer Brown; Skadden; Vinson & Elkins; Watt Beckworth Thompson Henneman & Sullivan LLP; Weil, Gotshal & Manges; and Winston & Strawn attended the event. Half of attendees later agreed to join the Legal Subcommittee as attorney advocates for Tahirih.

• April 29, 2011: 9 News Now, “Victim Advocates Praise Lara Logan For Speaking Out,” by Peggy Fox
• May 12, 2011: TEDx Conference, “Innovate: Justice,” by Layli Miller Muro (video)
• May 18, 2011: The Dailey Caller, “‘The Office’ star Rainn Wilson coming to DC,”
  by Laura Donovan
• May 26, 2011: Washington Examiner, “Wilson, Winger support Tahirih Benefit,” by Katy Adams and Nikki Schwab
• June 10, 2011: TEDxConference, “Layli Miller-Muro – Post-talk Interview,” by Layli Miller-Muro (video)
• June 19, 2011: Washington Examiner, “Accused abusers now being tracked,” by Emily Babay
• July 31, 2011: Interfaith Radio, “Interview with Layli Miller-Muro” (audio)
• August 9, 2011: Dan Rather Reports, “What Happened Next? Forced Marriage” (watch an excerpt or purchase the whole episode on iTunes)
• August 15, 2011: Roll Call, “Miller-Muro: Protections for Victims of Abuse,” by Layli Miller-Muro
• August 19, 2011: Human Rights Brief – American University, “Interview: Layli Miller-Muro [PDF],” by Elizabeth Francis
• August 30, 2011: Huffington Post, “Child Marriage Is ‘A Major Psychological Trauma,’ New Study Says,” by Catherine Pearson
• September 14, 2011: The Daily Beast, “A Night of Extraordinary Women,” by Liz Goodwin

In Your Community

Upcoming Events: Join Tahirih attorneys and staff in these upcoming outreach and training opportunities!

• September 29—Free Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Training, DLA Piper, Houston, TX. For more information, view the invitation (PDF).
• October 18—CLSS Training on Representing Immigrant Victims of Sexual Violence: Safely Discussing Traumatic, George Mason University, Arlington, VA. For more information, visit Tahirih’s webpage. 
• November 10—Asylum Claims Based on Membership in a Particular Social Group, online webinar. For more information, visit the Immigrant Legal Resource Center website. 
• November 16—Working with Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault within Immigrant Communities, Akin Gump, Washington, DC. For more information, visit Tahirih’s webpage. 
• November 17—Immigration Relief for Victims of Domestic Violence and the Kennedy Amendment, Columbia, MD. Open only to members of the Maryland Legal Aid Society.

Since April 15, 2011, Tahirih has conducted outreach or trainings at the following organizations and events:

• Abraham & Watkins, Houston, TX
• Adelante Familia, Baltimore, MD
• Aggies Monthly Breakfast, Revielle Outreach, Houston, TX
• Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Washington, DC
• Arnold and Porter LLP, Washington, DC
• DC Bar Advanced Asylum Law Training, Washington, DC
• Department of Homeland Security, USCIS Ombudsman Office, Houston, TX
• Elon University’s Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic Seminar, Elon, NC
• Fairfax County Dept. of Family Services, Fairfax, VA
• Falls Church Rotary Club, Falls Church, VA
• Florida Coastal Law School, Jacksonville, FL
• Harris County Judicial Education Conference, Houston, TX
• Hogar Immigrant Services, Falls Church, VA
• The Houston Club, Houston, TX
• Houston Volunteer Lawyer’s Program, Houston, TX
• Houston Young Lawyer’s Association, Houston, TX
• Jones Day, Washington, DC
• Kiwanis Club, Falls Church, VA
• Legal Momentum/Vera Institute of Justice, Alexandria, VA
• Milbank Tweed, Washington DC
• National Sexual Assault Conference, Baltimore, MD
• Partners for Justice Conference, Baltimore, MD
• Prince William County Back to School Symposium, Forest Park High School, Woodbridge, VA
• Regional Victim Assistance Training in Portsmouth, VA
• SAFE Inc, Washington, DC
• State Bar of Texas, Immigration Task Force, Houston, TX
• Warrenton Police Department, Warrenton, VA
• Women United for the Advancement of African Countries Conference and Expo, Boston, MA
• The Woodlands, Houston, TX

I am so honored to share with you that I will be speaking about Tahirih’s innovative work through a TEDx talk tomorrow at TEDx Grand Rapids! This event invites leading thinkers and doers to participate in an inspiring day of thought-provoking presentations, performances and conversations. TED is a widely known nonprofit dedicated to Ideas Worth Sharing, and this event will be attended by over 600 in person and many more who will view the talks online. I am at once humbled and excited by this wonderful opportunity to share Tahirih’s efforts to protect women and girls fleeing violence with such a wide audience. Please join me by watching the livestream of my talk “INNOVATE: JUSTICE” tomorrow at 12:15pm EST!

I am also writing to encourage you to join us at Tahirih’s Fourteenth Annual Fundraising Benefit on May 25^th at the Carnegie Institution of Washington! Ticket sales have been extended through Wednesday, May 18. The Benefit offers a wonderful and unique opportunity to celebrate the courage and resilience of the women and girls Tahirih serves.

If you are unable to attend the Benefit, please don’t miss the chance to bid on the exciting items in Tahirih’s new Online Silent Auction. Scroll down to see which items we’ve just added—and which you need to bid on NOW before time is up! For a preview of other great items and packages that will be available exclusively to attendees of our Fourteenth Annual Fundraising Benefit, please see below.

Please share this message with your friends, and remember to bid generously! All our items have been donated by generous supporters, so 100% of all sales go directly to the Tahirih Justice Center.

Warm regards,

Layli Miller-Muro
Executive Director

Your Ticket to Fun (Four 1-Day Walt Disney World Park Hopper Passes)

Limited time left to bid on this item!

Looking for an adventure? Look no further than one of the most magical places on Earth! These four one-day passes can be used in any combination—for a one-day family fun trip for four, a two-day romantic getaway for a couple, or a four-day solo safari through the many experiences Disney has to offer.

Bid on this item on eBay NOW!

Pearls for Women and Girls (Amylin Pearl Necklace)

Limited time left to bid on this item!

 This natural gray and black Tahitian pearl necklace with 18k white gold clasp is a timeless, one-of-a-kind beauty. The uniquely tear-shaped pearls are strung on a single 17inch strand. Each cultured pearl is a slightly different shade of gray, ranging from nearly white to almost black, and each bears the same incredible luster, creating an overall effect of iridescent silver. Flattering on any skin tone and with almost any outfit, this necklace is destined to become a wardrobe staple.

Bid on this item on eBay NOW!

Host an Event to Make History (One day’s use of the historic Mount Airy Mansion)

Available online NOW!

Looking for an idyllic back drop for your upcoming wedding, family reunion, or blow-out bash? Look no further! Located in Upper Marlboro’s scenic hunt country, the beautiful Mount Airy Mansion is nestled on 1,000 acres of wooded grounds in southern Maryland. The historic building virtually hums with history—originally built in the seventeenth century as a hunting lodge for the Third Lord Baltimore, the Mansion has since seen seven presidents, weddings, births, deaths, and parties from the intimate to the epic. Become a part of Mount Airy’s history with your own event in this gorgeous setting. For more information visit http://www.mountairymansion.org/.

Bid on this item on eBay NOW!

This Is the Real Doggie Paddle (Six one-hour therapeutic canine swim sessions at Gunny’s Rainbow)

Available online NOW!

Is your dog elderly, arthritic, or just looking for a new way to exercise? Bring him to Gunny’s Rainbow, LLC in Bethesda for private indoor swim sessions in a state-of-the-art warm water pool. But Gunny’s Rainbow is more than just a pool—it’s a “dog spa” where you and your dog go to laugh and rejuvenate, and to enjoy the tranquility and peace of the pool room. For more information visit http://www.gunnysrainbow.com/index.html. 

Bid on this item on eBay NOW!

In the Lap of Luxury (Two night weekend stay for two at Ink48 in a King Deluxe room):

Available online NOW!

There’s nowhere like New York City. But Ink48, a Kimpton Hotel, makes a statement as distinctive as the city itself. Bring a guest to enjoy a two night weekend stay and indulge in this one-of-a-kind soaring urban retreat of rejuvenation and revelation featuring open-air gardens and panoramic city and Hudson River views. Highlighting the dynamic signature of Hell’s Kitchen, this luxury boutique hotel fuels the spirit and soul, inspires self-discovery, and celebrates the complex beauty of expression. Your 275 square foot King Deluxe room will embrace unobstructed city views of the North or East, and includes an iHome, Etro spa-inspired bath amenities, luxurious shower and terry cloth animal print robes—just to name a few of its plush amenities. If you feel the
need to leave your room, you can visit the Ink Spa, an urban oasis of renewal with tailored treatments created especially for each individual client, or one of the two beautiful destination restaurants on-site. Good for a two night weekend stay for two guests. Valid through February 1, 2012.

Bid on this item on eBay now!

Leave Your Mark (18k Dilmun Seal Necklace)

Available online NOW!

Leave your mark on anyone’s memory with this gorgeous 18k gold necklace bearing a pendant with the Dilmun seal. Used when Bahrain was known as “Dilmun” and the land was a major trading partner on the route to the east, seals were used to leave a mark as unique and recognizable as a signature. These little round stamps have been found as far as the Indus Valley in Pakistan and in the ancient cities of Iraq, as well as in tombs in Bahrain. Recreated here in stunning 18k gold and strung on a slim, flexible gold chain, this Dilmun seal bears the head of an ox and a patterned outer border. Generously donated by Her Excellency Houda Nonoo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Bid on this item on eBay now!

Dine in Liechtenstein (Dinner for six at Ambassador’s Residence of Liechtenstein)

Available online soon!

Cross international borders and dine with Her Excellency Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United States, at the Ambassador’s residence in Washington, DC. Prepare your questions about the principality’s royal family, known as the Princely House, or use the dinner as a chance to learn more about this internationally networked small state open to the world. For example, did you know that Liechtenstein is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world? Or that the country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency? Get some quick background at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ls.html. Available online soon!

Run Away for Awhile (four nights in three bedroom Myrtle Beach penthouse condo)

Available online soon!

Daily grind getting you down? Time to get away! And how better than with four nights at this oceanfront three bedroom penthouse at Dunes Village resort hotel in Myrtle Beach? Get up early to watch the sunrise while sipping your coffee—if you think it’s too chilly to sit on the beach and watch for dolphins, do it from the comfort of the suite’s living room or master bedroom’s panoramic balcony! With three bedrooms hosting one king and two queen sized beds, each with their own full bathroom, plus a sofa bed in the living room, you’ve got the flexibility to host the whole family—or leave the kids at home for a girls’ weekend out or take advantage of the golf concierge during a bachelor retreat! Lay back and relax in a luxurious Jacuzzi tub, cook dinner in the full kitchen with granite counter tops, and feel free to use the in-suite washer and dryer to take care of any dirty laundry. You’ll certainly have some wet swim suits after you make use of the extensive and elaborate indoor swim park. Available online soon!

Sitting Pretty (Gregory Fine Portrait session)

Available online soon!

You look absolutely gorgeous, and your family is charming! Celebrate this moment in time with a Fine Portrait Session with Mark Gregory, including an initial consultation, a weekday portrait sitting in your home or preferred outdoor location, a selection appointment, AND a classic 11×14 fine art photographic print! Mark Gregory’s fine family or personal portraits are personal works of art, as well as beautiful and timeless keepsakes perfect to display prominently in your own home or to gift to a dearly loved family member or friend.

Package includes: initial in-home design and planning consultation; weekday portrait sitting at your home or preferred outdoor location; in-home selection appointment to review and choose favorite images; delivery of finished portraits; and the production of one classic 11×14 fine art photographic portrait.

Alternate option: should the winner prefer, the full $1,200 value of the certificate may be applied toward a wall décor portrait, in place of the above. Available online soon!

Available Exclusively at Tahirih’s Fourteenth Annual Fundraising Benefit:

Silent Auction items:

Go Ape! (4 Gorilla tickets to Go Ape Treetop Adventure): Channel your inner Tarzan with these passes to a day of adventure at Go Ape’s highly interactive treetop adventure.

Let’s Get Physical (Curves one-year gym membership): Work up a sweat, whip yourself into shape, or lose some extra weight with this one year full access pass to Curves’ Falls Church, VA location!

One Hot Pot (blue and white Motahaddeh cachepot): Cachepots are traditionally used for cut or potted flowers, but this beautifully patterned piece is strong enough to display alone.

Rise and Shine! (10 classes at Sun Moon Yoga): Breathe deep, stretch your body, and balance your mind at Sun Moon Yoga, three locations in Northern Virginia. Classes for kids, too!

Angles and Curves (Paulo Mendes da Rocha: Fifty Years 1957-2007 and strong>Oscar Niemeyer: Curves of Irreverence, coffee table books on Brazilian architects): Da Rocha created architecture with a sense of responsibility not only to the buildings inhabitants, but to a larger society; Niemeyer was inspired by the “free and sensual curve” he saw in mountains, rivers, and women. Compare their work with two gorgeous coffee table books.

Win Free Money! ($100 Groupon gift certificate): $100 of credit to spend on any of Groupon’s daily deals, including restaurants, spas, local theatre and activities, and more!

Raffle Package:

DMV Adventure Package

No, not the Department of Motor Vehicles—though if that’s the last place you’ve been to in the DC/Maryland/Virginia region, you need to win this raffle! If you’re stuck in a rut, going out to the same old places for family outings, romantic dates, or friends-only getaways, then this package is for you! Explore something new with gift certificates and free passes to delicious eateries and unique experiences in the DC/Maryland/Virginia region. View map of adventures.

Package includes:

• $100 gift certificate for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch at Rivers at the Watergate Restaurant, where you will enjoy deliciously classic American fare in a contemporary setting with spectacular views of the Kennedy Center. Expires December 31, 2011.
• Two passes to a 40-minute Narrated Cruise of the Annapolis Harbor and US Naval Academy aboard the Harbor Queen on Watermark Cruises. Expires September 30, 2011, weather permitting.
• $150 gift certificate to Busboys and Poets, a restaurant, bookstore, fair trade market, and gathering place where people can come and exchange ideas over a great meal. Two locations in DC and one in Arlington.
• Free pass to the Meadows Farms Golf Course, home of the longest hole in the United States. Good for one round of golf and use of a cart for one person only. Includes $20 gift card to Meadows Farms, redeemable at Meadows Farms Golf Course, Nursery, or Landscaping. Golf Course located in Locust Grove, VA.
• Two passes for two persons to the Alexandria – National Harbor Water Taxi,
  a 25-minute trip operating daily by the Potomac Riverboat Company between the charming historic seaport of Old Town Alexandria, VA and the 300-acre waterfront destination National Harbor, MD. Expire December 31, 2011.
• Two tickets to see Don Quixote at Synetic Theatre in Arlington, VA, June 2-July 3, 2011. Enjoy a journey through Quixote’s dreaming mind as he moons over the heedless Dulcinea, journeys across the Spanish countryside, and (of course) tilts at windmills.

Dear friends,

I am excited to invite you to participate in our first-ever Online Silent Auction! We recognize that you may be unable to make it to our Annual Benefit in person but would still like to be a part of our biggest fundraising event of the year. I am delighted to introduce Tahirih’s eBay store, where we will give you the opportunity to get great deals on special opportunities while supporting our life-saving work!

Read on for highlights of some of Tahirih’s Silent Auction items. Though a select few will be made available online, many will be exclusively available at Tahirih’s Fourteenth Annual
Fundraising Benefit on May 25th!

Your Ticket to Fun (Four 1-Day Walt Disney World Park Hopper Passes)

Available online NOW!

Looking for an adventure? Look no further than one of the most magical places on Earth! These four one-day passes can be used in any combination—for a one-day family fun trip for four, a two-day romantic getaway for a couple, or a four-day solo safari through the many experiences Disney has to offer.

Bid on this item on eBay NOW!

Pearls for Women and Girls (Amylin Pearl Necklace)

Available online NOW!

 This natural gray and black Tahitian pearl necklace with 18k white gold clasp is a timeless, one-of-a-kind beauty. The uniquely tear-shaped pearls are strung on a single 17inch strand. Each cultured pearl is a slightly different shade of gray, ranging from nearly white to almost black, and each bears the same incredible luster, creating an overall effect of iridescent silver. Flattering
on any skin tone and with almost any outfit, this necklace is destined to become a wardrobe staple.

Bid on this item on eBay NOW!

Host an Event to Make History (One day’s use of the historic Mount Airy Mansion)

Available online soon!

Looking for an idyllic back drop for your upcoming wedding, family reunion, or blow-out bash? Look no further! Located in Upper Marlboro’s scenic hunt country, the beautiful Mount Airy Mansion is nestled on 1,000 acres of wooded grounds in southern
Maryland. The historic building virtually hums with history—originally built in the seventeenth century as a hunting lodge for the Third Lord Baltimore, the Mansion has since seen seven presidents, weddings, births, deaths, and parties from the intimate to the epic. Become a part of Mount Airy’s history with your own event in this gorgeous setting. For more information visit http://www.mountairymansion.org/. Available online soon!

This Is the Real Doggie Paddle (Six one-hour therapeutic canine swim sessions at Gunny’s Rainbow)

Available online soon!

Is your dog elderly, arthritic, or just looking for a new way to exercise? Bring him to Gunny’s Rainbow, LLC in Bethesda for private indoor swim sessions in a state-of-the-art warm water pool. But Gunny’s Rainbow is more than just a pool—it’s a “dog spa” where you and your dog go to laugh and rejuvenate, and to enjoy the tranquility and peace of the pool room. For more information visit http://www.gunnysrainbow.com/index.html. Available online soon!

Dine in Liechtenstein (Dinner for six at the Ambassador’s Residence of Liechtenstein)

Available online soon!

Cross international borders and dine with Her Excellency Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United States, at the Ambassador’s residence in Washington, DC. Prepare your questions about the principality’s royal family, known as the Princely House, or use the dinner as a chance to learn more about this internationally networked small state open to the world. For example, did you know that Liechtenstein is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world? Or that the country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency? Get some quick background at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ls.html.
Available online soon!

Run Away for Awhile (four nights in three bedroom Myrtle Beach penthouse condo)

Available online soon!

Daily grind getting you down? Time to get away! And how better than with four nights at this oceanfront three bedroom penthouse at Dunes Village resort hotel in Myrtle Beach? Get up early to watch the sunrise while sipping your coffee—if you think it’s too chilly to sit on the beach and watch for dolphins, do it from the comfort of the suite’s living room or master bedroom’s panoramic balcony! With three bedrooms hosting one king and two queen sized beds, each with their own full bathroom, plus a sofa bed in the living room, you’ve got the flexibility to host the whole family—or leave the kids at home for a girls’ weekend out or take advantage of the golf concierge during a bachelor retreat! Lay back and relax in a luxurious Jacuzzi tub, cook dinner in the full kitchen with granite counter tops, and feel free to use the in-suite washer and dryer to take care of any dirty laundry. You’ll certainly have some wet swim suits after you make use of the extensive and elaborate indoor swim park. Available online soon!

Please share this message with your friends, and remember to bid generously! All our items have been donated by generous supporters, so 100% of all sales go directly to the Tahirih Justice Center.

Warm regards,

Layli Miller-Muro
Executive Director

With this additional personnel, Tahirih will have greatly expanded capacity to leverage local resources and increase our impact on the lives of immigrant and refugee women in Houston seeking justice. Our new Social Worker is working with clients to connect them to vital resources to meet their urgent needs, including medical services, shelter, food, and clothing. Our Immigration Attorney will double Tahirih’s capacity to provide direct legal representation and co-counsel immigration cases to women and girls fleeing violence in Houston. Finally, our Community Relations and Development Officer is deepening Tahirih’s connection to the local community and strengthening our financial base in the region.

We are thrilled to introduce our two newest Houston staff members:

Yuanyuan Feng—Social Worker

Yuanyuan obtained a Masters in Social Work with a concentration on Children and Families from the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work, and a Masters of Arts in Sociology from Nanjing University. Prior to joining Tahirih, Yuanyuan provided mental health counseling, case management support, and bio-psychosocial assessments to clients of Harris and Fort Bend Counties while employed by Catholic Charities of Galveston-Houston. Yuanyuan brings to our Houston office extensive experience of serving immigrants and refugees in our community.

Grace Young Baechle—Community Relations and Development Officer

Originally from Boston, Grace obtained a Masters in Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami, and a Bachelors of Arts from New York University in Mathematics. Prior to joining Tahirih’s Houston office, Grace worked in the development field and has worked in the financial sector as an Investment Analyst for several years. She has helped several local non-profits, including LIFE/Houston, Collaborative for Children, and Child Advocates after leaving her post as Senior Director for the United Way of Miami. Grace is responsible for the Houston office’s community and corporate outreach, development, and event planning initiatives.

Are you interested in joining the Houston team?

The Houston office is currently looking for Volunteers in the following areas: office administration, information technology, licensed medical health practice, and translation, especially in Arabic, Farsi, French, and Spanish. If you are interested in volunteering contact houston@tahirih.org.

Tahirih is Hiring in Houston! Apply to join the Tahirih family as one of the following:

• Immigration Attorney (PDF)
• Baha’i Service Fellowship: complete fellowship description (PDF) and application (DOC)

Nearly 450 individuals, foundations, and corporations from across the country responded generously to our urgent plea for support immediately following the loss of an important federal grant. Your combined efforts helped us raise over $197,000 in critical funds and enabled us to secure the entire $25,000 matching grant generously provided by the Moriah Fund. In total, our end of year appeal generated over $222,000! This is a huge accomplishment and an inspiring reflection of your dedication to our work. It is because of you that we are strengthened in our ability to provide life-saving services to courageous immigrant women and girls fleeing human rights abuses in the greater Washington, DC, Houston, and Baltimore areas.

From all of us at the Tahirih family, thank you.

Warmest regards,

Layli Miller-Muro
Executive Director

This morning, I met with another woman I couldn’t help. She was from Guatemala, had three children, and was in her early 30s. Just four days ago, her US citizen husband beat her, punching her in the face and leaving her severely bruised in the lip, jaw, and eye. After years of abuse, she’d finally gotten up the courage to call 911 and go to the Harris County District Attorneys’ Office to obtain a protective order. Now, instead of receiving protection from an abusive partner, her immigration status is being scrutinized and she is at risk of deportation. Like many abusers, her partner used the immigration system as a further tool of abuse and, in an act of revenge, pulled the pending immigration status application he previously submitted on her behalf. If he succeeds in his efforts, she and her non-US citizen two year old child will be deported into poverty. Her other two US citizen children (seven and five years old) are likely to join their mother in Guatemala where they will be prey for gangs—the alternative is to stay in the United States to be raised by a dangerous parent or be dumped into a foster home. The sad thing is that she is entitled to protective legal status. If she could access this legal network, she and her children would not have to leave the only home they have known.

Our Houston office only has one other staff, in addition to me. We are doing all we can to help the overwhelming number of women who come to us for help, but we cannot help them all. (This month, alone, I had to turn away 17 women who asked us for help.) For this client, I was only able to give her the phone numbers of other organizations to call, encourage her to keep hope, and to call me back in a month to see if we have more capacity then.

I have been leading the Tahirih Justice Center’s Houston office since we first opened in September of 2009. Since then, we have accomplished a lot. We are currently representing 34 primary clients and their family members. We have provided legal support and advice to over 100 women and children fleeing gender-based violence. Through the generosity of pro bono networks of attorneys, medical providers and interpreters, we turn every dollar we receive into five dollars worth of services and keep our overhead costs below 5 percent (including in-kind revenue). Nationwide, we have assisted over 11,000 clients since our inception and maintain a 99% litigation success rate.

In spite of our successes, we are failing to meet the needs of immigrant women in Houston fleeing violence. We need to hire another attorney to take on more cases and to provide quality support to an even greater number of pro-bono attorneys. I am excited to let you know that we recently received a grant from the Houston Endowment, which combined with your donation, will allow us to bring on another attorney. The Endowment has joined The Simmons Foundation, The Texas Bar Foundation and The Kempner Fund, among others, in recognizing the comprehensive holistic approach Tahirih uses to protect and rebuild the lives of our clients. And while these generous funders support our work, it is not enough to meet all of the needs in the Houston community. To raise the remainder of money needed, we need to raise $35,000. Please consider investing in Tahirih’s capacity by giving a monthly gift of $42 or an outright donation of $500. This amount represents one tenth of the total cost absorbed by Tahirih to litigate and provide social services to support one family.

You have rallied around the women who have needed your support before. I have faith that our community can muster the same support now. Please help us protect more immigrant women fleeing human rights abuses in Houston. Our clients are extremely vulnerable and often have nowhere else to turn. Tahirih is the only organization in Houston that provides the range of services that we do and focuses on the needs of immigrant women and children. Once they have come to us, they have already gone through so much. We should not have to turn them away. Thank you for any amount you are able to give.

Warmest regards,

Anne Chandler
Director, Houston Office of the Tahirih Justice Center

Tahirih’s offices are located in donated office space generously provided by DLA Piper and conveniently located three blocks from the Baltimore Immigration Court and USCIS offices. It is surrounded by a variety of public transit options, making it far easier to get to for clients who may not have access to a car or other reliable private transportation.

In addition to better serving existing Baltimore clients, Tahirih has begun to take on new cases from the local community. Our first Baltimore pro bono case was successfully placed with an attorney at DLA Piper, who has worked closely with the client on her asylum application. The office is accepting referrals from colleague organizations in the city, and staff attorney Morgan Weibel is representing a number of new Baltimore clients in asylum petitions and other legal matters.

Our Baltimore presence has provided Tahirih with a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the local community and educate those who work with the population on the particular needs of immigrant women and girls fleeing gender-based violence. Tahirih staff have provided trainings to service providers, government advocates, members of the general public, and others at the Maryland State Board of Victim Services, DLA Piper Baltimore, University of Maryland Law School/AILA/North Carolina Legal Services, and the 5th Baltimore Immigration Summit on Reframing the Issues. Additionally, on August 24, 2010, Staff Attorney Morgan Weibel attended the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention’s town hall meeting for victims and spoke about the distinct challenges that Tahirih’s clients face.