Human Rights Advocacy Program celebrates with local Latino community

True to its mission to be an active and engaged member of the local community, the Brandeis Human Rights Advocacy Program showed its support of La Casita Center Sept. 10. 

La Casita's Circle of Solidarity event raised funds to support the organization's mission of enhancing "the well-being of Louisville's Latino community through education, empowerment, advocacy, and wellness."

"The event featured wonderful dancing, music and activism," said Brandeis Professor Jamie Abrams, co-founder of the Human Rights Advocacy Program. "Our fellows were able to network and learn more about an important community partner."

Established in 2014, HRAP works actively with other non-profits and stakeholders in the community to advance the human rights of immigrants, refugees and noncitizens. The program provides sustained and funded opportunities for law students to gain subject matter expertise, leadership skills and community engagement in human rights advocacy work. 

The HRAP funds student fellows for each of their three years in law school and is co-directed by Abrams and Professor Enid Trucios-Haynes.

"Our fellows were eagerly brainstorming at the event other ways that we can be involved with La Casita," Abrams said. "Our next involvement with them will include a cultural competency training for our fellows that will take place at La Casita later this month, led by their director. Some of our fellows also helped staff their first-ever legal clinic for the community, along with practicing lawyers."