To the Editor:

On Sunday, November 10, the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF) celebrated its Quinceañera in our new home in the beautiful historic 1892 building, formerly a social club for immigrant workers at the famous Roebling Wire Works in Trenton. Approximately 100 supporters and volunteers joined board members and staff to lift a glass of champagne and celebrate 15 years of providing legal representation and consultation, English-as-a-second language and citizenship classes, community identity cards, tax preparation, support to victims of domestic violence, and mentoring and coaching to 60 young students preparing for college as part of our FUTURO program.

We write today on behalf of LALDEF’s staff, board of trustees, and the more than 3,000 people we serve each year to thank The Harvest Restaurant Group/Fenwick/Agricola and Lucy’s Kitchen/One53 Restaurant, which provided the delicious food and beverages enjoyed by all who attended.

Additionally, we want to offer our deepest gratitude to a small group of very generous LALDEF advocates, who generously donated $15,000 (one thousand for each year of LALDEF’s existence) as a fundraising challenge match for the event. Attendees then joined the rally and contributed an additional $15,000 within two hours!

LALDEF — an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) — has a budget of about $600,000, 35 percent of which must be raised each year from our devoted donors old and new. We are deeply thankful for those who made our soiree a success, as well as to those who could not attend but regularly support our work to assist our immigrant friends and neighbors in these difficult times. LALDEF stands as a reminder that fairness and decency are still possible in this country; in this county; in this town. Because of these marvelous donors, we can celebrate. Because of them, we can raise our glasses and toast not only the past, but also the future of this vital organization.

Many thanks again to all our supporters and advocates.

Patricia Fernandez Kelly
Chair, The Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the LALDEF Board of Trustees