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Join us on Thursday, May 30th for Esperanza Immigration Legal Services' (EILS) 4th annual fundraiser, Celebrating Hope for Immigrants!
During a time of global humanitarian crises, we appreciate the ways immigration legal services open the doors to a better life, marked by dignity and our shared humanity.
EILS provides free comprehensive support and legal services to make dreams of a full life in the United States a reality for hundreds of immigrants each year, including citizenship and asylum services. As the leading immigration legal services provider in North Philadelphia. EILS' strength is local trust and accessibility.
Celebrating Hope for Immigrants: Our Shared Humanity will highlight our collective commitment to building hope for immigrants in our communities. We will recognize two pivotal leaders, Dr. Jack Ludmir as EILS Civic Impact Honoree and Professor Michelle Pistone as an EILS Champion Honoree, enjoy catering organized by Ange Branca of Muhibbah Dinners, a live musical performance by Cvgbird, take in the beautiful views overlooking our city, and give in support of vital legal services. 6abc's Alyana Gomez will be our host for the evening!
With your support, EILS will continue to make HOPE possible for immigrants and their families. Read on to learn more about our honorees and Celebrating Hope for Immigrants performers!
JOIN US
6:00 - 7:00pm VIP Reception for Sponsors, VIP Ticket Holders and Honored Guests
7:00 - 9:00pm Main Program
Esperanza Arts Center - Gran Salón
4261 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
FREE on-site parking
Food organized by Chef Ange Branca of Kampar and Muhibbah Dinners
Celebrating Hope for Immigrants Honorees
EILS Civic Impact Honoree, Dr. Jack Ludmir
Dr. Jack Ludmir, M.D. is a distinguished leader in maternal-fetal medicine, recognized for his pioneering work to improve healthcare for immigrant women in our region and on a global scale, including Latin America and Botswana. He is Chief Physician Executive of the Temple Women & Families Campus and Interim Chair Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Temple’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine. Previously, he was Executive Vice President of Physician Engagement and Integration at Jefferson Health System and Associate Provost for Community and Global Initiatives at Thomas Jefferson University. He is co-founder of Puentes de Salud to provide immigrants in Philadelphia with access to quality medical care; began the Latina Community Health Services and the Jefferson Latina Clinic to provide care to uninsured pregnant women; and sits on the Advisory Board for the Esperanza Institute for Latino Health Equity in North Philadelphia. Dr. Ludmir has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.
EILS Champion Honoree, Professor Michele Pistone
Professor Michele Pistone is a distinguished professor of law renowned for her relentless advocacy for immigrant rights and transformative contributions to legal education. As founder and director of initiatives like the Villanova University Strategic Initiative for Migrants + Refugees and Villanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies Training for Advocates (VIISTA), and through her leadership in clinical legal education, she has empowered countless immigrants while shaping new generations of lawyers, accredited representatives, and other immigrant advocates. Her pioneering work in integrating online technologies into legal education through platforms like LegalED reflects her commitment to accessibility and innovation. Through her research on immigration and Catholic social thought, speaking engagements on refugee and immigration law, and leadership roles, she is a driving force in advancing justice and equity in immigration law and legal education. EILS has benefitted greatly from Professor Pistone's support and volunteers from the VIISTA program.
Celebrating Hope for Immigrants Host
Alyana Gomez, 6abc News
Alyana Gomez is a seasoned broadcast journalist who joined the Action News team in February 2022 as the co-anchor of their 10 A.M. slot. Originally from Philadelphia and raised in Collingswood, New Jersey, Alyana was drawn to journalism from a young age, aiming to use her voice to influence and help others. She studied Journalism at Salisbury University in Maryland, where she began her career in local news, earning her first Associated Press award for her reporting prowess. Alyana's career took her to Jacksonville, Florida, where she won an Emmy for her coverage of a murder trial, and later to Hartford, Connecticut, where she anchored weekend mornings and launched a consumer investigative unit. Her time on the West Coast involved impactful reporting in the Bay Area, covering major events like the Wine Country fires and issues like homelessness. A mother of two, Alyana is a prominent community figure and hopes to inspire her children with her dedication to journalism and service.
CELEBRATING HOPE FOR IMMIGRANTS CHEFS
We have an incredible menu organized by Ange Branca of Muhibbah Dinners with an incredible lineup of chefs featuring Chilean, Colombian and other dishes from around the world!
Chef Ange grew up helping her grandmother in the kitchen where she learned the traditional techniques of Malaysian cooking. After consulting for international corporations, she opened Saté Kampar, a restaurant focused on satay and Malaysian cooking from scratch. It quickly became one of Philly’s top restaurants, with numerous awards. Ange founded Muhibbah Dinners, a charity dinner for Philadelphia immigration nonprofits. In 2020, Ange founded Kampar Kitchen, a platform for underrepresented food makers & diners to restore the vibrant pre-pandemic restaurant scene.
Chef Margarita was born in Cartagena, Colombia, a colorful, tropical, and sunny coastal city. After coming to the U.S. ten years ago, she settled in Philadelphia, and had a family, but found it difficult to find authentic Cartagena food here in the city. She started by making empanadas for family and friends, expanding by word of mouth until she opened Cartagena Empanadas. Though empanadas are her main focus, she makes meals like rice platters with beans, smoked pork, and vegetables — using fresh, seasonal ingredients for a balance of sweet and sour familiar to her taste buds.
Chef Reuben was born in India raised in New York. His grandfather taught him that food has the power to bring different people together to learn about different cultures. After graduating from The Culinary Institute of America and working for a Michelin Star Restaurant, fate brought him to Philadelphia to explore new culinary opportunities and struck again when he had an opportunity to travel through Mexico with a friend's family. The conversations transcended food, just as his grandfather taught him. His unique dishes blend nontraditional pairings harmoniously.
Chef Cote was born in Santiago, Chile, a place she has few but fond memories of, mostly around food. She came to the U.S. as a child, where she felt the pressure to assimilate. It wasn’t until her early 20's when she moved to Philadelphia that she decided to embrace her Chilean identity. Though her first love remains baking custom cakes and Chilean sweet treats as Mole Street Baker, she prepares other meals as well. Now, she can embrace her heritage through childhood memories of the food she loved so dearly yet make it her own, in keeping with her vegetarian beliefs.
Musical Performance by Selina "Cvgbird" Carrera
Cvgebird (pronounced Cagebird) grew up in Philly during the golden era of HipHop and Soul. Of Puerto Rican, Cuban and Brazilian descent, Cvgebird's house was always stirring with colorful-blends of music. Influenced by her father, a DJ, dancer & Afro-Taino percussionist and her mother, a Latin dancer, Cvgebird fell in love with music and began crafting her own sonic wonderland. From freestyle cyphers to late night venues and world tours, Cvgebird has unearthed their artistic identity with a sound ranging from acoustic, trap & soul with Carribean undertones. Cvgebird channels these musical stylings freely with soothing vocals and rhythmic flows. Cvgebird won Best Music Video in the Georgia Latino Film-Festival, toured with Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel of The Fugees, and was featured on Sofar Sounds “Best of the Listening Room ''.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Ray of Light
Torch of Liberty
Marirosa Colón and Eric Zager
Beacon of Hope
Lisa Clark and David Haas
Media Sponsors
Lantern of Opportunity
Barton Gilman, LLP
Customers Bank
Dr. Jack and Blima Ludmir
The Environmental Collaboratory at Drexel University
Exelon
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Fleming Law, LLP
Green and Spiegel, LLP
The Independence Foundation
Lagom Care
Landau, Hess, Simon, Choi & Doebley
Mutual of America
Raynes and Lawn, LLP
Stradley Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP
Your Part Time Controller
For questions about registration or sponsorship opportunities, please contact twanamaker@esperanza.us or cnieves@esperanza.us
215-324-0746 X 247.
,
development@esperanza.us
Celebrating Hope for Immigrants
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Celebrating Hope for Immigrants
To make a donation in support of EILS' citizenship services for immigrants in Philadelphia, please check the box below!
Thank you for joining us for Celebrating Hope for Immigrants
We looking forward to seeing you on May 30th!
The official registration and financial information of Esperanza Immigration Legal Services may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by Calling toll free, within PA 1(800)732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.