Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Inc (HRI)

A nonprofit organization

100% complete

$40,000 Goal

Founded 22 years ago by social worker Serena Simmons Connelly and lawyer Elizabeth Healy, the Dallas-based Human Rights Initiative of North Texas has grown into an award-winning agency helping immigrant survivors of human rights abuses from all over the world. 

Our courageous and resilient clients are eligible to apply for legal status under the humanitarian provisions of United States immigration laws and policies. They are:

  1. asylum seekers fleeing persecution on the basis of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group
  2. children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected; and 
  3. victims of family violence and violent crimes. 

HRI's Legal team partners with pro bono attorneys from top DFW firms to help clients access the U.S. Immigration System. Our Social Services team offers transitional support and referrals to help address trauma and ease the hardships of profound displacement. HRI Connect supports immigrant leadership, community-building, and self-advocacy. 

Because of our pro bono partnerships, HRI is able to get $3 in services for every dollar donated, and 94% of our funds go directly to programs and services. HRI serves only those who live below 150% of federal poverty guidelines and could not otherwise afford services. All of our services are free, and all are designed to help our clients forge a path to freedom, safety, and opportunity.

For more information, visit www.hrionline.org.

Mission

Human Rights Initiative of North Texas provides free legal and social services to immigrants and asylum seekers who have suffered human rights abuses. HRI advocates for justice and promotes international human rights.

Needs

The past year proved challenging for our clients as anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies continued to hinder their journey from persecution and abuse to safety and opportunity. Despite these obstacles, HRI's expert staff and volunteers stood alongside our clients, ensuring that they receive the immigration relief they deserve. We know that legal representation is the critical difference between returning to persecution and abuse and the possibility of safety and citizenship in the United States.

With your support, you ensure access to expert-level legal representation for some of the most vulnerable people in the immigration system. Stand with us as we speak up for human rights and advocate for a more humane immigration system.

Here's how your donation makes a difference:

--HRI legal teams continue to fight for just and compassionate outcomes for our clients despite the challenges of an immense backlog and anti-immigrant policies;

--Our Access Fund reduces barriers, underwriting employment authorization and other application fees, language services, and transportation to and from essential services;

-- HRI Social Services has distributed financial and material aid to help immigrants secure shelter and feed their families; and

-- HRI Connect/Conexion HRI, a group of HRI clients and the people who love them, creates solutions to issues affecting our clients, such as expending access to healthcare and educating our community on policies affecting immigrants.

At HRI, we know that community means supporting each other when human rights are threatened. Join us and give your generous gift today!

Equity Statement

HRI fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge diverse backgrounds and voices. Our visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the HRI family make us stronger. Each voice enables us to be better equipped to make positive impacts locally and nationally.

Please visit our website to learn more:

https://hrionline.org/hri-organizational-statement-on-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/

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Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Inc (HRI)

Tax id (EIN)

75-2842602

Guidestar

Causes

Immigrants & Refugees, LGBTQIA, Social Services

Operating Budget

$1,000,000 - $2,999,999

Counties Served

Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Tarrant

BIPOC Serving

Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx

BIPOC Leadership

Board Chair

Equity Statement

Equity Statement

Address

2801 Swiss Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204

Phone

469-581-2172

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