Libertas Takes DC!

During the week of March 20th, members of the Libertas staff, Dinali, Walter, Ben, Flint and Jason attended the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs (NCTTP) Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. Each year, members of the Consortium are invited to attend a full day Symposium, a multidisciplinary forum for the exchange of original research and systematic literature review among professionals providing services for survivors of torture. This year’s symposium “A Long and Winding Road: Ongoing Challenges and Healing Processes for Forced Migrants and Survivors of Torture” discussed the care of survivors across the disciplines of  medicine, psychology, social work, case management, epidemiology, and law.

Libertas staff members Flint, Jason, Walter, Dinali, and Ben pose with our client, Achiro Olwoch (center left), after the The Paying it Forward panel!

A Libertas client and brilliant playwright Achiro P. Olwoch participated in The Paying it Forward Panel in which she and other survivors of torture share a glimpse of their history, experiences, and how they pay it forward by advocating for other survivors of torture and trauma. Achiro notes that she feels she can make a difference through her art and continuing to write and create.  We are extremely proud of not only Achiro’s progress but all the panelists who fled persecution in search of hope. 

Colleague Julia Leschi from HealthRight International, Jason, Ben, and Flint in front of House Representative Jeffries' office!

In addition, Libertas staff  went to Capitol Hill for NCTTP Advocacy day and met with staff members for Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, and House Representatives Hakeem Jeffries and Grace Meng to advocate for support for survivors. They were also granted a brief tour of the House Floor. 

We would like to thank the NCTTP for extending this invitation to us and for sharing the work of organizations dedicated to the wellbeing of asylum seekers and torture survivors. 

Libertas Clinical Director & Social Worker attend Choose Healthy Life Fair in Jackson Heights

Walter and Jason have made a concerted effort to continue Libertas community outreach to continue to connect with Queens residents and survivors throughout the five boroughs.

On December 17th, Clinical Director Walter Fendrich and Social Worker Jason Yu attended the Choose Healthy Life Health Fair in Jackson Heights, hosted by St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church!

Libertas connected with community members at an event that also offered free health scans, giveaways, flu shots, and insurance information. Walter and Jason were excited to discuss our services and healthcare opportunities with local seniors. Thank you St. Mark AME!

Riverside Language Community Resource Fair joined by Libertas Social Worker and Social Work Intern

On December 8th, Social Worker Jason Yu and Social Work Intern Malli Kamimura attended the Riverside Language Program Community Resource Fair! 130 Riverside students joined dozens of other community members to gather at the B’nai Jeshurun Community House in Manhattan. They connected with local resources, enrolled in training programs, and learned more about available social & workforce services. 

Jason and Malli enjoyed presenting on Libertas services and meeting so many dedicated, immigrant-focused programs in NYC! Thank you Riverside Language!

Fast Facts from Fiscal Year 2022

The Libertas Center is proud to have served survivors of torture for over 1.5 decades. As our program continues to grow, we're happy to share some #fastfacts on our clients and services from the past fiscal year. In FY22:

• 368 clients were served by the Libertas Center, including 69 new clients

• 91% of clients were seeking asylum at Libertas intake

• 204 clients (55%) received Mental Health Services

• 144 clients (39%) were primarily Spanish speaking 

• >9,000 pro bono hours were contributed to the Libertas Center

We look forward to continuing to provide holistic, strengths-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate, dedicated, and compassionate medical, mental health, social, and legal services to our clients.

Community Connections: QBPO Immigrant Resource Fair

Libertas Center’s bilingual Social Worker, Cybele Martinez, talked with Queens residents about our services.

On a wonderful autumn Saturday in the Park of the Americas in Corona, Libertas connected with more than 50 community members and over a dozen organizations at the Queens Immigrant Resource Fair. The event was hosted and facilitated by the Queens Borough President Donovan Richard’s Office.

Community members received free medical supplies, helpful tips for recently arrived immigrants, and important contact information for other services and city agencies. At the Libertas table, we made stress balls with those who stopped by to connect over an activity and as a way to remember our program! We enjoyed adding smiley faces and other designs to them as we explained our medical, mental health, social, and legal services.

By the end of the day, Libertas Social Worker, Cybele Martinez, and Libertas Program Assistant, Flint Christian, were masters at making stress balls to help alleviate tension.

We're excited about any opportunity to connect with potential clients and partner organizations as we return to in-person events in a safe and cautious manner. We look forward to future events where we represent our work and broaden our community connections.

Thank you to the Queens Borough President's Office and Donovan Richards for hosting the Resource Fair and for their outreach!