Esperanza Immigration Legal Services (EILS), located in North Philadelphia, held its sixth annual fundraising event on May 28 at Esperanza Art Center’s Gran Salon.

This year’s theme honored the strength and perseverance of immigrant families and underscored the crucial role legal services play in securing a safe and stable future for all immigrants.

6abc journalist Christie Ileto stated that “immigrants are the backbone not only of communities but also of the economy, especially in Philadelphia.”

Anu Thomas, Executive Director of EILS, presented the “Civic Impact Award” to attorney Judi Bernstein-Baker in recognition of her decades of public service and pro bono advocacy on behalf of immigrants. The honoree recalled that her family fled the persecution of Jewish communities in Poland and arrived in New York in 1921 in search of religious freedom and opportunity.

The distinguished attorney also recognized Rev. Luis Cortés, founder of Esperanza, “for this extraordinary institution of opportunity in the heart of Philadelphia’s Latino community.”

She highlighted the dedicated efforts of her Northwest Philadelphia community in supporting immigrants, adding, “We have control over what we can do. There are many ways to resist, and it is now more crucial than ever for organizations to work together to form an unbreakable force to achieve justice.”

Attorney Gonzalo Cornejo, Chair of the EILS Board of Directors, presented the “Champion Award” to his colleague Michael Malvey, managing partner of the law firm Galfand Berger LLP, honoring more than 10 years of leadership on the board and his consistent support of the organization’s mission.

The charismatic attorney Malvey quoted Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni: “You can’t be great without the greatness of others.”

He then led the fundraising effort through a mobile app, raising more than $15,000 in less than half an hour to help EILS continue providing essential services to immigrants.

This generous support will allow EILS to expand access to critical legal services including citizenship, green cards, employment authorization, and assistance for asylum seekers, among others.