Dear Friends of Casa Cornelia, I send my best to you and your families, and I pray that you are safe and healthy. I have been honored to serve as Board Member of Casa Cornelia Law Center for the past 12 years, eight of which I have served as Board Chair. As my term comes to a close this December, [...]
Marcel* was born directly into the conflict between the English and French-Speaking regions of Cameroon. With an absent father, Marcel grew up with title of his mother’s Anglophone culture - he attended school in English and adopted Christian practices. But disputes with his father’s family over his up-bringing resulted in Marcel moving to a Francophone region with his uncle to [...]
Rosa Vargas has worked as our Pro Bono Program Assistant at Casa Cornelia for over two years. Now, she has chosen to pursue the next step of her legal career at Harvard School of Law. As she nears her last day here at the Law Center, she reflects on the people she was able to work with and the skills [...]
In a small town somewhere in Cuba, a young girl named Adriana* had a dream of becoming a doctor. After persevering, she graduated from medical school and began working at a clinic. One day while working, she was approached by Communist Party members pressuring her to join their party or attend political meetings. Adriana continuously refused, not bothering to hide [...]
Casa Cornelia Law Center joins our local, national, and international communities in condemning racism and crimes against humanity. We are deeply saddened by the unjust deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others who needlessly lost their lives. Our country is based on the principle that all persons have the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of [...]
Dear Friend, In these difficult times, I hope you and your family are staying safe. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, Casa Cornelia’s dedicated lawyers, legal assistants, volunteer attorneys, interpreters and translators continue to meet the needs of vulnerable children, families, and asylum seekers in need of pro bono legal counsel. With the fear and stress they face, these at-risk populations [...]
When Liliana* was seventeen she met Ricardo* – a neighbor that would later become her husband and change her life. Having grown up in Mexico in a lonely household with an abusive mother, Liliana found what she needed in Ricardo’s company – love, respect and a way to avoid being home. It seemed like life with him could be everything [...]
Over a decade ago, Gabriela* and her two children moved from Mexico to San Diego. After settling in their new home, she started dating a man she had met at work named Nick*. The relationship, however, quickly became one of manipulation and abuse. He was increasingly jealous and his quick temper created a hostile environment for Gabriela. “If he asked [...]
