Meet The New Staff

New attorney, Lina Restrepo, holds the days mail - four work permits that have just arrived for JFON clients.

Central Florida Justice For Our Neighbors

JFON has a new immigration attorney serving clients from throughout Central Florida. Lina Restrepo is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Masters in Latin American Studies and Florida A&M Law School in Orlando.  She has interned at Legal Aid and worked with Catholic Charities before coming to JFON. Lina is originally from Columbia. She remembers struggling with her Mother and two older sisters to try and fill out immigration and citizenship documents. They couldn't afford the help of an attorney, so she understands the needs and concerns of those who come to JFON for help. She felt called to serve as an attorney in a pro bono setting because her heart tells her that even clients with little or no money still deserve high quality assistance as they seek to know and understand United States law and the immigration process.

Hannah Hanson is a young adult Mission Intern through the Board of Global Ministries who is serving as the Education and Advocacy Coordinator for JFON. As a Mission Intern, she served a year and a half in South Africa working with SHADE as a Poverty Alleviation Facilitator and Satellite Supervisor linking training on agriculture, poultry and fishponds to sites in Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Lesotho. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies with a concentration in Peace and Conflict Resolution. Hannah is from the Washington DC area. Her family was worried about her coming to Florida and facing natural disasters.  Who knew it was Virginia that would have earthquakes and hurricanes?

Hannah Hanson (front, center) celebrates JFON's anniversary with other volunteers in Orlando

JFON has monthly immigration legal clinics at Aloma UMC. Clients are welcomed, go through an intake process and then have a consultation with the attorney. If you would like to get involved we need:

• Office volunteers for 2-6 hours per week
• Donations of food/snacks for the clients and volunteers at the clinics
• Volunteers at the clinic to work with intake, translation or hospitality
• Bibles in Spanish and Kreyol

Participate in the DREAM Sabbath

September 16 through October 9

Uplift young people in our communities who have grown up in the United States and want a chance to go to college or join the military after high school.  Say a prayer for DREAM students or share one of their stories with your congregation.  For more information on the DREAM Act, Immigration, and the DREAM Sabbath, contact Hannah Hanson with Justice for Our Neighbors, hannah@jfonfl.org and look for DREAM Sabbath resources at interfaithimmigration.org.

Ministry of Fostering God's Children

• IMMIGRATION (Know Your Rights Training)
• FORECLOSURE (principal reduction & relief)
• CIVIL RIGHTS RESTORATION (voting rights for ex-felons)
• EDUCATION (building parent & youth power for excellent public schools)
• HEALTH CARE ACCESS (saving Medicaid & Medicare and fighting for affordable care)
• VOTER EDUCATION (Florida's new voter suppression law & how faith communities can make a difference in 2012)

Bush Auditorium, Rollins College

1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32752

Pushing the Elephant (see details below) film is 90 minutes, followed by a panel of representatives from various faith communities

Cost: $8 per person, tickets can be purchased at the door, or on-line at www.peacefilmfest.org.

About the Film--Pushing the Elephant... In the late 1990s, Rose Mapendo lost her family and home to the violence that engulfed the Democratic Republic of Congo. She emerged advocating forgiveness and reconciliation. In a country where ethnic violence has created seemingly irreparable rifts among Tutsis, Hutus and other Congolese, this remarkable woman is a vital voice in her beleaguered nation's search for peace. Now, Rose is confronted with teaching one of her most recalcitrant students how to forgive-Nangabire, the daughter who remained behind. pushing_the_elephant

Bush Auditorium, Rollins College, 

1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32752

The Global Peace Film Festival was established to utilize the power of the motion picture to further the goal of peace on earth. With a mission to expand the definition of peace beyond anti-war, ideology, activism or specific causes, the Global Peace Film Festival films and events suggest a more personal message as reflected in the daily lives of individuals and communities the world over.