Dear Friend,
I am excited to share Tahirih Justice Center’s 2014 Impact Report with you.
This annual publication illustrates the heroism of our clients, highlights our effective and efficient model of service, and celebrates our nationwide accomplishments in communities, courts, and Congress.
As you read about Tahirih’s accomplishments in 2014, remember, they are your accomplishments, too.
You are a vital part of everything we do.
Our lifesaving work across the nation and in our offices in Baltimore, Greater DC, and Houston would not be possible without you.
We are proud to report that, with your help, we grew by 27% across our offices and now have a staff of over 50 who serve courageous immigrant women and girls in three, high-need locations.
In 2014, we:
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✓Answered 1,780 pleas for help from individuals who needed our expert legal advice and service referrals to reject violence in their homes and communities.
✓Provided free legal representation and advice to 909 immigrant women and girls.
✓Connected 608 women and their children to social services that were vital to rebuilding their lives after trauma.
✓Conducted 121 outreach, training, and education events to elevate the voices of clients.
✓Trained 7,079 professionals to better address the needs of immigrant women and girls.
✓Expanded our pro bono legal network to 1,867 attorneys.
✓Raised awareness of violence against women through reports in 45 prominent media outlets, including Al Jazeera America, The Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
“Tahirih made me feel like my life has a purpose. I really can’t put it into words. They have been family to me. They opened their arms to me and helped me. They pushed me on toward my future.”
– 2014 Houston Courageous Voice Honoree Itza, a survivor of rape and child abuse from Nicaragua
Other noteworthy 2014 accomplishments include the launch of the Children’s Border Project at our Tahirih Houston office. Through the project, the office is able to respond to the acute needs of unaccompanied refugee children fleeing sexual assault, human trafficking, and family violence in Central America.
Our groundbreaking Forced Marriage Initiative also reached new milestones in 2014. We responded to more than 70 emergency requests to help individuals escaping forced marriages in the U.S. and overseas—which represents a 75% increase in volume since 2013. Through the initiative, we also trained more than 1,300 frontline professionals and launched a national, six-city tour to raise awareness of forced marriage in the United States.
Thank you for being part of our work to create a world where women and girls enjoy equality and live in safety and with dignity.
You can access the report right here online. If you would like a printed copy of our 2014 Impact Report, please contact us at [email protected] or 571-282-6161.
Sincerely,
Layli Miller-Muro
Founder and Executive Director
Featured portraits of Tahirih clients are courtesy of By Asa Photography
