Joining in Justice 2023 Highlights
Our Joining in Justice Honorees
On Thursday, March 30, we gathered together in person for the first time in four years at the Rare Book Room at The Strand for our annual fundraiser benefiting The Door’s Legal Services Center, Joining in Justice.
We’re so grateful to all our pro bono partners and supporters who attended this special evening to celebrate honoree Simpson Thacher, one of our longtime partners whose pro bono help enables The Door to ensure free legal services for NYC young people.
We were also pleased to honor our own senior attorney Michael Williams, who is celebrating 25 years of service at The Door.
Legal Services Center Senior Attorney and Joining in Justice 2023 honoree Michael Williams
The Door client Iram Barry (right), with her attorney Hannah Weichbrodt from our Legal Services Center
Our Youth Client Speaker
The evening was also a special opportunity to spend hear the story of Iram Barry, a youth client whose life was forever changed for the better, thanks to the services she received from our Legal Services Center.
Youth Client Iram Barry
Iram shared her story of going from being a teenager in West Africa, to an undocumented immigrant in the U.S., to filing a case for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. She finally received her green card just this past February. Iram’s presence was particularly moving, as she had applied to join the U.S. Army as soon as she was eligible, right after getting her green card; she was called to basic training in South Carolina more quickly than expected and had to request special permission to attend the Joining in Justice event. She made that unusual request because, as she put it:
I want to inspire lawyers to help young people in need. I want to inspire people with power and influence to support places like The Door. I want young people to see that they can get the help they need to start a safe, fulfilling life. I want them to know they can have a say in their own lives no matter what country they were born in.
Door youth client Iram Barry, sharing the story of getting her green card in February 2023 as a result of the help she received through our Legal Services Center.
From left: The Door CEO Kelsey Louie, Board member Maya Browne, and actor Heather Graham
Some of the staff at The Door's Legal Services Center
Iram’s case had a positive outcome, but tens of thousands of young people with similar stories are in limbo, caught in the backlog of the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status application process. Our hope is that with additional support and resources, The Door can expand its legal capacities to take on even more in the future, so other inspiring, resilient young people like Iram can build a better future in the U.S.
If you would like to lend your support, you can still donate at www.joininginjustice.org.