The mission of La Puerta Abierta is to ensure access to culturally and trauma-informed, holistic mental health support in the Latinx immigrant and refugee community through education, collaboration and service. An important aspect of LPA's work is providing pro bono individual and family counseling, community-based groups and peer mentorship training with community members who cannot access support elsewhere due to language, economic, legal and social barriers. La Puerta Abierta works with those who are impacted by immigration, lack of documentation, displacement of various family members, and the subsequent trauma and chaos that is perpetuated by these experiences. This includes a robust youth program that provides an array of supports and services with immigrant youth, particularly unaccompanied minors and newcomers to the U.S. community. La Puerta Abierta collaborates closely with local and national providers, such as schools, clinics and other community programs, with the goal of shifting attitudes and service delivery practices to become more responsive to the complex experiences and needs of our immigrant community members.

Since La Puerta Abierta’s work sits at the intersection of advocacy, empowerment and direct service, it prides itself on being an organizational member of PICC! LPA operates from a community-informed, empowerment model of support that respectfully challenges traditional models of “mental health” care and thrives on healthy partnerships and collaborations across many communities. It is for this reason, and so many more, that LPA benefits from the advocacy and collaboration that is at the core of PICC!

To learn more about La Puerta Abierta, feel free to visit our website or visit us on Facebook.

There is still no resolution in sight as the government shutdown continues to leave government workers without income and vulnerable communities without necessary services. Instead of making a concerted effort to reopen the government, Trump has offered a “deal” that offers to temporarily re-instate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), programs that he needlessly and cruelly ended, in exchange for an uneeded and unwanted border wall, increased militarization of the border, and increased criminalization of immigrant communities. The proposal also includes stringent new limits on asylum programs that woudl make it even more difficult for children fleeing violence to find safety and refuge in the US.

This is not a deal. Government employees and their families should not be held hostage by the President in an effort to advance a racist and anti-immigrant agenda. It is time for this government shut down to end, for employees to be paid for their work, and for domestic violence and other social service programs to recieve much-needed funds. Senate and House leadership have both indicated they will be bringing proposals up for a vote this week to end the shut down. It is important that we continue to contact our elected representatives and tell them they need to do everything in their power to end this shut down immediately without giving in to Trump's racist and anti-immigrant demands.

In the midst of this battle, the Supreme Court decided not to hear the case on DACA, leaving the program in place for now. This means that all current DACA recipents can continue to renew their work authorization.

Every child in Pennsylvania has a right to an excellent public education. Every child, regardless of zip code, deserves access to a full curriculum, art and music classes, technhttp://vietlead.orgical opportunities and a safe, clean, stable environment. As a member of PA Schools Work, PICC is a part of the fight to ensure that Pennsylvania schools are adequately and equitably funded.

Research shows that education funding has a positive impact on student achievement and returns dividends for our economy. Most Pennsylvania’s public schools are inadequately funded and Pennsylvania has the widest funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts of any state in the country, with the wealthiest school districts spending 33% more on each student than the poorest districts. Nearly half of school districts are spending below the amount needed to educate students.That under spending is a direct result of inadequate state support. That means lost opportunities for students to participate in valuable science, technology, and math programs; have access to up-to-date books and technology; or access to ESL or other programs that help immigrant and refugee students succeed.

The PA Schools Work Campaign is hosting a press conference in Harrisburg at the State Capitol at 10am on Weds. Jan. 30th. Please join in calling on Governor Wolf and PA legislators to fully and equitably fund Pennsylvania schools in the upcoming budget. Visit PA Schools Work Campaign website for more information.

Please Donate to PICC!

PICC depends upon your support. Please donate to PICC today to support our advocacy and organizing work to mobilize the immigrant vote, build immigrant leaders, campaign for pro-immigrant policies at the local, state and federal levels, and support the effective implementation of pro-immigrant public policies.