Joining in Justice 2025 Highlights
On Thursday, April 4, we gathered at The Helen Mills for our annual fundraiser, Joining in Justice, benefiting The Door’s Legal Services Center.
We’re so grateful to all our pro bono partners and supporters who attended this special evening whose pro bono help with key cases enables The Door to ensure free legal services for NYC young people.
Become inspired by watching the video we shared at the event. Our work doesn’t stop here. Every day, more young people walk through our doors in need of urgent legal support.
The Door client Djiby delivering his speech.
Our Youth Client Speaker
The evening was also a special opportunity to hear the story of Djiby, a youth client whose life has been forever changed for the better, thanks to the services he received from our Legal Services Center.
Youth Client Djiby
Djiby shared his story of growing up in Senegal, becoming an undocumented immigrant in the U.S., and filing a case for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Djiby's story is one of perseverance. He left Senegal on his own to escape domestic abuse and, once in the U.S., had to cope with the fear of deportation. With The Door's help, he could apply for SIJS. His SIJS application was approved, and he received his ID, work permit, and social security. He now has the security of knowing that his SIJS application is complete. Most importantly, Djiby now has shelter and is in school with the hope of pursuing his goals. He shares how The Door has supported his journey:
I thought that all my problems would end after getting here [New York City]. But when I got here it was tough. It was so freezing, and I did not know where to go in the cold. I was feeling lost in the big city until I got to the shelter where I was advised to go to an organization called The Door. Once I got here, I was warmly welcomed and supported. I was given food and clothes that protected me from the cold. And I was asked to come any time that I needed help. I was provided with legal services.
Joining in Justice 2025 – guests enjoying the program
Joining in Justice 2025 Host Committee: Pictured, left to right, Candice Braun, Becky Heller, Abra Metz-Dworkin, Cheryl A. James, Susan M. Cordaro, Sandra Cohen, Hyatt Mustefa, Scott Singer, and Diane McEnroe.
Not pictured: Cathy & Frank Aquila, Joe Blum, Mary E.R. Burner, Benjamin Felt & Carla Milan, Gabrielle Fromer, Barbara Hill & David Zurndorfer, Erin Law, Bethany Menzies, and Amelia T.R. Starr
Meena Shah, Co-Managing Director of the Legal Services Center, The Door, delivering her speech
Some of the staff at The Door's Legal Services Center
Kelsey Louie, The Door, and Broome Street Academy CEO, delivering his speech
Joining in Justice 2025
Djiby'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.
The Door’s Legal Services Center (LSC) is dedicated to supporting youth like Djiby. The recent defunding of legal support work has put immigrant youth in jeopardy and severely impacted The Door's ability to provide critical legal services. In times of turmoil, we look to our friends and supporters to ensure these services are here for all the young people we serve.
Our hope is that with additional support and resources, The Door continue to provide legal support to take on even more in the future so other inspiring, resilient young people like Djiby can build a better future in the U.S.