Ayuda

🍸 Sip With Purpose is back this June!

Throughout the DC Metro area, local restaurants, bars and neighborhood gathering spots are raising a glass in celebratation Immigrant Heritage Month and Pride Month—all while supporting immigrant families our community.

Everytime you order a featured cocktail or drink at participating locations, a portion of proceeds helps sustain life-changing legal, social, and language access services for immigrant families and children across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.💜

📍 Happening: June 1–30, 2026
🌐 Learn More: https://zurl.co/DrVHq
📸 Take a picture when you sip with purpose and tag us on Instagram

Thank you to our partners for standing in solidarity with us:

Kbird DC | Logan Circle
Ivy Coney | Shaw
Sonny’s Pizza | Park View
Doubles DC | Park View
Allegory DC | Mt. Vernon
Tiffany’s Bar & Bistro | H Street
Trouble Bird | Navy Yard
Midlands Beer Garden | Park View
NUE: Elegantly Vietnamese | Falls Church

For immigrant survivors facing violence, trauma, and uncertainty, access to culturally responsive support can be life-changing.

As immigration enforcement intensified in 2025, many survivors became afraid to seek help, report abuse, or access essential services. The need was urgent: 99% of Ayuda social services clients prioritized developing an emergency safety plan in 2025, up from 24% the year before.

Survivors like Ana* found safety, stability, and hope through Ayuda’s support. Today, she’s moving into her own apartment and preparing for workforce development training through Ayuda’s hospitality program.

Ana’s story is a reminder that no survivor should have to navigate trauma alone. 💙

Read Ana’s story: https://ayuda.com/finding-hope-the-indescribable-power-of-social-services/

*Name changed to protect client privacy.

2026 was an evening filled with celebration, community, and solidarity for Ayuda’s mission of providing legal, social, language, and advocacy services that help low-income immigrants access justice and transform their lives.

We loved celebrating with the champions, community members, partners, and supporters who joined us . We are deeply grateful for the dedication that makes our work possible every single day💜

One of the most powerful moments was hearing from Kate, an Ayuda client — now a model and actress — who shared her inspiring journey to residency.

“From the moment I became part of the Ayuda family, I felt that everything truly changed.”

Kate’s story reminds us why we gather, give, and stand together. Thank you to everyone who joined us and invested in Ayuda’s vital services for immigrant communities across the DMV.

View photos and videos from the celebration at the link in our bio.

A special thank you to the individuals and partners who helped make the evening possible:

🌟 Host –
🌟 Honorees & Speakers –
🌟 Strategy –
🌟 Production –
🌟 Catering –
🌟 Photography –
🌟 Entertainment –
🌟 Video –
🌟 Merch Artwork –

At last week’s hearing, House Republicans grilled Fairfax County leaders in an attempt to cast doubt on our Trust Policy. Our community clapped back in a big way: More than a hundred Fairfax residents and allies came out in support of the policy, filling the hearing room past capacity.

The Trust policy restricts collaboration between ICE and our local government, so that our immigrant neighbors can call the police and report crime without fear of devastating consequences.

To our amazing community members who joined us: THANK YOU! Together, we showed that Fairfax County chooses trust over misinformation. Just like Boston, Chicago, LA, and beyond, we know that limiting collaboration between ICE and local governments is a proven way to improve public safety for all.

Thanks to Catalina Pérez de Armiñán and Telemundo 44 Washington, D.C. for covering this important day:

Fiscal de Fairfax rechaza críticas y sostiene que la policía no coopera con ICE El fiscal de Fairfax fue interrogado por las autoridades judiciales con respecto a sus políticas en cuanto a las personas acusadas de cometer un crimen que no tengan un estatus permanente en el país.

🚨 ACT NOW: DC’s proposed FY27 budget would devastate critical services for immigrant survivors of violence.

Cuts to victim services, legal aid, healthcare access, and protections for immigrant communities would put thousands of families at greater risk — at a time when they need support the most.

Immigrant survivors deserve safety, stability, and access to justice. We cannot afford to stay silent.

📢 Contact your DC Councilmember TODAY and demand they reject these harmful cuts: https://tinyurl.com/FY27DCbudget

At Ayuda, we know that mental health wellness is deeply connected to safety, stability, and dignity. Every day, we support immigrant survivors and communities navigating trauma, uncertainty, and healing — and we recognize the importance of creating spaces where people feel supported and heard.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we encourage our community to prioritize care, check in with loved ones, and seek support when needed. Your mental health matters. 💚🧠

Standing With Immigrants is just a few hours away - happening today, May 14 - and we're so excited to share this year's program with you and present our host, Eugene Daniels.

We will have speakers from Ayuda, including our Executive Director, Paula Fitzgerald; Irfana Anwer, our Pro Bono Managing Attorney; and Antonio Tijerino, our board member, who will help us honor our awardees. 💜

We’re proud to recognize:
✨ Pro Bono Service Awardee – Erin Drenning (Hogan Lovells)
✨ Champion of Justice Awardee – Attorney General Brian Schwalb
✨ Advocate of Change Awardees – Ralph Brabham & Drew Porterfield
✨ Community Partner Awardee – Capital Area Food Bank
✨ Pro Bono Impact Awardee – White & Case LLP
✨Courage in Action Awardee – Congressman Joaquin Castro

🎶 We will also enjoy music by Lucy Black Entertainment, LLC!💃

We can’t wait to see our supporters and advocates this evening for at The Institute of Architects (AIA), Washington, DC! 💞

📆 Intake for May's clinic will in 2 days

📞 Call 202-787-5311 THIS FRIDAY, May 15, between 10 AM- 2 PM to schedule a consult for May 22.

Appointments are limited.

More info ➡️ https://bit.ly/ALEGAL
Información en Español ➡️ https://bit.ly/ALEGAL

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🤝 Clinic Partner: Fried Frank

Big announcement!

We are honored to welcome Congressman Joaquin Castro as a keynote speaker for Ayuda’s Standing With Immigrants this Thursday in Washington, DC.

At a critical moment for immigrant communities across the country, Congressman Castro continues to be a leading voice for dignity, justice, and humane immigration policy. We are proud to gather in solidarity and celebrate the resilience, leadership, and contributions of immigrant communities across the DMV region.

We look forward to an inspiring evening of community, courage, and action. 💙