Lisa Maria Rhodes

Founder @Free Alas

New Orleans, LA, US

Create organization which creates educational access for immigrant and system involved youth. Train educators in effective court mitigation in order to have students too poor to pay bond released on recognizance in order to continue their education pre-trial instead of remain incarcerated. Create external relationships to serve as pro-bono legal representation for recent immigrants and their families. Cultivate capacity in local immigration service providers to meet need of students without legal representation. Facilitate city wide working group to advocate for policy changes and access. Train and support liaisons at 6 schools to assist students and families in navigating path to permanent residency by referring to appropriate services. Select and engage local professionals to serve as mentors for undocumented high school seniors and recent graduates.

Tulane University

Master of Social Work (MSW)

University of Miami

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)