The annual “Global Day of Giving” is upon us this holiday season and what better way to give back to your community then joining in on #GivingTuesday by donating to the organizations that make Santa Barbara a place we are proud to call home. Our Good for Santa Barbara Nonprofit Section provides all the resources you need to give the gift that keeps on giving!
It is no secret that this year has been full of challenges. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever, local nonprofits need your support. Our annual Noozhawk Guide to Giving lists local nonprofits in need of donations this holiday season.
In this interview, Noozhawk talked with Marline Flores, Executive Director of IMPORTA Santa Barbara, to learn more about how the nonprofit is dedicated to providing support for immigrant communities.
IMPORTA Santa Barbara
Question: What is the name & mission of your nonprofit?
Answer: Santa Barbara IMPORTA’s work is based on our belief that our immigrant communities have a right to affordable, honest, and high quality immigration legal services to further their full integration into American economic and civic life.
We are the largest supplier of legally authorized immigrant legal services in Santa Barbara County. IMPORTA does not charge for any of its immigration legal services. IMPORTA is non-sectarian and does not hire staff or serve clients based on creed, race, or sexual orientation.
Q: How long has your nonprofit been in service and whom was it started by?
A: IMPORTA was founded in 2011 by Russell Trenholme; who also has contributed his services without collecting a salary. The organization is now run by a staff of local bilingual first and second generation immigrants. IMPORTA was founded on the desire to provide important services to local low-income immigrants.
Q: How has COVID-19 impacted your nonprofit?
A: It has made educational outreach events for the immigrant community impossible. However, innovative use of electronic means of outreach and case handling have made it possible for IMPORTA to continue representing clients in numbers of DACA, naturalization, and other applications to the USCIS.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded and what are your greatest needs?
A: We are funded through individual donations and from grants, especially a large grant from the State of California that reimburses us for our DACA, naturalization, and other case work.
Q: In what ways does your nonprofit utilize it’s funding?
A: Mostly through payment of salaries to our paralegal workers and our accredited representatives.
Q: Describe the changes that have been made to staffing models and internal operations due to COVID-19. Are there changes that are expected to last beyond the short term?
A: There are no changes to the staffing model. The changes to internal operations involve social distancing, no-in office client visits, except to sign forms (Outside the office), and increased reliance on Zoom, Facebook Live, email, US mail, and telephonic communications.
Q: How do people get involved/volunteer for your nonprofit? What protocols have been implemented for volunteers due to COVID?
A: Volunteers and interns are placed by local colleges, by the general public, and by Goodwill. All volunteers following the same distancing, mask-wearing, etc. as staff.
Q: What is one best kept secret or fun fact about your nonprofit that not everyone knows?
A: That IMPORTA is the largest supplier of legal immigration services in Santa Barbara County and has a near-perfect record of success with its applications. IMPORTA is very well known in the immigrant community, and has an excellent reputation among immigrants.
Q: Why should donors trust your organization and what can your organization offer donors in exchange for a donation?
A: We are totally open to sharing our statistics of successful case filings, and all our numbers are audited and verified by the State of California under the terms of our State grants. What donors receive in return is the knowledge that the donations achieve measurable results that better the lives of thousands of immigrants each year. In short, proven results, not mere promises.
Q: Can you tell us one short-term goal and one long-term goal that your nonprofit has for 2021?
A: To develop effective educational outreach programs in both the North and South Counties using electronic media effectively pending the lifting of Coronavirus restrictions. Our principal long-term goal is to develop a local donaor base beyond the immigrant community which until now has been the primary source of individual donations.
Click here to support IMPORTA Santa Barbara mission to provide high quality legal advice to immigrant communities.