KBI April Announcements

We are excited to share news of a wonderfully successful Annual KBI Dinner, which exceeded fundraising goals, a new legal fellow position to aid asylum seekers, Father Pete Neeley’s upcoming trip to the Bay Area with the Lourdes Kino Teens, and the March immersion experiences at the KBI.

• KBI Annual Dinner: The Seventh Annual KBI Dinner was a tremendous success, raising over $160,000 through ticket sales, an auction, and other donations. Held on Saturday, March 25, at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, the event drew an unprecedented 370 attendees whose support underwrites the KBI’s ongoing aid, advocacy, education, and research programs. Dinner highlights included the Pope Francis Award, given to Frank Barrios for his unwavering support of the KBI, and moving video about the migrant experience and the spiritual, material, and advocacy support the KBI offers. (Watch the video here: https://vimeo.com/206180020). Our heartfelt thanks to Dinner Committee co-chairs Darci Haydukovich and Debbie DiCarlo, the hard-working Committee members, and the generous guests and others donors who fill our hearts and extend our work. Look for a full report on the Dinner in next month’s newsletter.
• FIRRP–KBI Legal Fellow Position: In collaboration with the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project (FIRRP), the KBI is pleased to announce a new 18-month, full-time fellowship to provide legal representation to asylum seekers who arrive at the KBI comedor and shelter, and remain in detention in southern Arizona as they go through the asylum process. The position is a response to the great need for legal expertise and access among those requesting asylum in the U.S. For more information and to download a job description, go to: https://firrp.org/media/KBI-Legal-Fellow_Job-Posting_3-31-17.pdf. Please share with the great legal minds and networks in your circle, and many thanks for helping us get the word out!
• The KBI on the Road: This month, Father Pete Neeley, S.J. will lead a trip to the Bay Area with the Lourdes Catholic School Kino Teens. They will be visiting St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, and Presentation High School and Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. At St. Ignatius, their schedule includes a day of activities and an evening event. At Presentation, Leadership Days students Yamelle Gonzalez and Ana Gonzalez will give presentations on the migrant experience and immigrant advocacy to classes there, followed by meetings with immersion participants from Presentation and Bellarmine. Best wishes and safe travels to our KBI emissaries!
• Immersion Experiences: Spring break offers a wonderful opportunity for students to experience the border on a KBI immersion trip. Here are the groups who participated in immersions in March.