CHICAGO – SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 – The Resurrection Project (TRP) is proud to introduce the 2026 class of Colibrí Fellows, its fourth year of this groundbreaking program. This year’s cohort includes 26 fellows representing 24 organizations across Illinois and Indiana and speaking a combined 16 languages.

The Colibrí Fellowship is the first professional fellowship for individuals seeking partial or full Department of Justice (DOJ) Accreditation to legally represent immigrants as non-attorneys. TRP and partners, Villanova University and DePaul University support changemakers working to shape the conversation on today’s critical immigration issues. The goal remains to open the legal profession to immigrant communities, increase the number of legal and legal-adjacent professional in under-served areas, and lift up bilingual and bicultural advocates in our communities.  

Colibrí continues to grow by expanding our support to launch fellowships in Massachusetts and Wisconsin and entering the second year of the program in Oregon.  

“During a time when our immigrant communities are under attack, the need for legal services is more pressing than ever. The Colibrí Fellowship not only creates a pipeline of legal representatives through DOJ accreditation but also provides a pathway for immigrants and children of immigrants to engage in meaningful immigrant justice legal careers,” said Jane Lombardi, vice president of Programs at The Resurrection Project.

2026 Class of Colibrí Fellows  

Abel Ibarra – Latino Resource Institute of Illinois – Partial Accreditation Track 

Ala Qamhiyh – MENA Community Center – Partial Accreditation Track 

Alberto Ornelas – Northside Community Resources- Partial Accreditation Track 

Ally Ntumba – Patchwork Indy – Partial Accreditation Track  

Andrea Bibian – Warehouse Workers for Justice – Partial Accreditation Track 

Angela Estrada – SGA Youth & Family Services – Partial Accreditation Track 

Baha Amra – Arab American Family Services – Partial Accreditation Track 

Brianda Avila – NIJC – Partial Accreditation Track  

Cinthya Aguirre – Scalabrini Immigrant & Refugee Services – Partial Accreditation Track 

Daniela Olivares – Erie Neighborhood House – Full Accreditation Track 

Dayana Velazquez – Illinois Venezuelan Alliance – Partial Accreditation Track 

Edith Correa – Frida Kahlo Community Organization – Partial Accreditation Track 

Esmeralda Aguilar – North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic – Partial Accreditation Track 

Flor Diaz Velez – PASO – West Suburban Action Project – Partial Accreditation Track 

Jamshid Daudzai – JCFS (HIAS) – Partial Accreditation Track 

Karina Marin – HANA Center – Partial Accreditation Track 

Kevin Amaro – Illinois Workers in Action – Partial Accreditation Track 

Mai Abumanei – Arab American Family Services – Partial Accreditation Track 

Marie France Ambroise – Haitian Congress – Partial Accreditation Track 

Marlen Mendez – Chicago Workers Collaborative – Partial Accreditation Track 

Marienyeli Salima – La Casa Norte – Full Accreditation Track  

Ruby Martinez – The Immigration Project – Full Accreditation Track 

Sandra Garcia – Illinois Workers in Action – Partial Accreditation Track 

Yessica Martinez – Enlace Chicago – Full Accreditation Track 

Yulisa Arcos – Spanish Community Center – Partial Accreditation Track 

The Class of 2026 Colibrí Fellows join the vibrant community of 78 former fellows. TRP is committed to advancing immigrant rights by expanding access to justice, safeguarding the most vulnerable in our communities, and advocating for fair and humane immigration policies through our Immigrant Justice program.  

To learn more about the Colibrí Fellowship program visit TRP’s Immigrant Justice website. Click here to follow the fellow’s journey.  

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About The Resurrection Project

The Resurrection Project (TRP) builds trusting relationships to educate and propel individuals, immigrants, and families to achieve their social and economic aspirations, stable homes, and equitable participation in their community. TRP is a leading provider of affordable housing, financial education, and immigration services on Chicago’s Southwest side.

During the past three decades TRP has worked to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating wealth, building assets, and engaging residents to be catalysts for change. Rooted in the Pilsen community, TRP’s impact now extends across the City of Chicago and through the State of Illinois; we are making steady progress towards leveraging and preserving more than $1 billion in community wealth in 2025.