CHICAGO – August 30, 2024 – The Resurrection Project has announced the 2025 class of Colibrí Fellows. The third and largest class includes 26 dedicated immigrant justice fellows from Illinois and Wisconsin. These individuals will join the Colibrí Fellowship for DOJ Accreditation to expand access to justice for immigrants.

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. The fellowship aims to open the legal profession to immigrant communities, increase the number of legal professionals in Illinois and Wisconsin, and also to raise the number of bilingual and bicultural legal professionals.

TRP and partners, Villanova University and DePaul University support changemakers working to shape the conversation on today’s critical immigration issues. The goal of the fellowship is to uplift immigrant leadership through relationship building, professional growth, and strengthening the capacity of community-based legal aid organizations. Out of nearly 42 applications this year, 26 talented and passionate individuals were selected for the Class of 2025. The full roster of the 2025 Colibrí Fellows can be found here.

“The impact our fellows have had on immigrant families and communities is truly inspiring,” said Erendira Rendon, vice president of Immigrant Justice at The Resurrection Project. “This fellowship represents a crucial opportunity to open the legal profession to immigrants and their children. The Colibrí Fellows are immigrants or children of immigrants seeking partial or full DOJ Accreditation, and we are excited to see the great things they will achieve through this one-of-a-kind program.”

2025 Class of Colibrí Fellows

Alejandra Campos, ARISE Chicago – Partial Accreditation Track

Ashley Cerritos, Chicago Worker’s Collaborative – Partial Accreditation Track

Benoit Houessou, AKWAABA QC – Partial Accreditation Track

Bianca Anabell Renteria – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago – Full Accreditation Track

Cecelia Ramirez, International Institute of Wisconsin – Full Accreditation Track

Daniel Cabrera Godoy, Spanish Community Center – Partial Accreditation Track

Darwin Tapia, Casa Michoacán  – Partial Accreditation Track

Derrese S. Bezzawork, Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago – Partial Accreditation Track

Duha Suhibi, Arab American Family Services – Partial Accreditation Track

Elaine Han, Hanul Family Alliance – Partial Accreditation Track

Erika Chavez, The Resurrection Project – Full Accreditation Track

Hernan Prieto, Irish Community Services – Full Accreditation Track

Itzel Odalys Mendoza Miranda, The Immigration Project – Partial Accreditation Track

Jackelinne Leon, Institute for Latino Progress – Partial Accreditation Track

Karime Sanchez, Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors – Partial Accreditation Track

Khalifa Ababacar Diop, United African Organization – Partial Accreditation Track

Lina Mohamad, Trellus – Partial Accreditation Track

Lisseth Cervantes, ARISE Chicago – Partial Accreditation Track

Liz Chavez, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic – Partial Accreditation Track

Luisa Rodriguez, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos – Partial Accreditation Track

Maria Cristina Ocampo, Casa Michoacán – Partial Accreditation Track

Maria Fernanda Cuenca, Centro de Información Elgin – Partial Accreditation Track

Merci Ndahindwa, AKWAABA QC – Partial Accreditation Track

Raquel Perez, Chicago Worker’s Collaborative – Partial Accreditation Track

Sara Ramirez, Partners for Our Communities – Partial Accreditation Track

Shahzel Najim, Agents of Hope Training & Information Center – Partial Accreditation Track

The Class of 2025 Colibrí Fellows join the vibrant community of 40 former fellows. The Resurrection Project is dedicated to immigrant rights, ensuring access to justice, protecting the rights of our most vulnerable community members, and advocating for immigration policies through our Immigrant Justice program.

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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 by 2025.