A growing effort to expand access to immigration legal services in the Mahoning Valley is taking shape, as community leaders, legal professionals, and advocates rally behind a new initiative designed to meet a critical local need.

Thrive Mahoning Valley is spearheading the creation of a new Immigration Law Clinic, an effort aimed at addressing what organizers describe as a longstanding and significant gap in access to trusted legal services in the region. To help bring the project to life, the organization will host “A Legal Way Forward,” an inaugural fundraising dinner scheduled for April 29 at B&O Banquet Hall in downtown Youngstown.

For Christopher Colon, Executive Director of Thrive Mahoning Valley, the need for such a clinic has become increasingly evident through years of working with individuals and families navigating complex systems.

“Access to trusted immigration legal services remains a critical and unmet need for many individuals and families in the Mahoning Valley,” Colon said. “This clinic is an important step toward ensuring that people have reliable legal guidance as they navigate the immigration process.”

Thrive Mahoning Valley, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, focuses on strengthening economic opportunity and community stability. Through its work, the organization has identified immigration legal services as a key area where support is lacking — particularly for families who may already be facing financial, language, or systemic barriers.

Leaders at Thrive emphasize that the Immigration Law Clinic is not simply a standalone program, but rather the foundation of a broader, long-term effort to expand access to justice in the region. For many residents, especially those in vulnerable or underserved communities, access to qualified legal representation can be the difference between stability and uncertainty.

To launch the clinic, Thrive aims to raise $60,000 through the upcoming fundraiser. The event is designed to do more than generate financial support. It will also bring together attorneys, civic leaders, and community stakeholders to establish credibility, build partnerships, and create a strong foundation for the clinic from the outset.

“This is about building something sustainable,” Colon said. “We want to ensure that this clinic is positioned to serve the community not just in its first year, but for years to come.”

According to Vicki Vicars, Vice President of Operations at Thrive, the concept for the clinic has been years in the making. Approximately three years ago, Thrive began convening organizations across the Mahoning Valley that work with immigrant populations in various capacities. Through those conversations — and a formal SWOT analysis — one need consistently rose to the surface: access to immigration attorneys.

“At the time, we had an immigration attorney with Community Legal Aid,” Vicars said. “But she retired last summer, and that position was not replaced. The closest immigration attorney through that network is now in Akron.”

That development left a significant void in the Mahoning Valley, where residents in need of legal assistance were often forced to travel long distances or navigate an already complex system without local guidance. Immigration law, Vicars noted, is highly specialized, and many general practice attorneys are reluctant to take on such cases.

“There are nuances that are changing almost daily,” she said. “It’s not an area of law you can casually step into. Even retired attorneys we spoke with — who were eager to help — felt that without additional training, the most effective thing they could do was support the hiring of a dedicated immigration attorney.”

The urgency of the need has only increased in recent months. Vicars pointed to a shifting political and enforcement landscape that has prompted more individuals to seek legal assistance, particularly those who may have delayed pursuing citizenship or adjusting their status.

“There has always been a need,” she said. “But right now, we’re seeing people make it a priority because of enforcement concerns.”

The presence of two detention centers in Mahoning County has also intensified demand for legal support. Thrive has received calls from families seeking guidance and referrals when loved ones are detained — situations that can be both legally complex and emotionally overwhelming.

“Not all detentions are legal,” Vicars said. “We’ve seen cases where attorneys we’ve worked with — often from out of town — have been able to secure releases. But having a local resource will make a tremendous difference for families in those situations.”

The planned clinic, which will be located at the Thrive offices on Wilson Avenue, is expected to offer a comprehensive range of services. These include citizenship assistance, green card applications and renewals, family-based petitions, asylum cases, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and U and T visas for victims of crime or trafficking.

Services will be offered on a sliding fee scale, with many available at low or no cost depending on a client’s income. Thrive anticipates that, in its first year, the clinic could manage anywhere from 30 to 100 active cases at a time, depending on the complexity and duration of each case.

“A removal case, for example, can take much longer than a citizenship case,” Vicars explained. “So the number of individuals we serve will depend on the types of cases we’re handling.”

While legal services are at the core of the clinic’s mission, Vicars emphasized that the challenges faced by immigrants extend far beyond paperwork. Language barriers, cultural differences, transportation issues, and limited access to healthcare can all create obstacles for individuals trying to establish stability in a new country.

“There is often a communication barrier when someone first arrives,” she said. “Even as they learn English, there are nuances in language and culture that take time to understand.”

Other challenges include social isolation, fear related to enforcement practices, and, in some cases, unaddressed trauma stemming from the circumstances that led individuals to leave their home countries.

“Until someone feels settled and welcomed, it can be very difficult for them to fully participate in the community,” Vicars said.

She also pointed to the risk of fraud as a serious concern. In some countries, the term “notario” refers to a licensed attorney. In the United States, however, a notary public is not authorized to provide legal advice. This distinction has led to instances where immigrants are misled or exploited by individuals posing as legal professionals.

“We have seen people taken advantage of by unethical practitioners,” Vicars said. “Providing a trusted, local resource helps protect individuals from that kind of harm.”

The clinic’s approach will prioritize not only legal expertise but also a welcoming and supportive environment. When individuals or families come in for the first time, staff will guide them through an intake process designed to understand their unique circumstances and goals.

“We want people to feel comfortable from the moment they walk through the door,” Vicars said. “We’ll ask questions about their situation — how they entered the U.S., how long they’ve been here, their family and work history — and then help them understand their options.”

Ultimately, she said, success will be defined by helping individuals achieve stability and security.

“For many, that means having the legal ability to live and work in the United States without the threat of detention,” Vicars said.

While the vision for the clinic is clear, funding remains the most significant challenge. Thrive leaders acknowledge that sustaining the program will require ongoing community investment, not just in its launch year but well into the future.

Still, early support has been encouraging. Several organizations and individuals have already stepped forward as sponsors, including the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, The Schwebel Family Foundation, the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, and Dr. Alexis Smith.

The upcoming fundraiser is expected to play a crucial role in closing the initial funding gap. Sponsorship opportunities range from $250 to $5,000, and organizers say the event will also include opportunities for community members to contribute through raffle donations and other forms of support. More information on becoming a sponsor or attending the fundraising dinner can be had by contacting Thrive at 330-599-6680.

Beyond financial contributions, Thrive leaders stress the importance of community understanding and engagement.

“With this initiative — and really any work supporting immigrants — we ask the public to seek the truth and not respond to stereotypes or prejudices,” Vicars said. “There is a lot of misinformation out there.”

Colon echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the broader impact of the clinic on the region as a whole.

“This is a pivotal moment for our community,” he said. “Immigrants have always been a vital part of the Mahoning Valley. By ensuring they have access to the legal support they need, we’re strengthening not just individual families, but the entire community.”

As the April 29 fundraiser approaches, organizers are hopeful that the community will rally behind the effort and help lay the groundwork for a resource they believe is both urgently needed and long overdue.

Tickets and donations for “A Legal Way Forward” are available through Thrive Mahoning Valley, with additional information accessible on the organization’s website or by contacting its office directly.