The Arizona Region of the American Jewish Committee has named Florence Project Executive Director Lindsay Marshall as one of the recipients of the 2012 Judge Learned Hand awards.  Lindsay will be recognized with the Emerging Leadership Award, which pays tribute to an attorney who has practiced for ten years or less who has demonstrated a commitment to the values of public or community service.  Lindsay will be honored alongside Perkins Coie LLP partner Howard R. Cabot and Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall at the AJC’s annual Learned Hand Award Luncheon on March 14th at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.  See the press release here for more information.

Congratulations, Lindsay!

The Applied Research Center has released an excellent report called Shattered Families: The Perilous Intersection of Immigration Enforcement and the Child Welfare System, which highlights the devastating consequences when families are torn apart by immigration enforcement and detention and minor U.S. citizen children end up in the care of overburdened state child welfare systems.  The Florence Project has been involved in educating detained parents, child welfare practitioners, and peer organizations about this problem for the last several years and is thrilled to see this excellent and thorough report bring national attention to this important issue.  You can read the executive summary and full report on ARC’s website here.  We also encourage peer legal service organizations and others supporting parents in detention to download our self help guide “How to Protect Your Parental Rights From Detention” available on our resources page for Pro Se Litigants here.

The Florence Project is hosting a benefit concert on November 19th at the famed Rhythm Room in Phoenix!

Join us for a night of rock n’ roll, blues, and motown brought to you by the infectious Phoenix band KT and The Repeat Offenders, with special guest Florence Project Board President Noel Fidel on trumpet! Tickets are just $20!  All proceeds will benefit the Florence Project’s programs and services. What is more fun than music, dancing, and supporting a good cause?

What:      KT and The Repeat Offenders Concert

When:     Saturday, November 19th, 6:00pm (doors 5:30 pm)

Where:   The Rhythm Room / 1019 E. Indian School Road / Phoenix

Cost:        $20 advance / $25 door

To purchase tickets online, click the donate tab below and put “Repeat Offenders” in the Paypal purpose line.

To purchase by mail, send a check with “Repeat Offenders” in the memo line to The Florence Project, PO Box 654, Florence, AZ 85132.

Upon receiving payment, we’ll mail you your tickets.  Feel free to email us at firrp@firrp.org with any questions.

See you at the show!

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KT and The Repeat Offenders* is a 12-piece, high energy rhythm and blues band that plays blues, 60′s R&B, Santana, rock, and Motown music.  Regulars at the Rhythm Room, they have garnered a devoted following and are known as one of the Valley’s most fun and infectious live bands. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/ktandrepeatoffenders and by searching “KT and Repeat Offenders” on www.youtube.com.

The wonderful community of the Restoration Project Casa Mariposa in Tucson is hosting two upcoming volunteer orientations for community members interested in learning more about writing letters and visiting detainees in ICE custody and assisting people when they are released to the Tucson and Phoenix bus stations at night.

These volunteers have provided a huge support to men and women detained in Florence and Eloy by honoring their dignity,  getting to know them as people, and welcoming them into the community upon release. Both events are free and you are encouraged to bring snacks to share.

Saturday, August 27, Phoenix
10:00 am — 12:30 pm.
Contact restorationprojectflorence@gmail.com for the location

Saturday, September 17, Tucson
10:00 am — 12:30 pm.
Casa Mariposa, 340 S. 3rd Ave., Tucson

To learn more about the Restoration Project link here to their Facebook page and blog. Or send an email to restorationprojectflorence@gmail.com