Announcing New Bridgework Partnership with Illinois Workers in Action

As the fight for immigrant, tenant, and workers rights intensifies, Beyond is pleased to announce a new Bridgework Partnership with Illinois Workers in Action. In recognition that community organizations dedicated to justice provide a range of services and have varying needs, our Bridgework Partnership model allows Beyond to work directly with other organizations and provide the tailored, comprehensive support that strengthens both organizations. 

Beyond Community Empowerment Supervisor, Saul Brand Padilla underscores the importance of this work today, highlighting that:

“Beyond's Bridgework Partnerships are about building long-term community capacity. By providing technical assistance and supporting organizations like IWA in developing accredited representatives, we're helping create sustainable immigration legal services that will expand access to trusted representation for years to come.”

Illinois Workers in Action serves and protects vulnerable workers through education, organizing, and work in policy, solidarity, worker power, and rights arenas. Whether through programmatic elements such as labor rights education and bilingual parental support, or through campaigns like Work Permits for All, Illinois Workers in Action continues to work for greater social change. 

In anticipation of the work ahead, Executive Director of Illinois Workers in Action, Giselle Rodriguez, reminds readers: 

“At Illinois Workers in Action, we know that access to justice goes beyond simply connecting someone to an attorney, it means ensuring our communities have trusted, culturally responsive support every step of the way. Our partnership with Beyond Legal Aid strengthens our ability to meet people where they are, expand access to high-quality legal services, and build a more coordinated network of support for immigrant and working families. Together, we're helping remove barriers and creating pathways to safety, stability, and opportunity.”

For Beyond, this partnership represents the expansion of our joint work to fight for vulnerable communities. Together, we are able to expand our impact and address the issues ahead in solidarity and partnership.