Terra Firma: Healthcare and Justice
Who We Are:
Terra Firma, founded in 2013, is a ground-breaking program designed to address the complex medical, mental health and legal needs of newly-arrived unaccompanied immigrant children and families seeking humanitarian protection in the United States. Our unique wrap-around model provides co-located healthcare and legal services in a state-of-the-art community health center in the South Bronx.
Our Vision:
At Terra Firma, we believe that all children and families deserve healthcare and justice, regardless of immigration status.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to ensure that newly-arrived immigrant children and families have access to quality healthcare and legal representation; and that they are empowered to develop resilience, attain safety and, and given the chance to reach their full potential.
Who We Serve:
Terra Firma provides services to two resilient yet highly vulnerable newly-arrived immigrant populations seeking US protection:
Unaccompanied immigrant children: Children under 18 years of age who are apprehended at the border without a legal guardian.
Family Units: Children apprehended with a parent or legal guardian; including children separated from their caregivers by the US government.
To date Terra Firma has served close to 900 children and family members.
The Need:
Endemic gang violence, pervasive child abuse, gender-based crimes, abject poverty and environmental disasters are among the key factors forcing children to flee their countries of origin. Arduous journeys to the US end when they are apprehended at the southwest border and placed in immigration detention. As staggering violence and abject poverty go unabated.
