Elizabeta Markuci, the extraordinary director and creator of the VOLS Immigration Project, will be leaving at the end of May.

Liz started working with VOLS 10 years ago as a part-time consultant, working with law firms that partnered with high schools and other organizations to provide legal services to under-resourced communities. There was no immigration program.

Liz created and nurtured the program that today is a four-person team within the VOLS organization of 16 people.

Today they bring legal services directly to schools – 19 currently – supporting immigrant high-school students on the path to college and employment, including providing “know your rights” information. In 2014, the New York City Bar Association honored Liz with its Legal Services Award in recognition of her leadership of the VOLS Immigration Project.

Liz has recruited, trained and mentored hundreds of volunteer attorneys to represent immigrants through various pro bono initiatives throughout New York City, and has served on several bar association committees. This work has been critical to enhancing access to ethical and free legal assistance for those who cannot afford it and desperately seek advice.

“As the first person in my family to attend college, get an advanced degree, as well as an immigrant myself, I feel privileged and fortunate to have been part of VOLS, and to have been able to use my skills to support others to achieve their goals” said Liz, a graduate of the City University of New York School of Law and the University of Western Ontario.

Under Liz’s leadership, the VOLS Immigration Program has been tireless in its efforts to identify areas of unmet need and work with pro bono partners to fill in those gaps. Though there are more resources now, advocating for immigrant rights has never been so intense, and the stakes never higher. The VOLS Immigration Project will gain the additional support of an Immigrant Justice Corps fellow who will start in the fall and will continue the work, standing alongside the resilient young immigrants seeking security in the United States.

“Liz is a leader in the immigration and pro bono community and a passionate advocate for her clients. VOLS has been fortunate to have benefitted from her vision for and commitment to the Immigration Project,” said Marcia Levy, VOLS Executive Director. “She will be greatly missed. We wish her the very best.”

VOLS is in the process of hiring a new Immigration Project Director. For more information, see the VOLS website or click here.