Giving Back to the Community — And the Organizations Making It Possible
Immigration attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan with Lake City Collective co-founder César García outside the Lake City Collective office in North Seattle.
On Saturday, March 14, attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan had the privilege of offering free immigration consultations at Lake City Collective in North Seattle's Little Brook neighborhood. It was a meaningful morning — and a reminder of something worth saying out loud: access to legal guidance should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.
Why Pro Bono Work Matters
For many immigrant families, a single conversation with an immigration attorney can be the difference between understanding their options and feeling completely lost in a system that was not designed to be easy to navigate. Questions about a marriage green card, a family petition, DACA, or citizenship don't disappear because someone can't afford a consultation fee. They grow. They cause stress. And in some cases, they lead people to make decisions — or miss deadlines — that affect their cases for years.
Pro bono work is one way attorneys can help close that gap. It isn't a substitute for systemic change, but it is a way of showing up for the community in a direct and tangible way. Lesley has been practicing immigration law since 2004, and events like this one are a reflection of why she does this work.
Spotlight: Lake City Collective
Lake City Collective is a minority-led, grassroots nonprofit based at 13525 32nd Ave NE in Seattle's Little Brook neighborhood. Founded by César García and Peggy Hernández Rojas, the organization has grown into an essential community hub for BIPOC and multicultural families living north of Seattle's ship canal.
Their work goes well beyond any single program. Lake City Collective advocates for environmental justice, supports small and minority-owned businesses in multiple languages, organizes cultural events, and works to ensure that families in North Seattle can remain in the communities they've chosen to call home — even as gentrification continues to reshape the city. They are also in the process of building North Seattle's first multicultural community center, a long-term vision that speaks to the depth of their commitment to this neighborhood.
If you live or work in the 98125 area, Lake City Collective is a resource worth knowing.
🌐 lakecitycollective.org
📘 facebook.com/LakeCityCollective
The Bigger Picture: Community Organizations as a Lifeline
Lake City Collective is one of many organizations in the Seattle area doing vital work for immigrant and underserved communities. Another long-standing example is Casa Latina, which has been advancing the power and well-being of Latino immigrants since 1994 through employment support, English language education, and community organizing. Organizations like these don't just fill gaps — they build the kind of community infrastructure that helps families thrive.
At L.I.H. Law, we believe that knowing your community resources is just as important as knowing your legal options. The two often go hand in hand.
We Want to Hear From You
Seattle has no shortage of organizations doing incredible work for immigrant families — and we know our clients and community members often know about resources that others don't. Whether it's a local nonprofit, a community health center, a workers' rights organization, or a cultural community group, we'd love to hear about the organizations you've found helpful or believe more people should know about.
Leave a comment below and share a resource that has made a difference for you or someone you know. Building this community means learning from each other.
L.I.H. Law, P.S. is a Seattle immigration law firm led by attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan. The firm offers consultations in English and Spanish. To schedule, call (206) 838-7628 or reach out via WhatsApp.
