population-scope: Regional

Restoration Immigration Legal Aid (RILA)

EIN: 83-3874634

Mission Statement

Restoration Immigration Legal Aid (RILA) is an Arlington-based non-profit that provides pro bono immigration legal representation and consultation for some of the most vulnerable immigrants in Northern Virginia, focusing on asylum-seekers and immigrant children.

Program Summary

RILA supports immigrants in our community by providing excellent pro bono legal assistance to those who are most vulnerable and have the fewest resources.  Focusing on asylum law and procedure, RILA comes alongside asylum-seekers, all of whom have fled life-threatening situations in their countries of origin, to guide them through the application process for asylum and represent them in immigration court. RILA also represents children and youth who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by a parent, petitioning for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status. Each of our cases is a years long process. During that time we obtain work permits for our clients, allowing individuals to reliably support their families.

In January of 2025, RILA added a Know Your Rights program in which we offer seminars virtually and/or in person to serve and inform immigrants and their families and community members in the Northern Virginia area. By partnering with local organizations, schools, and churches, we are sharing vital information with some of our area’s most vulnerable neighbors–immigrants and their families.

Impact Statement

RILA has demonstrated success in achieving significant, life-changing results for our clients with a 73% success rate for securing grants of asylum or some other type of humanitarian legal status for our clients. We have successfully obtained approval in 99% of our SIJS cases for children and teens who were abused or abandoned by a parent.

Over the past year, RILA managed a caseload of roughly 1,000 clients and assisted another 1,100 people by providing information and referrals. Since our founding, we have helped 134 individuals win asylum, allowing them to rebuild their lives in the United States in safety. RILA also assisted 264 children and teens in petitioning for and obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status, a pathway to legal permanent residence for young people who have experienced parental abuse, abandonment or neglect. And RILA obtains work permits for its clients, allowing individuals to reliably support their families.

What ways can the public get involved?

RILA makes space for people in Arlington from diverse backgrounds to work together to support, listen and give. We employ an innovative clinic model that integrates RILA staff, volunteers, local partner organizations and clients all working together. Volunteers can:

Attorneys can write legal briefs or represent clients at the asylum office or in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Attorneys with daytime flexibility can also accompany RILA clients to ICE check-ins and other appointments with DHS. 

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Information provided March 2026

Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA)

EIN: 54-0603502

Mission Statement

Improve the lives of animals and people by providing resources, care, and protection.

Program Summary

What We Do

Impact Statement

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) provides animal adoption and community programs to the Northern Virginia and D.C. Metropolitan area, as well as animal rescue, control, and wildlife services within Arlington County. For more than 80 years, AWLA has remained committed to its mission to improve the lives of animals and the people who love them by providing resources, care, and protection.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

AWLA recognizes the value of a dollar and thoughtfully uses every donation to further the shelter’s mission to improve the lives of animals (and the people who love them). Impartial third-party organizations including Charity Navigator and Guidestar rate AWLA highly for financial health, accountability and transparency with four-stars and a Platinum rating respectively. AWLA’s annual financial statements are available to the public on our website.

Information provided March 2025

True Ground Housing Partners (formerly APAH)

EIN: 54-1414133

Mission Statement

We exist to provide quality affordable housing and resident-centered programming to help our residents make the most of their home.

Program Summary

Our homes provide residents with the foundation to live their dreams. Our resident services program strives to propel residents’ efforts to achieve their personal and professional goals. Together, these programs strive to elevate residents across lower levels of economic status throughout our community.

Specifically, our resident services program is centered around a mission to provide assistance to all True Ground residents and help them eliminate barriers to obtaining self-sufficiency. This is achieved through more targeted goals for four programmatic pillars: housing stability; economic mobility; health and wellness; and children, youth and families. Ultimately, it is our hope that True Ground residents either break the cycle of poverty and their children have the academic and social capital to receive post-secondary education/training and acquire a family-sustaining job, or that adults are able to age in place in their apartment living a healthy, quality life in pursuit of their own professional and personal goals

Impact Statement

True Ground’s vision guides our work: Everyone deserves a place to call home – a foundation to live their dreams.

Our growing Resident Services program and regional real estate development projects positively impact the resilient, diverse populations that True Ground serves.

What ways can the public get involved?

True Ground accepts charitable and in-kind donations as a charitable nonprofit organization.

Volunteers are critical to our regular operations; they help with supplemental nutrition distribution, after-school activities, community-building events, and much more.

Neighbors and housing advocates can support local initiatives that advance affordable housing priorities in their communities

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Philanthropic funding at True Ground supports our mission to provide affordable housing in the region and resident-centered programming to benefit those who call our communities home. Our resident services program is funded entirely through philanthropic gifts like yours.

Information provided March 2025