Launched to honor the Young Center’s former Associate Director, child’s rights advocate Elizabeth Frankel, this Fellowship supports law students as they learn to advocate effectively for immigrant children and families.
We are currently accepting applications for Summer 2023 fellowship opportunities.
Meet the Inaugural Cohort of the Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship Program
Rubí Rodriguez
Rubí Rodriguez is a rising second-year student at Columbia Law School, where she is also a Public Interest/Public Service Fellow and participated in the LaLSA Asylum & Refugee Law Moot Court. Rubí has previously served as the volunteer coordinator at the Young Center-New York and worked at the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project as a paralegal on the team that obtained a nationwide injunction banning the government from separating families at the border. She was also part of the team that challenged the government’s practice of sending asylum-seeking families back to Mexico pending their immigration hearings.
“My experiences so far have taught me about the multi-faceted role of lawyers opposing policies harmful to oppressed and vulnerable populations. Being part of a collective effort to protect immigrant families exposed me to the vastness of the immigration field comprised of civil rights litigators, defense attorneys, and policy advocates working together. I view this fellowship as an opportunity to tangibly demonstrate my gratitude for Liz, who had a lasting impact on me. I cannot think of a better way to honor her legacy and dedication to helping immigrant children than by contributing to the work of which she was most proud.”-Rubí Rodriguez
Mary Ruiz De La O
Mary Ruiz De La O is a rising third-year student at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she recently participated in the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic. Mary is a member of the Executive Board of the Latinx Law Student Association where she focuses on demystifying law school for students from marginalized backgrounds. Previously, she has worked with the Alameda County Public Defender's Immigration Unit defending people against deportation. Mary has also served as a program coordinator at the East Bay Community Law Center in their Education, Defense, and Justice for Youth program where she contributed to the defense of children impacted by school-push-out and the criminal legal system.
“As a kid, my desire to protect my family extended to caring for others. It continues to impact the work that I do today and the vision I have for my future now. I have a deep desire to utilize my legal training to ensure that no one experiences family separation through systemic oppression. This has built an interest in juvenile defense and deportation defense work and thinking about the intersections of policy and the law. I want to see a full picture of my client’s experiences, but also want to develop a systemic analysis of the issues impacting their lives. I feel strongly that I can use my direct service skills, as well as my commitment to racial/social justice to make meaningful contributions to the Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship.”-Mary Ruiz De La O
Oneida Vargas Molina
Oneida Vargas Molina is a rising second-year student at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Prior to law school, she attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. Previously, Oneida has worked as a case manager at National Youth Advocate Program-La Jornada, which serves unaccompanied children around the country. Oneida has also interned at the Cook County’s Public Defender’s Office in the Juvenile Department and at the Illinois State Capitol.
“Working with the Young Center’s Chicago office before law school afforded me the opportunity to understand the role attorneys play in the futures of each child. As an immigration attorney, I want to work towards identifying and advocating for, long-term legal relief for each child. I am positive that the Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship is a step in the right direction for my long-term career goals, especially given my personal experience with immigration as a child.”-Oneida Vargas Molina
About Elizabeth M. Frankel
Elizabeth M. Frankel (1977-2021) was the first Associate Director of the Young Center. She joined the Young Center in late 2009, as just the third full-time employee, becoming part of a trio of attorneys in Chicago who would develop and implement an entirely new model for advocating for the rights of immigrant children and youth. Today the Young Center has eight offices across the country with more than 80 staff; Liz was involved in the creation and development of each and every office. From 2009 to 2015, Liz taught in the Immigrant Child Advocacy Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School. She loved mentoring law students and helping them develop their skills to pursue careers in public interest law or take pro bono cases.
About the Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship Program
The Fellowship will enable fellows to spend 10 weeks training to zealously advocate for children, and to carry on Liz’s vision of honoring the child’s wishes through careful, strategic advocacy. The Fellows will serve as Child Advocates for individual children, and will also conduct legal research and writing under the guidance of Young Center staff within the Child Advocate Program. Fellows will be based in New York City and have the opportunity to spend a week of the Fellowship Program in the Young Center’s Harlingen, TX office to understand how immigration patterns, enforcement, and advocacy play out on the ground along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Young Center announced the first annual Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship for the 2022 summer. The Elizabeth Frankel Advisory Committee, comprised of Liz’s family, friends, colleagues, and Young Center staff, advises the Young Center regarding the operation of the Fellowship Program. Fellows receive a stipend of $10,000 for 10 weeks. The Fellowship is open to law students who are rising 2L’s or 3L’s. Preferred qualifications: lived experience and knowledge that lends insight into supporting immigrant children and their families, and bilingual in Spanish and English (oral and written). Additional consideration will be given to law students whose circumstances might prevent them from engaging in pro bono work during the summer.
About Fellowship Supporters
This Fellowship is made possible with the generous support of family members, friends, former students, and colleagues of Liz and honors Liz's fighting spirit and her unwavering dedication to justice for children. The members of Liz Frankel’s family, Joan and Michael Frankel, Thomas and Katie Kasa, Sarah Frankel and Ben Kroger, Jonathan Frankel and Katherine Hunsberger would like to thank the many donors who have contributed to the Young Center’s Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship fund:
James Adler ⬩ Susan Alexander ⬩ Meredith and Ankoor Amin ⬩ Audrey and Andres Arazoza ⬩ Saul Austerlitz ⬩ Lee Anne Baer and Mark Gurvitz ⬩ Helene Banks ⬩ Caroline and Adam Barton ⬩ David Becker ⬩ Renee Beckoff ⬩ Carlyn Benkov ⬩ Lenni Benson ⬩ Richard and Barbara Bentz ⬩ Gian-Paul Bergeron ⬩ Alyssa Bernstein ⬩ Landis Best ⬩ Moiz Bharmal ⬩ Juliann Bildhauer ⬩ Janine Biskind ⬩ Victoria and John Bjorklund ⬩ Martin J. Blaser ⬩ The Jeannie Blaustein and Peter Bokor Fund ⬩ Rebecca Bloom ⬩ Paula and Neal Bobys ⬩ Lisa Boehm ⬩ Nicole Boehner ⬩ Justin Boren ⬩ Raj Borsellino ⬩ Diane Bourgeois ⬩ Mary Bracken ⬩ Randy, Murray and the Brooklyn NY Holdings Team ⬩ Barbara Brown ⬩ Jordan Brown ⬩ Ronni Brown ⬩ Kathleen and James Buchanan ⬩ Ellen (Penny) Bucky ⬩ Kristan Burba ⬩ Clarie, Pat and Thomas Burns ⬩ Jane Byrne ⬩ Mary Byrne ⬩ Clare Byrnes ⬩ Maeve and Thomas Byrnes ⬩ Meaghan Byrnes and Bryan Wright ⬩ Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP ⬩ Gina Cartusciello ⬩ Rocio Castaneda ⬩ Eileen Castro ⬩ Linus Chan ⬩ Sabrina Chang ⬩ Chris Chaves ⬩ Jennifer Chemel ⬩ Fred Churchley ⬩ Ursula and Walter Cliff ⬩ Ben Cohen ⬩ Angie Colbert ⬩ The Commissioner ⬩ Laura Beiles Coppola ⬩ Christian Correa and Laura Abrams ⬩ Jonathan Cotugno ⬩ Robert and Ann Cowen ⬩ Marshall and Nathalie Cox ⬩ M Elaine Crocker ⬩ Patricia Crown ⬩ Mariano Curat ⬩ Ronni and Louis Davidowitz ⬩ Preston Demouchet ⬩ Sarah Diaz ⬩ Julian Dibbell and Jennifer Cole ⬩ Nicholas Digani ⬩ Jennifer Dixon ⬩ Derek Dorn and Salvatore Gogliormella ⬩ Emily and Spencer Dorn ⬩ Margaret Drohan ⬩ Georgianna Duarte ⬩ Nicholas DuBroff ⬩ W. Leslie Duffy ⬩ Seth Ehrenberg ⬩ Michelle and Lew Epstein ⬩ Lindsay Evans ⬩ Patricia Farren ⬩ Joseph Ferris ⬩ Mr. and Mrs. William Finestone ⬩ Charlotte Fischman ⬩ Simon Fishel ⬩ Aaron Fleisher ⬩ Mary and William Forcellon ⬩ Sara Steinberg Forman ⬩ Elizabeth Foss ⬩ Jennifer Foss-Feig ⬩ Glenn Fox ⬩ Jon Frankel ⬩ Susan Frankel and Lee Frankel-Goldwater ⬩ Lindsey Franklin ⬩ Susan Freidman ⬩ Abigail Friedman ⬩ Daniel Friedman and Michelle Andelman ⬩ Ethan and Emily Friedman ⬩ Gary B. and Carol A. Friedman ⬩ Robert Friedman ⬩ Ruth Friendly ⬩ Alexandra and Michael Fung ⬩ Craig Futterman ⬩ James Gadsden ⬩ Gail Gamboni ⬩ Patricia Garrett ⬩ Michelle Geller ⬩ Patricia Gentile and Steven Barajas ⬩ Leigh George ⬩ Bethany Gerstein ⬩ Roberta and Steven Glusband ⬩ Clare and Gerard Gorek ⬩ Brittany Gorin and Nick Dufau ⬩ Raj Goyal ⬩ Kennedy Green ⬩ Carolyn Greenblatt ⬩ Scott Greenblatt ⬩ Michael Greenblatt ⬩ John Griem ⬩ Grace and Mike Griffin ⬩ Andrea Gurvitz ⬩ Elizabeth Hadaway ⬩ John Hall ⬩ Amy Hampe ⬩ Charlene Hamrah and Raymond Marquis ⬩ Donald E. Handelman ⬩ Rick and Joy Handelman ⬩ Scott and Abby Handelman ⬩ Mark E. Haranzo ⬩ Meryl Hartzband ⬩ Cathy and Joe Hasselt ⬩ Amanda and Ryan Hayes ⬩ Peter Heilbrun ⬩ Patricia Herold ⬩ Mark Heyrman ⬩ Joyce Hilly ⬩ Linda Hirschson ⬩ Teresa and Ravi Hoerres ⬩ Peggy Hoffman ⬩ Andrea and Craig Horowitz ⬩ Claire Hughes ⬩ Sarah Hughes ⬩ Sarah and Andrew Hurley ⬩ Andrea Hyde and Dave Harrington ⬩ Kristen Jackson ⬩ Ellena and Arnie Jacobs ⬩ Janice & Steven Hartz Charitable Fund ⬩ John and Marilyn Schuster Fund ⬩ Meredith Jones ⬩ Allen Joslyn ⬩ Donna and Frank Joyce ⬩ Rita Kaplan ⬩ Laura Kaufman and David Levine ⬩ Jess Kausen ⬩ Thomas Kavaler ⬩ Noah Kazam ⬩ Jean Kearns ⬩ Eve Kedar ⬩ Jamuna Kelley ⬩ Celeste and Tom Kelly ⬩ Elizabeth Keyes ⬩ Robert J. Kheel ⬩ Kids in Need of Defense ⬩ Erica Kishi ⬩ Lawrence Kobrin ⬩ Gail Kohn ⬩ Laura Kornstein and Peter Almasi ⬩ Ellen Kratzer and Brian Rose ⬩ Charlie and Elka Kuhlman ⬩ Joel Kurtzberg ⬩ Jayne M. Kurzman ⬩ Jenny L. LaFarge ⬩ Rosanne and Guy Lander ⬩ Amy Langlois ⬩ Steven Lappert ⬩ Buffy Lenth ⬩ Jeff Leslie ⬩ Barbara and Peter Letvinchuk ⬩ Arlene and Jerome Levine ⬩ Alison Levy ⬩ Holen Lewis ⬩ Roberta and Mark Lichtenberg ⬩ Sarah Liebel ⬩ Meredith Linsky ⬩ Judith Lockhart ⬩ Whitney Lomazow ⬩ Christopher Long ⬩ Celeste Lorenzo-Rodriguez ⬩ Delia Luciano ⬩ Katherine Lynch ⬩ Ellen and Andrew Lynette ⬩ John Maccabee ⬩ Robert Magill ⬩ The Management Center ⬩ Randi Mandelbaum ⬩ Kelly Mulvoy Mangan ⬩ Donna Manion ⬩ Bruce and Ellyn Mantell ⬩ Carol and Bob Marcus ⬩ Randall Mardus ⬩ Jonathan Mark ⬩ Deborah Mattingly ⬩ Susie and Mahmoud Mazaheri ⬩ David McCabe ⬩ Pamela McCormick ⬩ Mark McCoy ⬩ Kiley McEvoy ⬩ Sandra and Charlie McIntosh ⬩ Neal McNamara ⬩ Thomas McShane ⬩ Paula Mejia ⬩ Jeanne M. and Peter F. Messina ⬩ Cori Messinger ⬩ Gene and Jeanmarie Messner ⬩ Norman Metz ⬩ Betsy S. Michel ⬩ Beth and Matthew Miller ⬩ Heather and Paul Miller ⬩ Lawrence Miller ⬩ Lee Miller ⬩ Shari Mintz ⬩ Lyndley Mercer Mittler ⬩ Nicole Moody ⬩ Melinda Morrill ⬩ Malcolm and Mary Morris ⬩ The Morrison & Foerster Foundation ⬩ Dan and Anja Moss ⬩ Hannah Mulder ⬩ Amy and John Murtagh ⬩ Fern and Tom Murtagh ⬩ Hilary Murtagh ⬩ James Murtagh ⬩ John and Margaret Murtagh ⬩ Lindsey and Brendan Murtagh ⬩ Shannon Murtagh and Jon Schwarz ⬩ Carrie Nazzaro ⬩ Tiffany Nelms ⬩ James Newman ⬩ Stephanie Norton ⬩ Jackie and Jerry Novin ⬩ Uzoamaka Nzelibe ⬩ Edward Ogden ⬩ Athy O'Keeffe ⬩ Helene and Kenneth Orce ⬩ Junko Ozao-Choy ⬩ Lynn Paltrow ⬩ Marsha Papanek ⬩ Elizabeth Peabody ⬩ Maria Pellegrini ⬩ Lauren Perlgut ⬩ M K Perry ⬩ Stephen Plotnick ⬩ Tracy Podgorski ⬩ Jennifer Podkul ⬩ Susan Porter ⬩ Daniel and Jessica Pries ⬩ Ellen and Michael Pries ⬩ Justin Ramirez ⬩ David L. Rawle ⬩ Roy Regozin ⬩ Francesca Reilly-McDonnell and Brian McDonnell ⬩ Tim and Kimmi Reilly ⬩ Tim Reusing ⬩ Elizabeth Richman ⬩ Elizabeth Rieser-Murphy ⬩ Dean and Ronnie Ringel ⬩ Robert R. and Gayle T. Meyer Family Fund, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation, at the recommendation of Anna Simpson ⬩ Robert R. and Gayle T. Meyer Family Fund, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation, at the recommendation of Bob & Gayle Meyer, Dan & Anna Simpson, and Molly Meyer ⬩ Karrie Robinson ⬩ Amelia Ryan ⬩ Alessandro Sacerdoti ⬩ Danielle Salgado ⬩ Rebecca Schaefer ⬩ Jonathan Schaffzin and Melissa Benzuly ⬩ Patricia Schuler ⬩ Gigi and Andrew Schwertfeger ⬩ Rachel and Gary Sesser ⬩ Susan Shah ⬩ Alanna Shanley and Jason Golder ⬩ Michael Sherman ⬩ Nitasha Shetty ⬩ Barbara Shiers and Joel Sternman ⬩ Kathie and John Shutkin ⬩ Martin and Sheryl Silfen ⬩ Sharon and Jeffery Silver ⬩ Anna and Dan Simpson ⬩ Pritika Singh ⬩ Sophia and Eric Skaar ⬩ Laura Smith ⬩ Michael Smith ⬩ Sarah Smith ⬩ Hannah Somerville ⬩ Laurence and Joan Sorkin ⬩ Pamela Spiegel ⬩ Gui Stampur ⬩ Jane Stanley ⬩ Lillian Stern and Peter Herczfeld ⬩ Denise Stevens ⬩ Richard Stieglitz ⬩ Mary Stokinger ⬩ Karen and Michael Stolzar ⬩ Molly and Duje Tadin ⬩ Diana Tafone and Elly Kuhlman ⬩ John Tebeau ⬩ Anjelika and Dave Temple ⬩ Mark Templeton ⬩ Hilary Tholen ⬩ Lauren Thomas ⬩ Bettina To ⬩ Eileen and Andrew Van Hoek ⬩ Constance Vaughan ⬩ Steve Vinson ⬩ Eileen and Theodore Wagner ⬩ George and Adele Wailand ⬩ Glenn Waldrip and Dawn Sands ⬩ Judith Wallace ⬩ Ali Waller ⬩ Scott Waltman ⬩ Katherine and Jeremy Walts ⬩ Jay Waxenberg ⬩ Lauren Webb ⬩ Jonathan Weinbach ⬩ Catherine Weiss ⬩ Richard Weiss ⬩ Erin Wilson ⬩ Kathleen and Charles Wilson ⬩ Molly Wiltshire ⬩ Maria Woltjen and Alex Kotlowitz ⬩ Eleanor Worth ⬩ Wendy Wylegala ⬩ Elizabeth Yaeger ⬩ Caryl Yanow ⬩ Elizabeth Zakarin ⬩ Kezia Zakem ⬩ Molly Zeff ⬩ Kathleen Zimpleman ⬩ Gitta Zomorodi ⬩ Gretchen Zunkel ⬩ Anonymous