St. Thomas Human Rights Institute - Helping Asylum Seekers and Refugees Prepare for Court

A 29-year-old Cuban immigrant man suffering from early-onset Parkinson’s was on the brink of ending his life when he walked into STU’s Human Rights Institute. He had lost his job because of symptoms related to his disease, and was living in his car. He hit rock bottom when the car’s tires blew out and the car was towed.

“He walked into our office with two pieces of paper – one with the address of his parents, who live in Cuba, and a letter, essentially his suicide letter. He came to us in this moment of desperation because the institute was all he had,” said Christine Reis, a lawyer and director of St. Thomas University's Human Rights Institute.

Within hours, the paralegal working his case had her husband buy him new tires, get his car out of the towing yard, and colleagues helped her raise money for him. Within days the institute found him a place to live – special housing for people with his condition – and worked with Jackson Memorial Hospital to get him the attention and medications he needed to lead a better life. And within six months, he was on his way to becoming a citizen, and most importantly, he was a completely different, happier person.

“The office [Human Rights Institute] is a great example of what STU is – a family always willing to help one another and others,” Reis said.

Since its inception in 1992, STU’s Human Trafficking Institute has been helping people who have refugee or asylum status become permanent residents, as well as guiding them through complicated legal processes. Over the years, the institute has seen several cases like the one mentioned above ranging from people in the final stages of cancer, to those with Alzheimer’s disease.

“We deal with so many individuals all with a unique, sometimes heart-wrenching story to tell, and we do our best to help them in any way we can,” said Reis. “Our ultimate goal is for these individuals (and sometimes families) to acclimate and become United States citizens with all of its rights and privileges.”

There are similar organizations in South Florida, but STU’s Human Rights Institute is the only one that offers its services completely free of charge – there are no hidden fees or additional charges. And if other services are needed – psychological, special needs, housing – the institute has strong professional relationships with other service providers in the community, and helps guide individuals in the right direction.

“The institute takes care of the legal aspects of their situation, but it has tentacles that reach out to different services,” said Reis.

With offices located in Miami, Broward and West Palm Beach, the institute helps about 200 people a month, and Reis says, she hopes to continue to carry out the institute’s mission for many years to come.

Student Spotlight: Disabled Law Student Dedicates Himself to the Service of Others

Antonio Dowels

Over the course of his life, St. Thomas Law student Antonio "Tony" Dowels has had to face adversity straight in the eye.  Nine years ago, as a high-school senior,  a life-changing, near-death experience left him confined to a wheelchair, but also gave him renewed determination to continue his selfless focus on service to others that had been a part of his upbringing ever since he was only five years old  attending church with his mother and grandmother.

After graduating from high school, Tony attended the University of Florida where he earned his degree in sports management. Upon earning that degree,  he made the decision to not only pursue his law degree, but to simultaneously pursue his Masters degree in Sports Administration in one of St. Thomas Law's joint-degree programs.

His initial career goal was to be a sports agent but, as his studies progressed, he rediscovered his passion for service. With that in mind, he met with his law school career counselor, Robert Jack, in pursuit of internships and pro bono opportunities in public service. As a law student, time is at a premium, yet Tony made the decision to add 'avid volunteer' to his list of titles.

"Antonio is a law student who serves others without expecting recognition or anything in return," noted Jack. "He plans, coordinates and often brings other students in carpools to volunteering events throughout the year. His enthusiasm for pro bono service is contagious and he is a notable example of St. Thomas Law’s commitment to pro bono and public service."

Antonio shown in packing session at Feed My Staving Children
(Photo Courtesy of fmsc.com)

For two weeks just prior to the end of last semester, Tony joined the team of volunteers at Feed My Starving Children - an organization that sends hand-pack meals, specially formulated for malnourished children, to partners around the world where they are used to operate orphanages, schools, clinics and feeding programs.

Additionally, two afternoons per week, he can be found at His House Children's Home. His House offers a home to abused, abandoned and neglected children in South Florida. For two hours, he tutors the children in math, reading and science. Through this service, he has now discovered a new affinity for teaching.  Tony described the interactions with these children as "real" and "honest."

"My wheelchair became an icebreaker," stated Tony.  "The children are fascinated with all the lights on the wheels."

Tony was so moved by the experience at His House that he went one step further and began to assist in the organization's fundraising efforts with support from the St. Thomas law family. All the funds raised went towards the operation of the home.

This past summer, while completing courses for the MBA portion of his joint degree, Tony began interning with a non-profit start up in Miami. The project, simply named Miami Funding Corporation, is being developed to aid students who are struggling with the burden of student loans. The project is allowing Tony to further develop his fundraising and grant-writing skills for the important, and often overlooked, issue of student debt.

We proudly highlight these selfless efforts by Antonio and other students who continue to embody the spirit and mission of St. Thomas Law.

Alumni Spotlight: Another St. Thomas Law Alum Makes Partner

Julie Harris Nelson '94

St. Thomas Law congratulates alum Julie Harris Nelson who was recently named partner in the South Florida office of Roig Lawyers.

Mrs. Harris Nelson began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County under Katherine Fernandez Rundle. She later began practicing insurance defense with an emphasis on premises liability and bodily injury.

While attending St. Thomas Law she was a member of Black Law Students Association, the Catholic Lawyers Guild, the Appellate Moot Court and Trial Court Teams, and the Peter Faye Inns of Court.

She served as summer federal law clerk to the Honorable William Hoeveler in 1992.  In 1993 and 1994 she served as a law clerk for the City of Miami Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Roig Lawyers is a minority owned, multi-practice Florida litigation firm with a growing presence in the Florida legal market. They currently have over 100 attorneys in six offices throughout the state.