Irene Sanchez
Irene Sanchez is the JustCause Legal Advocate and DOJ Accredited Representative, with responsibility for leading inter-agency Immigrant Rights and Micro-Entrepreneur programs. In this role, Irene and her team attend to the unique needs of the community’s immigrant and migrant populations. By partnering with volunteer attorneys and community service providers, Irene’s team provides legal information, advice, and representation to immigrants who are facing health, housing, and other legal obstacles. Through her leadership, underrepresented individuals and families have access to legal representation, advice and counsel on immigration matters, family preparedness and rural area clinics, and comprehensive legal support to new and developing small businesses.
Prior to joining JustCause in 2020, Irene has served in several nonprofit organizations since 2006. She worked at PathStone Corporation as a Placement Career Services Developer assisting farmworkers in obtaining training and employment. From 2008 thru 2017, Irene served as the Training Coordinator for the New York State Migrant Education Program, Identification, and Recruitment Office. In 2016, Irene assumed responsibilities as the Outreach and Education Program Director at the Worker Justice Center of New York.
In addition to her primary responsibilities, since 2015 Irene has served as the Board Chair of the Western New York Coalition of Farmworkers Serving Agencies. This collective of agencies coordinates comprehensive services for the farmworker community. In 2017, she founded Puertorriqueños Unidos en la Distancia-United in the Distance led by volunteers supporting survivors of natural disasters arriving in Rochester. The organization created awareness of the needs of hundreds of new neighbors in need of language access, education services, and employment opportunities. In early 2020, Irene joined JustCause, formerly known as Volunteer Legal Services Project, as their legal advocate to pursue her passion for helping low-income individuals ensure their access to resources and quality legal representation. A native of Puerto Rico, Irene earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Summa Cum Laude, from the American University of Puerto Rico and also earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration, Magna Cum Laude, from the SUNY College at Brockport.
