La Posada Providencia recently accepted an award from The South Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) to acknowledge its support of people from around the world, seeking refuge and a new life in this country. TCRP promotes racial, social, and economic justice through litigation, education and social services for low/moderate-income persons least able to defend themselves.

La Posada’s award was presented at an evening reception on Wednesday, May 16, at the McAllen Texas Chamber of Commerce. Presenting the award to La Posada was Meredith Linsky, Director of ProBAR, the South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project. This is a project of the American Bar Association, The State Bar Association of Texas and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Ms. Linsky, who has worked with La Posada since its inception, gave a heartwarming account of La Posada’s work as well as supporting personal accounts written to her for the occasion by three former clients. Meredith’s introduction aptly captured what the three clients had to say, “La Posada Providencia is a warm and inviting refugee shelter … where many immigrants and asylees find their first home and first family in the United States … but La Posada is more than just a shelter, it is community and it is a family of many different nationalities, religions, languages and cultures … people are taught important life skills that help them survive once they leave the (Rio Grande) Valley.”

Accepting the award on behalf of Program Director Zita Telkamp, CDP, who was out of town, was Margaret Mertens, CDP, former Program Director. Sister Margaret’s comments held the room’s attention as she detailed some of the heart-wrenching client experiences she witnessed during her tenure as program director.