TESTIMONIALS
The testimonials here are a sample of some of the true stories of the many clients and families we've been able to help at BENNU. Names have been changed to respect anonymity.

Domestic Violence Victim Finds Freedom
Paula was raped when she was 7 months pregnant. Although Illinois does not recognize common-law marriage, she was in a committed relationship for years with the father of her two children. He started beating her, and at first she was afraid to report the abuse because of her questionable immigration status. Paula felt trapped. Another time, he strangled her until she lost consciousness. Even after she fled, he stalked her despite a court restraining order. With BENNU’s support Paula freed her American Dream. She escaped the nightmare of abuse by legalizing, and now has legal permission to work. Paula is excited that in three years she will be eligible for legal permanent residency (a "green card"). Meanwhile, she is working and improving her English in preparation.

Entrepreneur Grows Business & Creates Jobs
After working for many years in the United States on a foreign worker visa for a Japanese company, Frank wanted to start his own travel agency business. He did not have a clue where to start, or if there was a way for him to legally stay and work in the United States with his own business. BENNU supported Frank’s American Dream by guiding him in setting up his own business and successfully petitioning for a visa through his new company. He is now legally authorized to run and work for his business, and he is actively helping to create American jobs and to bring tourists to visit the United States for sightseeing and shopping. Not only did BENNU help Frank to create his company, it helped him to expand by purchasing another business, as well as to maintain his corporate registration.

Son United with Family
Eduardo entered into the United States when he was only 17 years old, escaping the calamity in El Salvador. Through four previous attorneys, he tried to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Those attempts were unsuccessful. Instead, in 2004 removal (formerly called deportation) proceedings were initiated, despite one of his parents becoming a US citizen and suffering from a medical disability. More than five years passed while his case continued from one hearing to another. BENNU went to court and successfully argued for Eduardo to be allowed to remain in the United States. Eduardo continues to work, and takes English and computer classes to support his American Dream.

Victim of Abuse Able to Stay a Mother
In 2000, Heather came to the United States from Korea on a tourist visa. During her 6-month stay, she started seeing and fell in love with a US citizen. She stayed after her period of stay expired. She later learned that he was married. He fathered a child with her and promised to divorce his first wife soon. Instead, he began to abuse Heather, both mentally and physically, over a two-year period. Eventually, the abuse reached the point where Heather went to the emergency room. From the hospital, she called the police. Heather dreamed of remaining in the United States legally so that she could take care of her daughter. BENNU helped Heather to be a loving parent with daily interaction with her child. Heather is now able to work and be self-sufficient.

Trapped by Husband, Now Living in Freedom
Mary and her husband (a "green card" holder) have six children. Sadly, he viciously and repeatedly beat Mary, and threatened to have her deported if she reported the abuse. With no immigration status, she could not work or drive. Although able, her husband refused to work. He also denied Mary access to the bank accounts, forcing her to feed the children on food stamps. Even in the cold of winter, she had to walk to the store for groceries. Mary felt trapped, helpless and hopeless. With BENNU’s help, Mary turned her American nightmare into an American Dream. She obtained legal permission to work, a valid social security number and a driver’s license. Mary now takes English classes and works full time. The family no longer needs food stamps. She and the children escaped the abuse and no longer live in terror. They are free and safe now.

SKILL Training Leads to New Career Opportunities
Anna works as a waitress during the morning. She enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes so that she could convince her boss at the restaurant to schedule her for the busier, more lucrative lunch/dinner shifts. Anna first learned about BENNU when the agency’s legal staff visited her ESL class to explain immigration-related topics, like how to apply for citizenship. Then, a few weeks later Anna’s ESL instructor told the class of a unique opportunity to learn more about office environments through BENNU’s SKILL Program. After a few weeks in the SKILL Program learning and practicing office skills, Anna gained a lot of confidence. She learned telephone etiquette, and gained experience with a customer relations management database as well as translating. Anna also enjoyed seeing the camaraderie among BENNU’s staff members. She decided she liked office environments. She discussed her personal and professional goals at one of her SKILL classes, and she decided to seek a job in an office where she could use her bilingual skills to help her company!

Waitress Becomes Office Administrator Through Service Learning
Sue is a world traveler, but she got stuck. Originally from Thailand, her family moved around the globe as her father served at various diplomatic posts. While completing her undergraduate degree in Political Science, she began waitressing. She graduated with Minors in History and in Southeast Asian Studies. The job market was tight, so she continued serving diners. After a time, she returned to school while working at the restaurant. She started interviewing when her Master degree was nearly completed, but she had no experience other than in food service. She learned about BENNU’s unique service-learning volunteer program, and decided to sign up. Over the next 2-3 months, Sue dedicated herself to helping BENNU make a difference in the lives of individuals and families, all the while gaining valuable experience in a professional setting. BENNU wrote a letter of recommendation for her, and she got a job nearby as an office administrator.

An American Dream Saved from Bureaucratic Mistake
A lawful permanent resident ("green card" holder) for more than 10 years, Kristine from South Africa went to renew her driver’s license. The clerk asked if she would like to register to vote, but Kristine conscientiously said that she could not, because she was not a US citizen. The clerk informed her that did not matter; she could register. Relying on the word of this government official, Kristine registered. Several weeks later, she proudly participated in our County’s democracy by voting. Kristine’s American Dream was to naturalize, to become a fellow citizen to her husband, Jim, the son of American missionaries abroad. Kristine filed a citizenship application, and at her citizenship interview she handily passed the American history and civics exam. When the officer asked if she had ever registered to vote, Kristine proudly admitted that she had already experienced that honor. She was shocked when the officer told that her she had done something horrible and that her application would be denied. Still reeling, Kristine went home and immediately wrote to request removal of her name from the voter roll. Then, she received a Notice to Appear in Immigration Court for removal from the United States for committing perjury by registering to vote. Kristine entrusted BENNU with her American Dream. Although it took a lot of hard work and patience, the court case was dismissed and the denial of her citizenship application reversed. Today, Kristine works at a church, and her children proudly have both a mother and a father who are US citizens.

Consultion Leads to Formation of New Non-Profit
Bob saw the downsizing at his company as an opportunity. He worked at a large corporation for his entire career, but he dreamed of starting his own business. He learned about BENNU from a resource list distributed at the Small Business Development Center and made an appointment to consult with an attorney. The attorney explained the differences between a Sub S corporation and an LLC, and then listened carefully to Bob. He suggested that, given Bob’s mission of recycling computers and offering computer training to bridge the technology gap, Bob start a nonprofit company. Bob agreed, and he is seeing his efforts yield fruit. And BENNU became one of his first customers! Meanwhile, Bob served as a volunteer instructor about computers in BENNU’s SKILL Program.

Educational Leader Pledges Support to BENNU
When Charles graduated from Oberlin College and was accepted to Harvard’s Master of Education program, he already knew he wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. After completing a second Master’s degree—this one on the opposite coast at Stanford—he joined a large public high school to coordinate a college readiness program that prepares first-generation college students from traditionally underrepresented populations for admission to and success at four-year colleges. One of the attorneys at BENNU invited him to learn more about the work BENNU does. Charles attended the event, and decided then and there to make a financial pledge to BENNU. He and his students have also volunteered to lead a SKILL Program session about confidence and goal setting. Says Charles to BENNU, "I am eager to stay in touch with you. Immigrants in Lake County are lucky to have someone with your heart and integrity putting up the good fight."