Recognizing Manasi Khedlekar: A Pillars of Change Honoree

Manasi was first introduced to Sanctuary for Families’ incredible Immigration Intervention Project (IIP) by our Immigration Specialist, Anne-Cecile Raphael. Manasi was quickly onboarded to work with Anne-Cecile as a Hindi interpreter and translator, supporting one client for over a year. The Immigration Intervention Project provides immigrant clients with legal services that allow them to obtain legal immigration status, permanent resident status, or citizenship. The project represents clients in immigration law proceedings, including battered spouse waiver applications, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases, U-Visas, T-visas, and asylum applications. IIP takes steps to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of the diverse body of clients we represent, and Manasi helped the team do just that – and more!

Manasi recalls her time working as an interpreter, stating “It was daunting to be someone’s voice. The process of gaining a client’s trust, knowing their darkest and most vulnerable moments isn’t easy, and I feel very grateful that I got a chance to participate in an experience that has a positive outcome for the client. Working closely with the Immigration Intervention Project helped me see how much work is done behind the scenes and how government policies that are shaped at a higher level translate to real consequences for people.”

Manasi was an incredible asset to the team and was essential to the success of this difficult case. The client was traumatized, had undergone years of horrendous violence and simply did not trust anyone. Manasi met with the client weekly for months, bringing with her trauma-informed and tactful support. Manasi’s professional experience as a psychologist proved invaluable in her support to this client, and thanks to her involvement, the IIP team was able to build trust with the client and help prepare for the case. Anne-Cecile recalls that having Manasi as a team member made an immense difference not only for the client’s case which ultimately prevailed in November of last year but for the client personally.

“Every time we volunteer, every act of kindness we participate in, we make a statement about the world we want to live in. As a parent, as a human being, I think that’s the most important thing I can teach my kids. I want to thank Sanctuary again for the incredible work they are doing, and Anne-Cecile, and Pooja (Director, Immigration Intervention Project) for being the absolutely formidable team that they are, and for scoring a point for the good guys.” ~ Manasi

We thank Manasi for her amazing commitment to Sanctuary’s staff and clients! Her impact reaches well beyond what can be captured in words.