WASHINGTON, D.C., June 8, 2012 The Equal Rights Center (ERC)—a national non-profit civil rights organization—announced today the promotion of Stephanie Gonzalez to be the organization’s Immigrant Rights Program Manager.

“The Equal Rights Center is very pleased to appoint a new leader to our Immigrant Rights Program, Stephanie Gonzalez,” said Don Kahl, Executive Director of the ERC. “Stephanie has been an integral part of the program as a Program Coordinator, and her abilities, experience, and passion for immigrant rights make her the perfect choice to now lead our IRP.”

Gonzalez will lead the ERC’s efforts to end discrimination and advance civil rights for immigrant communities in the District and across the nation. Furthering the ERC’s mission through a multifaceted approach, she will be responsible for developing and coordinating education and outreach initiatives, research, testing, and investigations. Through a Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, she will also ensure that the ERC provides immigrant-rights focused education and outreach in the languages most commonly spoken by immigrant communities in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

“I have been continually inspired by the work the ERC is doing in immigrant communities. I am excited to have the opportunity to lead the ERC’s immigrant rights work to raise awareness and make a difference in lives of diverse immigrant communities across the country,” said Gonzalez.

Prior to joining the ERC, Gonzalez served as the Social Services Senior Case Manager in the Anti-Human Trafficking Program at Ayuda, a D.C. based immigrant rights organization. She was also a bilingual Domestic Violence Intake Specialist for both Survivors and Advocates For Empowerment, Inc., and Women Empowered Against Violence. Gonzalez holds an M.A. in International Politics with a concentration in Human Rights from American University, and a B.A. from the University of California at San Diego. She is fluent in both Spanish and Italian.

About the Equal Rights Center (www.equalrightscenter.org)
Originally formed in 1983, the Equal Rights Center (ERC) is a national non-profit civil rights organization based in Washington, D.C. With members located in every state and the District of Columbia, the ERC works nationally to promote equal opportunity in housing, employment, disability rights, immigrant rights, and access to public accommodations and government services for all protected classes under federal, state, and local laws.