Immigrant Advocacy Group Secures New Space In East Hampton

EAST HAMPTON, NY — An immigrant advocacy organization has acquired new space in East Hampton.

According to Minerva Perez, executive director of Organización Latino-Americana of Eastern Long Island, OLA has new office space in East Hampton village at the intersection of Newtown and Main Street.

To avoid incurring added office expenses for rent during the first three years of her tenure, Perez said she chose to work from home while still collaborating partners across the East End.

"I always managed to find a place to meet and to work," she said. But, she added, "Now that we have a dedicated human rights attorney, it is time to have an appropriate space for an advocacy office.”

The office, she added, will be a place to hold conferences with lawyers, train volunteers, meet with community members to determine proper referrals, and, in rare cases, directly represent clients who have complaints including wage theft or other issues.

Andrew Strong, OLA’s full-time attorney, will predominantly work from the new space, along with an administrative assistant, yet to be hired, Perez said. The funding for the office comes from individual donations as well as private foundations, she said.

Individuals wishing to meet with OLA representatives can call 631-899-3441; the office is not a walk-in facility and all consultations are by appointment only.

Patch file photo courtesy Minerva Perez.