UMass Chan human rights program achieves non-profit status
New England Council Member, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, recently celebrated its student-run Human Rights and Asylum Program for achieving nonprofit status.
Formerly known as the Worcester Asylum Clinic, the student organization has connected over 100 asylum seekers with affiliated forensic medical examiners since 2020. Immigration lawyers utilize the physical and psychological results from these examinations to corroborate their clients’ stories in court. According to program leaders, these results are crucial for giving a fuller picture of a client’s experience.
Through its faculty coordination, the student-run group has become officially affiliated with UMass Chan, which unlocks future funding opportunities for the program’s development.
“Receiving nonprofit status through our affiliation with UMass Chan makes us eligible for more grants and other funding. The formal status will help solidify us in the Worcester community and build more partnerships with other organizations that are serving the same population. Moving forward, we will be an established resource that people know to go to for asylum seekers who are looking for services,” said Dylan Rice, the clinic’s director of operations and a rising second-year medical student.
The New England Council would like to congratulate UMass Chan and the Human Rights and Asylum Program for this achievement.
Read more on the UMass Chan webpage.