Omid Advocates for Human RightsBackground and Mission
The mission of Omid Advocates for Human Rights is to promote, advance and represent the human, legal and civil rights of Middle Eastern communities in the United States and in the Diaspora. Recognizing that social, economic, political and racial inequalities continue to exist in the United States, Omid Advocates is committed to the pursuit of equality and justice for all sectors of our society with a specific focus directed toward addressing the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community. As a community organization, we are committed to providing a safe space where Middle Eastern families can access services, meet, and hold activities. We seek to improve our collective capacity to address our immediate and long term needs as Iranians and as part of a multi-ethnic Middle Eastern community, through organizing, advocacy, and service. Our goal is to deepen our understanding of our history and culture as Iranians and as part of the Middle Eastern community, and heighten our consciousness of our civil and human rights. We are dedicated to building civic participation and grassroots leadership, and to strengthen our commitment and responsibility to each other, our community, and the larger society. OMID Advocates is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible. |
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Founding Board
Nancy Hormachea has been practicing immigration law in the Bay Area for more than 25 years. She has served as a board member on several grassroots organizations involved in defending and advocating for the rights of immigrant communities. Nancy was one of the founding organizers of the San Francisco Immigrant Legal & Education Network [SFILEN] which provides pro bono immigration services and advocacy for SF immigrant communities. She has been active in defending the rights of Arabs, Muslims and other targeted by the government after 9/11. In her private law practice, Nancy specializes in asylum cases and has worked extensively with immigrant women fleeing persecution, domestic violence or trafficking. In 2003 Nancy was honored as a Outstanding Woman by the City of Berkeley for her exceptional work on behalf of immigrant women.
Mina Litvak currently practices immigration law in Berkeley, California and is the Program Director and Staff Attorney for Omid Advocates for Human Rights. As Director of the Refugee Legal Assistance Program, Ms. Litvak represents Iranian refugees before the UNHCR in Turkey and Iraq. Ms. Litvak heads national and international advocacy for Iranian refugees. She was a primary organizer of the International Fact-Finding and Humanitarian Delegation to Turkey to advocate on behalf of recent Iranian refugees. Ms. Litvak has also co-authored a report on Iranian refugees in Turkey directed at mobilizing national efforts to expedite Iranian refugees’ resettlement to third countries. Ms. Litvak has carried out community work in various countries, including work with internally displaced indigenous communities in Nicaragua and Tibetan refugees in India. While attending the University of San Francisco School of Law, Mina focused on International and Comparative Law and was a 2008 Frank C. Newman International Human Rights Fellow, advocating for women’s rights in Iran, global juvenile justice, and Tibetan self-determination at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
Darya N. was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to the U.S. in 1991. She attended Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey with a scholarship where she graduated with a B.S. in biology with honors. Subsequent to graduating from college, Darya worked as a researcher concentrated in the area of Lupus. She attended Santa Clara University School of Law while working full time at various law firms and companies. She has an important cross-cultural perspective and her experiences as a Middle Eastern woman and immigrant motivated her to pursue a career in law so she could help others.
Mina Litvak currently practices immigration law in Berkeley, California and is the Program Director and Staff Attorney for Omid Advocates for Human Rights. As Director of the Refugee Legal Assistance Program, Ms. Litvak represents Iranian refugees before the UNHCR in Turkey and Iraq. Ms. Litvak heads national and international advocacy for Iranian refugees. She was a primary organizer of the International Fact-Finding and Humanitarian Delegation to Turkey to advocate on behalf of recent Iranian refugees. Ms. Litvak has also co-authored a report on Iranian refugees in Turkey directed at mobilizing national efforts to expedite Iranian refugees’ resettlement to third countries. Ms. Litvak has carried out community work in various countries, including work with internally displaced indigenous communities in Nicaragua and Tibetan refugees in India. While attending the University of San Francisco School of Law, Mina focused on International and Comparative Law and was a 2008 Frank C. Newman International Human Rights Fellow, advocating for women’s rights in Iran, global juvenile justice, and Tibetan self-determination at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
Darya N. was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to the U.S. in 1991. She attended Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey with a scholarship where she graduated with a B.S. in biology with honors. Subsequent to graduating from college, Darya worked as a researcher concentrated in the area of Lupus. She attended Santa Clara University School of Law while working full time at various law firms and companies. She has an important cross-cultural perspective and her experiences as a Middle Eastern woman and immigrant motivated her to pursue a career in law so she could help others.
