About Us
Our Story
In 2013, Allegheny Center Alliance Church (ACAC) reached out to serve the refugee population in Pittsburgh’s Northside. Out of the community’s need for immigration legal services, several volunteers began providing limited pro-bono legal advice under the umbrella of Christian Legal Aid (CLA).
Recognizing the overwhelming need for comprehensive low-cost legal representation, several volunteers began the long process of filing for Department of Justice Recognition and Accreditation, which CIAC received in May of 2018.
The following month, CIAC received its 501(c)3 status and accepted its seed funding from its parent organization.
Since August of 2018, CIAC has been providing low-cost, comprehensive legal care to those in need.
Our Mission
Provide high-quality legal services in a compassionate, incarnational, and culturally-appropriate way and empower churches to serve their sojourner neighbors well through collaborative partnerships.
Our Vision
Advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ by loving refugees and immigrants, and enabling churches to welcome their sojourner neighbors.
Meet Our Team
Rogerio Torres
Ministry Director
Amber Blair
Executive Director
Chelsy Gevas
Senior Staff Attorney
Jessica Weaver
Senior Accredited Rep.
Soraya Torres
Intake/Paralegal Specialist
Rosa Alvarez
Accredited Rep.
Hwan Palmer
Accredited Rep.
Kathy Molnar
Admin Assistant
. . . every once in a while, in the lives of individuals, neighborhoods, cities or human organizations, something happens — something is founded — which is wholly necessary and wholly good. CIAC is such an event, and such an organization.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
It may be a small organization, but the Christian Immigration Advocacy Center (CIAC), located in Pittsburgh’s Northside, does big work.
Ashlee Green
Northside Chronicle