Rutgers-Newark graduate Karina Avila works to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, including victims of human trafficking, find safety and justice.
One focus of her job as an advocate with Community Affairs and Resource Center (CARC) in Monmouth County is serving as a bridge between law enforcement and immigrant crime victims, many of whom are women and children suffering from trauma and fear. She guides them through an often intimidating and confusing legal system.
“I help people who don’t know the way things work–even though some things are designed to help them–I help them access what they need,’’ she said.
Avila, who graduated Summa Cum Laude in May with a degree from the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA), knows that protecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable, increases public safety for all.
“You might say, ‘I don’t want immigrants here,’ but most people won’t say, ‘I support domestic violence,’” she explained. “By leaving out the immigrant community, you’re leaving out a vital piece of the people you serve.”
Avila’s time at Rutgers-Newark equipped her with the skills to make a difference and inspired her plans to earn a law degree. She credits both SPAA and the Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC) with instilling the belief that knowledge gained from a childhood helping immigrant family members was important, not just for herself but for the betterment of society.
“I never thought higher education was accessible to me, but I felt seen,” she said. “My academic record was important, but so was my real-world experience. What I brought to the table added value to the class and to discussions. It helped me see the value of what I’ve done.’’
“Being able to build upon your passion is really important, and SPAA made that possible,” she added. “Everything I did was to amplify my impact. Why not have your work for class also work for your community?”
Avila grew up in Monmouth County speaking both English and Spanish and often found herself translating for her parents, who immigrated from Mexico. “It was second nature to advocate for myself,” she said. “I was the one doing all the research.”
Her childhood was marked by economic hardship. “My mom did her best to work. My dad supported the family. My role was to be the second parent and babysit my sisters,” she recalled. “Having that responsibility at a young age can define you.”
While working multiple jobs after high school, Avila volunteered at the U.S - Mexican border to help migrants, which drove her to seek out non-profit organizations in New Jersey with a similar mission.
She joined the Latin American Legal Defense Fund (LALDEF), where she worked as a partially accredited representative through a Department of Justice (DOJ) program that enabled her to provide direct legal representation to immigrants. She earned an associates degree in Political Science from Brookdale Community College. She also received a certificate in medical and judicial interpretation through Brookdale’s continuing education program.
At Rutgers-Newark, Avila found support as a transfer student while continuing to work full time and volunteer with the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT). Her on-the-job experience led her to pursue a career path in non-profit organizations.
“I witnessed firsthand the vital role nonprofits play in fostering resilience and supporting marginalized communities,’’ said Avila, who hopes to become a staff attorney at an established nonprofit that supports immigrants or found her own organization.
Although this is a troubling time for immigrants in America, Avila believes they will endure.
“That is where community and grassroots really shine and we feel the importance of building community,’’ she said. “When you can build networks that keep people safe, when it’s all over, that’s what will remain. Part of what we don’t realize is these communities are resilient, it’s not the first round, it’s not the second. Many have been here for 20 to 30 years. It’s a scary thing to have everything you worked for ripped apart, but the things you’ve learned don’t go away.’’
