About Us

Leadership

Our team, from the Board of Directors to volunteers, includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and skills. We all work together to assist clients, students, and the community.

Nuestro equipo, desde la junta directiva hasta los voluntarios, incluye personas con diversos antecedentes y habilidades. Todos trabajamos juntos para ayudar a los clientes, los estudiantes y la comunidad.

Board of Directors

Staff

Our Mission

"To assist, motivate, and empower immigrants and their families to obtain U. S. citizenship"

Staff

We are accredited to assist Legal Permanent Residents on their path to citizenship. Our team consists of four compassionate and passionate Hispanic bilingual women committed to serving the community. With a wealth of experience in the nonprofit sector and customer service, we bring immigration services to those in need. Each of us adds a unique spark to the table, making our work fulfilling, enjoyable, and ensuring the best service for our community members.

Founder and Legal Director

Norma Gallegos

Formally launched by World Relief Spokane, in June 2015 became accredited Federally by the Department of Justice through the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Has a passion and love for serving immigrants from all countries and backgrounds on the North Central Washington area. Believes that we all have equal participation in learning from each other valuing multiple cultures. With many years of education and experience with the DOJ, Norma brings a well rounded community service to our valley and families.

Executive Director

Dr. Faviola Barbosa

Dr. Faviola Barbosa is a dedicated leader with over 18 years of experience in Washington State’s Community & Technical Colleges system, where she has worked to expand access and opportunities for diverse student populations. Most recently, she served as the executive director of the Washington Apple Education Foundation, leading efforts to provide scholarships to students with ties to the tree fruit industry. On March 1, 2025, she began her new role as executive director of Hand in Hand Immigration Services, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals on their path to citizenship—a mission that resonates deeply with her, especially after witnessing her own father become a U.S. citizen through the organization in the fall of 2024. Inspired by his success, she felt called to lead the organization that helped transform his life. Born in Mexico and raised in Orondo, Washington, she is a first-generation Latinx whose personal journey fuels her passion for education, equity, and community empowerment. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family, including her two adult children and grandson.

Legal Assistant

Alejandra Rodriguez

Started as a volunteer with Hand in Hand, and in the last five years she has grown in our organization into the Legal Assistant. She is the bridge between Norma and our clients as they prepare to meet with Norma in their citizenship journey.

Program Receptionist

Carla Sarabia

Our new receptionist is a friendly, caring staff member ready to great you in person or via phone. A Leavenworth community member with experience in helping clients in day to day questions. Carla has worked with Sage and with her father at their family business.

Board of Directors

Hand in Hand's Board of Directors is composed of community members with diverse professional skills, cultural backgrounds, and personal experiences. We are always looking for passionate individuals committed to our mission.

La Mesa Directiva de Hand in Hand está compuesta por miembros de la comunidad con diversas habilidades profesionales, antecedentes culturales y experiencias personales. Siempre estamos buscando personas apasionadas y comprometidas con nuestra misión.

Joe Morrison Hand in Hand Interim President and Secretary

Secretary & Interim President

Board Member

Joe Morrison

Joe is an attorney with Columbia Legal Services and has volunteered teaching citizenship classes since 2013. He started out teaching classes at the First United Methodist Church for several years after Hand in Hand joined with the church to expand its Latino Ministry and has returned to teaching classes at FUMC. He has been on the board since 2018.

Vice President

Board Member

Ruth Macias

Ruth has served on many local boards including a term as President of the NCW Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from 2010-2012. She has been a real estate broker with Windermere since 2012 and is a certified Spanish interpreter. Ruth also serves on the Real Estate Commission. She has served on the board since 2019.

Treasurer

Board Member

Steve Robinson

Steve is a retired Newspaper Executive and former Executive Director of Pybus Public Market. He is a graduate of Washington State University and Gonzaga Law School. He has been with the board since early 2020.

Board Member

Chuck Strawn

Chuck is long-time supporter of immigrant rights and the work of Hand in Hand. He’s been an active member of the First United Methodist Church serving on the Board of Trustees and has fully supported the church’s long-standing Latino Ministry that has offered ESL and citizenship classes to the community for years. Chuck has operated his own landscaping design company in the Valley for over 35 years.

Board Member

Levi Vega-Sanchez

Levi passionately supports Hand in Hand Immigration's mission to convert citizenship dreams into reality for those in our community. Levi serves as the Program Director for the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at Wenatchee Valley College. He is a bilingual first-generation graduate with a heart for serving underrepresented communities. Levi is an alumnus from Washington State University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and is currently working on completing his Master's degree in Education through Eastern Washington University. Born and raised in Chelan, Washington and a son of migrant workers, Levi recognizes the hardship and adversity that underrepresented communities face in the immigration system and in their attempt to become U.S. citizens.

Board Member

Xavier Arinez

Xavier has been an active participant in a number of Boards for non-profits, both locally and internationally. The two other current involvement are the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation in Wenatchee and Genesis Center, based out of Providence RI. A current CVCH Population Health Director, has many years of Board experience which also includes experience from previous careers. As a COO/CEO of some of his recent past employers he was in charge of directing, guiding, informing, training, keeping compliance, auditing and developing different board committees and agendas. As a COO, he was a key member of the BOD with Community Health Centers on the East Coast.

Board Member

Dr. Christine J. Morgan

Christine is passionate about advancing intercultural understanding in a thriving and connected community. She joined Hand in Hand Immigration Services’ Board of Directors to serve members of our community as they strive to realize their dream of becoming U.S. citizens. From personal experience, she is a strong believer in the power of citizenship because it allows all individuals to be fully giving, engaged, and secure in the communities where they live and work.

An immigrant from Denmark, Christine became a U.S. citizen through Hand in Hand Immigration Services’ naturalization ceremony at Snowy Owl Theater alongside new citizens
from 8 different countries of origin. It changed her life.

Her career has been in non-profits, higher education, private industry, and philanthropy.
Christine is an enthusiastic member of the Leavenworth Rotary Club and Youth Exchange Program and the Steering Committee for Día de los Reyes in Leavenworth.

Maria Isenburg Hand in Hand Board Member

In Memoriam

Former Board Member

Maria Isenburg

In loving memory for her dedication to Hand in Hand Immigration. She became involved with Hand in Hand in 2016 until 2023.

About Us

Leadership

Our Mission

Staff

Board of Directors

Annual Reports

IRS Forms 990