Southeast : Central Los Angeles : Archdiocese Honors Immigrant Aid Group

A group that has been one of Los Angeles’ most vocal advocates for the immigrant community has been awarded the Roman Catholic archdiocese’s top accolade for organizations fighting to empower the poor.

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles will accept the Bishop Carl A. Fisher Empowerment Award on Saturday from the Los Angeles Archdiocese’s Campaign for Human Development.

CHIRLA has been active in defending immigrants’ rights for nine years, and most recently spearheaded opposition to Proposition 187, the anti-immigrant measure opposed by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony. The Westlake-based group will also receive a $40,000 grant from the campaign, which celebrates its 25th year of awarding grants to social justice groups.

“CHIRLA has made a commitment to work with the most marginalized of the marginalized--the day laborers and refugees,” said Thomas Chabolla, executive director of the campaign.

“The idea that they’d give it to us on the 25th anniversary is significant,” said spokeswoman Bobbi Murray. “I think the church is really concerned about the attacks on the human rights of immigrants.”

The campaign will also present grants ranging from $5,000 to $45,000 for 14 causes that run the social justice gamut--from a bus riders’ union to fair-employment housing gadflies--in the neighborhoods of East Los Angeles, South-Central, Westlake and Inglewood, among others.