Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund names new leader

Cecilia Jiménez-Weeast has been named the new executive director of the Trenton-based Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Jiménez-Weeast, who immigrated to the United States from El Salvador more than 30 years ago, previously worked as the director of the Latinas Unidas English language literacy program at the Princeton YWCA for many years.

Lorraine Goodman, who served at the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund’s interim executive director during the search for a new leader, will stay on as the organization’s associate director of development and communications. She became the interim executive director after Dina Paulson-McEwen left the organization.

The Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund’s mission is to promote the rights of all immigrants, with a focus on the Latin American community in the Mercer County area. The organization works to facilitate access to health care, education, and legal representation. The nonprofit also advocates for the integration of immigrants into the community and works to foster intercultural communication.

“I’m thrilled to join the dedicated team of LALDEF to continue their commitment to providing
vital services to the immigrant community of Mercer County,” said Jiménez-Weeast.