Our Team
Abigail Scholar
Executive Director
Abigail has worked as part of the coordinating committee of the Walla Walla Immigrant Rights Coalition, she is a founding member of the Spokane Immigrant Rights Coalition, the Tri-Cities Immigrant Rights Coalition and is a member of Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network and sits in the steering committee for their bond fund. She is also on the steering committee for All In for Washington and works closely with the ACLU of Washington. She has worked in community organizing for a number of years and she has extensive experience in developing community led programs and supporting leaders within the community to advance capacity building.
Maxwell Olarsch
Lead Attorney
Max is an Immigration Staff Attorney for Central Washington Justice For Our Neighbors and a dedicated public interest lawyer. He was previously a student attorney with the Washington College of Law Disability Rights Law Clinic, where he worked on various issues including special education and language access advocacy. He previously worked for international court systems, and helped provide legal services to refugees in Uganda. He has also spent years researching and studying international and domestic human and civil rights issues. Max Olarsch has a J.D., cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law and a B.A. from the University of Vermont.
Brenda Frias
Lead Immigration Paralegal
Brenda serves as the immigration paralegal at Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors (CWJFON). Her remarkable journey began at Central Washington University (CWU), where she earned a degree in Law and Justice and Political Science. Post-graduation, Brenda's unwavering commitment to making a difference led her to devote her skills and expertise to various private immigration firms in the Tri-cities area, where she continued her dedicated work in support of the immigrant community. As a first-generation immigrant herself, Brenda has consistently shouldered the responsibility of being a steadfast advocate for not only her own family but also for countless others within her sphere of influence. Guided by her passion for justice, Brenda remains resolute in her mission to tirelessly advocate for the rights and well-being of immigrants, ensuring equitable opportunities and a brighter future for those in need.
Tylene Carnell
Executive Consultant