Ten years ago, Eric Spengler took on his first pro bono case with Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (Advocacy Center). Through a Continuing Legal Education program, he learned about the wave of unaccompanied minors entering the U.S. and felt compelled to help—and that’s how he met Jonathan.

Jonathan was just 13 when he arrived in Charlotte from Honduras with his cousin. His mother, who had him at a young age, had left years earlier to build a better future in the U.S. Jonathan’s father was not a part of his life, and he was raised by his grandmother in Honduras—until she was tragically murdered, leaving him alone. With nowhere else to turn, he made the journey to reunite with his mother in Charlotte.

Eric worked closely with Jonathan, listening to his story, and guiding him through the complex immigration process. Over two years, Eric helped him secure Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), a U.S. immigration classification that allows certain young people who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected to obtain immigration status and become lawful permanent residents.

Eric first secured a custody order in favor of Jonathan’s mother in Charlotte, finding that Jonathan had no viable options for adequate care in his home country of Honduras. He then represented Jonathan in immigration court, a process that resulted in the termination of removal proceedings against Jonathan. When Jonathan received his green card in 2017, it marked the start of a new chapter. After five years, Jonathan became eligible for U.S. citizenship, and Eric is now helping him prepare a citizenship application.

But the legal case was just the beginning. Over the past decade, Eric has remained a mentor and friend. The two meet up regularly to catch up over a meal at L’Empira restaurant. Eric was there to celebrate when Jonathan started his career in the construction industry, specializing in roofing and HVAC work. Jonathan’s also found a strong support system in his church community. Whenever Jonathan faces challenges, he knows he can turn to Eric for guidance.

Eric credits his mother for instilling in him the value of being a good neighbor—she was the one who shoveled sidewalks for others and welcomed a widowed neighbor for regular Sunday dinners. That spirit of service stayed with him and has shaped his commitment to helping immigrants find stability and opportunity.

A decade after his first case, Eric considers his work with Jonathan the most rewarding part of being a lawyer. So much so that he recently signed up with the Advocacy Center’s Pro Bono Program to help another young person—another teenager from Honduras, beginning his own journey toward a brighter future.