As the Managing Attorney for Afghan Legal Services at JFCS East Bay, Sarah Gakenia Cleveland leads a dedicated team providing critical immigration legal support to over 300 Afghan clients. She also oversees the pro bono program, training volunteer attorneys to assist asylum seekers.

Sarah was drawn to JFCS East Bay because of its strong community-centered approach and the genuine care staff show for both clients and colleagues. One of her proudest achievements was seeing her entire team become DOJ Accredited Representatives in 2024—expanding their ability to serve more clients while also creating new career pathways for her team members.

Beyond her work, Sarah loves traveling (27 countries and counting!), exploring new food spots, collecting vinyl records, and hosting friends—especially in the summer.

Thank you, Sarah, for your dedication to our community!