When people ask why I volunteer to help immigrant clients through Oak Park’s Pro Bono Network, the answer is simple: helping others is why I became an attorney in the first place.
Giving my professional time to immigrant clients not only helps a vulnerable population, but the work is incredibly impactful and rewarding. Working with immigrant clients is about meeting people where they are in life, in moments of deep uncertainty, and helping them navigate complex legal requirements so they are able to move forward with more confidence and support.
The individuals and families I meet are part of the fabric of our communities. They are parents working hard to support their children, neighbors building new lives, and people who care deeply about stability and opportunity. Sitting down with them, hearing their stories, and helping them navigate a system that can be difficult to understand is both humbling and inspiring.
What strikes me most is my clients’ resilience. Many of the people seeking help are balancing work, family responsibilities, and the challenge of learning a new system all at once. Yet they show an incredible determination to create a better future for themselves and their loved ones.
Volunteering in this space also reminds me how powerful a small act of support can be. Often the most meaningful thing an attorney can offer is time: listening carefully, answering questions, and helping someone feel seen during a stressful and uncertain process.
If you are interested in learning more about the experiences of volunteer attorneys and the ways in which our community supports access to justice, I invite you to join Pro Bono Network’s Justice Talks Lunch & Learn on March 26, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. This event will be held at the Oak Park Public Library’s Main Branch on Lake Street, and we will hear from four Pro Bono Network volunteer attorneys, sharing their stories firsthand and explaining how people across our community are coming together to help one another. The event includes lunch and is free of charge, but does require an RSVP: https://www.pbnetwork.org/justice-talks
Laura Hardwicke
River Forest