#GivingTuesday Featured Volunteer
#GivingTuesday Featured Volunteer - Dorinda L. Foster
LiveHelp Volunteer, Student at Syracuse University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management
|
|
is all about giving back to our communities and giving thanks to those who make our work possible. For this year's #GivingTuesday we are highlighting Dorinda Foster, an amazing LiveHelp volunteer in New York. We are so grateful for people like Dorinda who dedicate their own time to helping those who cannot afford an attorney.If you would like to support the work of Dorinda, as well as the rest of our volunteers and programs, please consider making a tax deductible donation at www.probono.net/donate.
Interview with Dorinda L. Foster, LiveHelp NY Volunteer |
|
What kind of pro bono work are you involved in? I am currently involved as a LiveHelp Agent for LawHelp NYHow long have you been volunteering for? When/where did you begin? Yes, I recall connecting with a client who was very concerned about being evicted. I remember providing the visitor with information for resources that will help pay for and get her caught up on her rent. She was so appreciative and I was relieved I was able to do something to assist to have her apprehension subside. Why did you decide to do pro bono volunteer work? The motivation behind my pro bono work is to provide persons who come from unfortunate backgrounds the support they need to go through whatever trial and tribulation they are currently facing. No one should have to face this alone, much less because there is no money to afford a lawyer. So with that, it is important to provide as much legal information as is available to help someone help themself out between a rock and a hard place. Moreover, it is a humbling experience, because anyone can fall from grace, so to speak. It can happen to anyone so it is important to be nice to everyone you meet and help whenever you can. Why were you interested in volunteering? Yes, I learned so much about families, and housing, and information that is available to people who may have previously been oblivious. What would your advice be to someone who is thinking about volunteering? I would wholeheartedly recommend pro bono work to others. As a member of the legal community with my JD, it is crucial that I continue to use my resources, namely my time, to make a difference in the world and help others. What kinds of advice would you offer to someone looking to do some pro bono work? The pro bono service work I have done with LawHelpNY has certainly allowed me to exercise more patience and to listen carefully before reacting, to really take the time to understand what someone is going through before offering help to ensure I am providing that individual with exactly what he or she needs. What surprised you the most about your pro bono experience? What did you find most challenging?
|
|
LawHelpNY's LiveHelp is a live chat program staffed by law students and volunteers who are trained to help New Yorkers navigate the civil court systems and the LawHelp.org site. LiveHelp volunteers do not provide legal advice, but have been trained to assist unrepresented litigants in finding information, forms, and resources on LawHelpNY.org to resolve their legal issues and to refer them to free legal aid where available. LiveHelp is available Monday to Friday 9 AM to 9 PM (Eastern Standard Time). LiveHelp is not available on most holidays. | |
Interested in volunteering? Check out our "Volunteer Tools" page to learn about the range of resources we have at Pro Bono Net to help mobilize and engage pro bono volunteers, or start searching for opportunities right now by using our national Pro Bono Opportunities Guide!