Now that the week is over, it shocks me to think that four weeks have already passed. In some ways, I feel like this fellowship just begun, and I am still getting used to my placement and all the opportunities I can to contribute to such a great and necessary organization; in other ways, though, I do feel like have settled in well and am able to grasp what good can come out of this fellowship—not just in what I can learn and gain from my placement, but also hopefully what I can give and offer to Legal Aid’s work and mission.

              Of course, I am very aware that I am not able to provide directly to Legal Aid’s mission, as I, an undergraduate student, have no training, experience, or even much knowledge of legal work; however, despite what I lack in ability and experience, I find joy and satisfaction from the little ways in which I can help. I have long believed in paying one’s dues before one can claim to make meaningful waves in pursuit of a cause, whatever it could be, so I hope I can slowly learn and develop while I work and assist with the organization.

              This is not to say, however, that I have not been given the opportunity to engage in some interesting and necessary work. In reality, I am happy to say I have gotten to enjoy helping in some new projects within the development team, such as kickstarting our new donor and board member spotlight series, researching and assisting in grant applications, and now building a bank of important and noteworthy client stories, which, once completed, will be of use to the entire organization in promoting the work that LASCO does to donors, potential clients, pro-bono attorneys, and the public in general. This will be a large project, as Legal Aid takes so many clients that even the most interesting stories can get lost in the vast database once forgotten around the office. I am excited and grateful to be a part of it.on.

        Gus