Paralegals can engage in advocacy by cultivating a
relationship with clients so that you better
understand what they need. It can really benefit your
client if you are able to get an
understanding of what they need besides legal assistance.
Some clients may need food
assistance, mental health assistance, assistance finding
a new job, etc. If you’re able to point
them in the direction of programs that are set up
to support them, that can alleviate tons of
stress on your client. Paralegals can also assist
in administrative proceedings, hearings, and
remedies and advocate formally or informally to assist
with finding a resolution.
I have engaged in advocacy with our clients by assisting
them in finding mental health
professionals that can help them with their specific
needs. Some of our clients have been
through traumatic experiences and may not know where
to start looking for help or may not be
able to find affordable help. I’ve been able to accumulate
a list of sources for them. Additionally,
some of our clients just need someone to listen to
their frustrations who has an understanding of
what is going on so I get to be that person; whether
it be a 15 minute call of 2 hour call, it makes
a world of difference for those clients to be able
to say whatever they need to say and know that
it will stay between us. My goal is always to alleviate
whatever unnecessary stress that I can.
Engaging in advocacy is extremely beneficial to every
community. For example, I occasionally
volunteer with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
By working with them, I became educated
with a lot of the food needs in the Chicago area and
I have been able to pass along that
knowledge to friends and family. That knowledge creates
a deeper understanding of people that
we may never come in contact with and encourages people
to donate food, time, or money.
When we are able to keep everyone in our community
fed, the crime rate goes down, children
are able to stay in school, peoples general health
improves, etc. and all of that benefits
everyone. I think the biggest thing is understanding
that just because a problem does not
directly affect you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t indirectly
affect you.
relationship with clients so that you better
understand what they need. It can really benefit your
client if you are able to get an
understanding of what they need besides legal assistance.
Some clients may need food
assistance, mental health assistance, assistance finding
a new job, etc. If you’re able to point
them in the direction of programs that are set up
to support them, that can alleviate tons of
stress on your client. Paralegals can also assist
in administrative proceedings, hearings, and
remedies and advocate formally or informally to assist
with finding a resolution.
I have engaged in advocacy with our clients by assisting
them in finding mental health
professionals that can help them with their specific
needs. Some of our clients have been
through traumatic experiences and may not know where
to start looking for help or may not be
able to find affordable help. I’ve been able to accumulate
a list of sources for them. Additionally,
some of our clients just need someone to listen to
their frustrations who has an understanding of
what is going on so I get to be that person; whether
it be a 15 minute call of 2 hour call, it makes
a world of difference for those clients to be able
to say whatever they need to say and know that
it will stay between us. My goal is always to alleviate
whatever unnecessary stress that I can.
Engaging in advocacy is extremely beneficial to every
community. For example, I occasionally
volunteer with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
By working with them, I became educated
with a lot of the food needs in the Chicago area and
I have been able to pass along that
knowledge to friends and family. That knowledge creates
a deeper understanding of people that
we may never come in contact with and encourages people
to donate food, time, or money.
When we are able to keep everyone in our community
fed, the crime rate goes down, children
are able to stay in school, peoples general health
improves, etc. and all of that benefits
everyone. I think the biggest thing is understanding
that just because a problem does not
directly affect you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t indirectly
affect you.
