So Long, Farewell...

To Volunteers and MVLP staff:

I wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to work for such a great organization and with some amazing people.

The volunteers and I in my nine months here:

• Served approximately 815 clients,
• Delivered information to almost 50 organizations and coalitions through clinics, luncheons, heath fairs,
• Assisted approximately 322 clients at 15 clinics, and
  
• Contacted nearly 5,500 attorneys for recruitment purposes

In my short tenure here at MVLP, I have learned so much about so many things. I loved my job here! It was a job that came along at a time in my life when I needed it to for whatever reasons and for so many of them. I have learned so much about the practice of law, public interest work, and people.

I will say that if I learned anything during my time at MVLP, I learned about people. From how wonderful and giving people are, how open some peoples minds are, how many people need so much, and how absorbent the minds of law students are.

I would have missed out on meeting a lot of people without this job. I have learned that everyone can touch someone's life without having to go out of their way. It doesn't take a lot of something to make a huge impact--especially when you are dealing with the justice system.

Cheers (following suit),
Tami

A New Season is Here

Greetings All,

A new season is here which means changes, obstacles, and new experiences await. For me, the change is the loss of Tami Munsch from the MVLP, someone who has made my volunteer experience memorable. The obstacles are three challenging comprehensive law school exams I have next week. The new experiences...well, I am unsure what awaits me???!!!?!? :-)

I would like to wish Tami tremendous success in all her future pursuits :-) Not to make a scene or anything but one quality I admire most of you (Tami) is your ability to motivate and inspire. I never met anyone so creative and so dedicated to the objectives of an organization. From you, I take a greater understanding of the importance of pro bono work on behalf of low-income persons. Good luck to all my classmates preparing for your examinations. I pray we all excel this semester! To the staff at the MVLP, thank you for embracing me with such open arms. I look forward to the next few weeks of volunteerism. To everyone, enjoy the Christmas/New Year Holiday!!!!!!

Cheers,

Katrell

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

I am getting ready for Thanksgiving which means studying for my final exams of the fall semester of my second year of law school. I will be stuffing my stomach with turkey and my head with legalese.

Fall traditionally is a time of change and this year is no exception. Tami is leaving MVLP at the end of November and she will be missed. She has touched the lives of so many during her term at MVLP. She has brought hope and help to the underprivileged in our community. Tami has been an inspiration to those of us law students that aspire to make a positive difference in the world. She has provided not only guidance on how to practice public interest law but the opportunity to get real experience in the field.

The Public Interest Law Group at Mississippi College School of Law has benefited so much from our relationship with the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project. It is my sincere hope that the partnering of law students with an eye towards public interest and MVLP will continue long after I have moved on.

I recently accepted an internship with the Mississippi Center for Justice for the summer of 2008. My service with MVLP was a big factor in this opportunity being made available. Now, during this Thanksgiving week, I would like to say that I feel so grateful for the wonderful things happening in my life. I pray that my actions reflect the blessings that have been so freely given to me.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Fall Vols

The new school year brought new volunteers into the MVLP office. We still have a few SumVols in and out. Ashley comes in on Mondays for Legal Line; Brad comes in on Fridays for Legal Line and helps with clinics on some weekends.

We had a Health Fair/Clinic that Brad and I attended in Edwards, MS. At the fair, we provided information regarding Advance Health Care Directives. It was a great success and we helped spread awareness to many people. Another health fair will be in downtown Jackson on October 13.

We have a few new FallVols. Katrell Nash began working here in August. Trey Rick and Jessica Pitts began in September. Katrell, Trey, and Jessica assist the MVLP staff with client intakes (the screening process by which we decide who qualifies for our assistance.) They also help me with proofreading documents, articles, brochures, etc. Katrell and Trey assist with the Legal Line, pleadings, and recruiting. Katrell recruited volunteer attorneys to help with contractor fraud cases on the MS Gulf Coast related to Katrina. Katrell also assisted with the execution of a will. Jessica assists with filing and organization of Katrina cases.

I have 2 speaking engagements this month: one on October 9, 2007 at Mississippi College School of Law at the Public Interest Law Group Meeting and the other on October 25, 2007 at Mississippi College School of Law at the Black Law Student Association Meeting. If you are a student at MCSOL, stop in and join the groups.

I will be in D.C. October 11-14 for Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps training.

I just wanted to give a quick welcome and say "thank you" to the new FallVols and continuing SumVols.

Summer is winding down...

Summer is almost over. I know you really cannot tell by the 103 degree, record highs we are experiencing. By summer, I of course mean the semester and not the season. I could not really follow up the farewell message to John and Brad after Aboye's post due to its simplicity and eloquence.

Sumin left us last week and it was sad yet joyful all the same. We have a wonderful new website (http://www.mvlp.net) and a great new appreciation of Korean junk food. It was yummy (thanks for the food and allowing me to recognize that I can read Korean-that is a gift I did not know I possessed)! We understand that she must go have her adventures in New Jersey at school but she will be missed! Thank you for all of your help; it was deeply appreciated. If you come down for future Christmas breaks and summers, please stop in to say hello.

Ashley remains here at MVLP holding it down for the Sum Vols. She is currently working on recruiting volunteer attorneys to assist with Katrina Contractor Fraud cases and Bankruptcy. Ashley is also becoming very familiar with the adoption process and pleadings that go along with it. Her last official day is Thursday. Maybe, she will write another post before then!!!

Thus far, the Sum Vols have put in about 850 hours of volunteer time to the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project and low-income Mississippians. This is a much higher number than ever expected.

Thanks y'all!

2 Down...

Well, we said, "See you later" to a pair of our sumvols. I've been thinking about just what way I can verbalize my gratitude for all that they've contributed as members of our team. Sometimes the best things in life are kept simple. For that reason, I end this entry with the only two words that really seem to matter right now. Thank you.

MVLP Website Is Live!

HUZZAH! [insert other words of cheer]

After nearly two months of intense labor (or not), the new MVLP website is up! I'm sure there are still things to be added and edited, but it is mainly done. Now all that's left is backing up files, leaving behind documentation, and conducting a training session.

Yes, that's right. Sumin will be conducting a "How To Do (Nearly) Everything on the MVLP Website" training session on August 8, 2007 at 2:00pm. Mark it in your calendars. You can't miss such an important date! :)

In other news, a belated welcome to Ashley! John and Brad are leaving tomorrow, which makes me sad--it's been fun working in the same office. The good news is that Ashley's still going to be here!

I'm sorry that I haven't been able to go to the Wills & Estates Clinics with the rest of you. It sounds like it was amazing, and the photos are definitely fun.

I will log off, leaving behind this little gem of knowledge (that everybody else already knows): If you're ever working at Crystal's desk, do not answer the phone. :)