HASANA L. | November 21, 2019
AVLF Staff and Cristo Rey interns at 2019 Draft day.
I first interned for AVLF my sophomore year of high school. Here’s why I asked to come back as a senior.
My name is Hasana, and I am a senior at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School. You may be wondering why a high schooler is writing for AVLF. Fortunately enough, my family has not needed any services AVLF provides. Nonetheless, my relationship with this non-profit is intimate.
I was first introduced to AVLF when I was a sophomore. Every student at my high school has an internship at a company in the metro-Atlanta area. In early September during a school event called Draft Day, it was announced that I would be an intern for Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation.
Learning about AVLF is like looking inside the mind of a superhero.
At this point I still knew nothing of the organization; however, everyone’s excitement and support for me coming to their organization left a great first impression with me.
So, why am I back as a senior? Learning about AVLF is like looking inside the mind of a superhero.
From the outside, AVLF offers pro bono legal assistance to those without the means to help themselves. I’ve witnessed first hand the dedication volunteers and staff members put into each detail of every case. I never once felt as though there was an ulterior motive for helping clients. Not only were people in the office influencing other attorneys to take on stronger responsibilities, everyone in the office encouraged me to do the same.
Staff members at AVLF have always asked me and encouraged me to look for the things that I want out of an experience. For example, before starting my internship in 10th grade, I was considering becoming a social worker. Because of those initial conversations and inspiration from my supervisor, I was able to shadow staff social workers from the Safe & Stable Families Office and attorneys from Standing with Our Neighbors™.
The community that AVLF builds around you is unlike any other.
Even when I was no longer an official intern, staff members have written me letters of recommendation and endorsement to participate in law programs pertaining to high schoolers aspiring to be lawyers. The community that AVLF builds around you is unlike any other.
I knew I was in the right place after my first time volunteering for the Saturday Lawyer Program. After the intake process was complete, the gratification on the client’s face was immaculate. Some people want a new living space, some people want to break their lease, and others just want an extended period to pay their rent. But one thing all clients have in common is their need to have someone listen to them and care.
I know returning to AVLF was the best benefit to my education, future career, and my call to being a civil servant.
When it came time for seniors to have priority in choosing their internship, I was first in line asking to be placed back with AVLF.
The name AVLF has made for itself is reflecting in the community, especially in those that are helped the most. Now that I am a few months into this year’s internship, I know returning to AVLF was the best benefit to my education, future career, and my call to being a civil servant.
Everyone should make time to give to this wonderful organization, whether that be through volunteer hours or by making donations. AVLF puts everything to good use in order to help those less fortunate. AVLF cares. AVLF advocates. And AVLF supports.
Read this blog post from former Cristo Rey interns.
Hasana L.
Hasana is a Senior at Cristo Rey. Her favorite subject in school is calculus. In her free time, she likes to help out at school and hang with her friends.
When she graduates from college, she wants to be successful living in Washington, D.C.
Hasana is with us on Wednesdays.
