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Bringing It Home – The Saint Rose Blog

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“Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds.” – Buddha

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

I started off my blog today with a quote because it embodies what I have learned during my third week here at LSC. Last week Wednesday my boss, Mr. James Sandman, invited me to the Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon presented by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. He humbly left out the fact he was receiving the 2014 Wiley A. Branton Award for his public service and advocacy of pro bono legal services. There I met his wife Beth, son Joe, nephew Will and his husband Kevin. In addition, I attended the event with Director of Office of Human Resources, Traci Higgins and Director of Government Relations & Public Affairs, Carol Bergman from LSC. It not only provided me the opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback from people I don’t normally work with on a daily basis, but I also walked away from the luncheon with a new-found higher self-esteem and confidence.

I say this because of Mr. Sandman’s acceptance speech. It is one of those things you had to be there to appreciate– a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He delivered an inspirational speech reflecting on his journey and all those who helped him to get to where he is now. What I found most shocking and compelling was his genuine appreciation for everyone else in the room. I got to see Mr. Sandman as Jim, which he prefers to be called. The standing ovation and sounds of nose sniffles from the tears the audience wiped from their eyes (including myself) he received does not speak to the amount of work he has put in to help so many low-income Americans. He has opened my eyes to the significance of one’s individual hard work and consequentially inspired me to continue do more in my own life. I am so thankful to be an intern for Legal Services Corporation and more thankful to be Jim Sandman’s intern.

Below is a photo of Jim Sandman and me at the Awards Luncheon.

Jim Sandman and me at the Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon

Jim Sandman and me at the Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon

Surprisingly, my day wasn’t over. Carol Bergman also extended an invitation to all the interns to join Cleveland Legal Aid’s reception for DC friends and supporters. I put my networking skills to work and met some great people who also work relentlessly to provide civil legal aid to low-income Americans.

Below is a photo of their setup and milk chocolate candy they handed out.

I am looking forward to tomorrow with a new-found enthusiasm! Thanks for reading!!

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