During the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in Chicago, ABA members gave back to the community of its headquarters city by creating care packages for The Boulevard, an organization that provides housing and respite services for unhoused individuals.
In the meeting’s well-traveled Sidebar lounge area, members filled 64 bags with mini first aid kits, water bottles, combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, mouthwash and inspiration cards to be handed out to Boulevard clients.
The organization provides high-quality, cost-effective medical respite care, holistic support and housing services to help ill and injured homeless adults break the cycle of homelessness, restore their health and rebuild their lives.
Now in its 29th year, The Boulevard served more than 700 individuals last year, including more than 150 in the medical respite program and close to 400 through its health and housing programs.
The Young Lawyers Division also organized pop-up public service projects to encourage young lawyers to make an impact on foster care groups and youth organizations in Chicago.
Young lawyers, law students and judges met with 15 high school girls from Polished Pebbles, a mentoring organization that helps girls become great communicators, to expose them to the legal profession and inspire them to explore a career in the law. The guests attended a panel called “What Do Lawyers Do?” and took part in a speed networking program. They also met ABA President Mary Smith during a snack break and received a visit from ABA Executive Director Alpha Brady.
“Mentorship is a big part of the YLD,” said Public Service Director Brandi Pikes. “We wanted an opportunity to pay it forward to diverse school-age women.”
YLD also collected pillowcases, pencils, highlighters and miscellaneous school supplies for Children’s Homestead, a foster care organization in the greater Chicago area.