“You can roll up your sleeves and go try to be like a hero and go save one person, or you can build a tool that allows one person to save a lot of people.” – Ashton Kutcher, Co-Founder of Thorn
I’ve shared before that if I wasn’t an attorney, I would want to be an actress (or an HRH) (or both… Looking at you Meghan!) and here is why: Celebrity gives you an incredible platform to make a difference. Case on point: Christopher Ashton Kutcher. Probably known as “the handsome one” growing up, Mr. Kutcher dropped his first name and made a new name for himself in Hollywood.
In 2009, he was the first person on Twitter to exceed 1 million followers. Using his knowledge of social media and technology, Ashton co-founded Thorn after participating in a public service announcement with his former wife in 2011.
Today, Thorn uses technology to find trafficking victims world-wide and reportedly locates five victims daily who become survivors. Meanwhile in Jacksonville, I’m just rolling up my sleeves.
“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” – Dr. Seuss
In the context of licensed attorneys, YOU may be the only person who can meet a legal need for someone. I have learned that from Alyssa’s case and the hundreds of people who my firm helps on a pro bono basis, and we are just getting started. My business partner, Belkis Plata and I agree, everyone deserves basic human rights and dignity. We should help where we can.
Whether it’s a trafficking survivor who would like to seal and expunge her record, or an elderly person who needs to appeal their social security application, or an impoverished family who has a child with special needs about to become an adult, YOU, yes YOU can change the entire trajectory of their lives with a few hours of work.
In Florida, we are compelled to remember our Oath. To find our more, connect with your local legal aid and ask for form-pleadings and continuing legal education to learn about a new area of law that they offer. Connect with community based organizations, and check to see if their clients have any needs in an area that you already know well. Someone is waiting for you. What are you waiting for?
In sum, I am enrolling in acting classes.
XOXO, Mrs. Make It Rainka
Resources:
Legal Aid in Jacksonville, Florida
