Professional Documents
Culture Documents
It was windy and cold when we arrived in the city. All of us were covered
with jackets, scarves and winter hats. We doubled or tripled our garments
to protect ourselves against the breezy weather of that place. The exterior
areas of some buildings were coated with glaze and the trees were not
covered with leaves.
Despite of that sub-zero climate, I forgot the freezing feeling because of the
warm welcome shown by Tita Carol, Tita Gemma, Ate Alaminah, Kuya Bin
and their babies Iman and Zia. I appreciated it and I felt so happy being
with them for a short period of time. Although it was the first time to meet
them, there was the feeling of home along the way that we were together in
the metropolitan.
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) was our next stop. Ms. Margaret
Benson guided and provided us an overview of their work; she explained the
history and developments of CVLS and how they managed the cases and
gave aid to the low-income clients in the community. Ms. Aurora Abella-
Austriaco, the first Asian president of the Chicago Bar Association, talked
about the importance and benefits of pro bono service in the legal practice
and put an emphasis on its significance in the society.
Our last appointment during that day was the American Bar Association
(ABA). Mr. Terry Brooks, Mr. Steve and Mr. Geoffrey Burkhart informed us
about the role of ABA in the American legal profession, how they worked on
issues and provided access to justice in a way that it supports pro-bono
services for the low-income clients.
Thus, big streets, snow fall, landmark bean, Chicago Theatre, United
Center, skyscrapers, amazing infrastructures, artistic monuments and
sculptures, city of dreams, subway and famous boutiques lined across the
streets, lawyers, volunteers, Tita Carol, Tita Gemma and Ate Alaminah and
her family were the things, places and people that I will not forget in the
memorable place of Chicago which I will treasure in life.