February 2, 2021
Dear Faithful and Fearless CGLA Volunteers!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The CGLA Pro Bono team would like to take this time to THANK YOU for one of the most precious and generous gifts YOU could have given – collectively, 200+ hours of your personal time to individuals who have been adversely affected by their criminal records. YOU worked tirelessly and selflessly on weekends, evenings, holidays and wee hours of the morning learning new processes, researching criminal records and drafting petitions. To that end, WE have been able to serve 600+ applicants from the 2020 Cook County Virtual Expungement and Sealing Summit!!!
To each of YOU who dedicated your time, WE APPRECIATE YOU for taking an interest in the work that CGLA does daily. Sometimes, it can be difficult to see the impact that YOU make as a volunteer. The infinite hours and complex work can be challenging. But rest assured, the work that YOU are doing is making a significant difference in the lives of those without a voice. YOU are removing barriers to employment, housing, education and other life changing opportunities. YOU are building strong families and communities. YOU are helping to create equity in this world where it is lacking. While you may never come face to face with the beneficiaries of your hard work, please know that they do exist, and they too THANK YOU and are eternally grateful for your meaningful contribution to their lives!
The CGLA Pro Bono team would also like to THANK YOU for your bottomless pit of patience and perseverance while we discovered new ways to interact within this virtual world. It was not always fluid, and we even lost touch at times, but because of YOU, we have learned from this experience and are finding ways to implement new systems to make this process more cohesive.
More importantly, we want to THANK YOU for being the light of the world and shining so brightly for those whose lights are dim. YOU are the inspiration and the hope that we need.
WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOU!
We look forward to a new year of hope, healing and happiness!
YOUR CGLA PRO BONO TEAM
