This month’s PBS Spotlight recognizes Shaun Baber for her work as a volunteer with the Neighborhood Legal Clinics (NLC). Shaun has been serving in important roles as a Clinic Assistant for the West Seattle General Clinic and as an intern with NLC’s Intake and Referral Line. It’s not common for volunteers to take on both volunteer roles, which speaks to Shaun’s commitment to helping clients access legal help.
NLC could not function without the support of our clinic assistants and intake and referral volunteers. They are the first point of contact for clients seeking legal advice, many of whom are in crisis situations looking for guidance and resources to meet immediate needs.
Sarah McKendricks, NLC’s Volunteer Services Coordinator, works with Shaun in her clinic assistant role. “Shaun’s enthusiasm to serve our clients and share about the work NLC is doing is admirable and what made her stand out as a volunteer we would like to recognize.”
Louis Edelman, NLC’s Client Services Supervisor works with Shaun on the intake and referral line. Louis says, “Shaun has been an excellent and reliable volunteer with NLC while also working a full-time job and has always been enthusiastic about helping NLC clients get scheduled for legal help. Her dedication to our clients and hard work on their behalf has been a huge help to our team and the people we serve.”
We asked Shaun to share a little bit about herself and her experience as an NLC volunteer.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Originally from Montana, I’ve been a proud Seattleite for over six years. Prior to my time in Seattle, I lived in Denver, Colorado for a few years after living in London for a year and a half while I attended grad school. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my dog, Roxy; going on long walks; reading; watching horror films; crafting; and going to concerts.
How long have you been a volunteer? How did you hear about NLC and what led you to want to volunteer?
I’ve been volunteering with NLC for nearly five years. I first heard about NLC through a colleague who asked if I’d be willing to replace her volunteer position at the West Seattle General Clinic. I agreed to volunteer because I genuinely enjoy helping people and wanted to help contribute to the amazing work that NLC provides to the community.
What do you typically do as a clinic assistant and as an intake and referral intern?
Prior to the pandemic, as a Clinic Assistant, I checked-in clients at the West Seattle Clinic, facilitated client intake paperwork, and assisted the attorneys with anything they might need. During the pandemic when clinics shifted to virtual, I pivoted to assisting with client reminder calls. As an Intake and Referral Intern, I call clients who have applied for NLC’s services to assess whether the clients are eligible and if so, schedule them for an appointment at one the clinics, along with answering any general questions the clients might have with regards to the services NLC provides or referring clients to other legal resources if they aren’t eligible for NLC.
What have you learned from your experience as a volunteer?
My most significant learning has been expanding my compassion for other people. A lot of people are struggling in our community and volunteering with NLC is a stark reminder of that.
What have you liked most about volunteering with NLC?
Getting to help people is definitely my favorite part about volunteering with NLC. During my shifts as an Intake and Referral Intern, most clients I speak to are so relieved and grateful that someone simply called them back or followed up with their application. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know the other volunteers and the NLC employees who help keep the program running.
What motivates you to keep volunteering?
It all goes back to having the opportunity to help people in a meaningful way and give something back to the community. The company I work for asks employees to diligently track time we spend participating in pro bono activities, but I don’t volunteer with NLC to get some arbitrary corporate swag; I volunteer because I want to help people, even if that just means getting a client scheduled for an appointment to speak to an attorney. The services NLC provides are not insignificant and I am grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with such an amazing organization.
Thank you, Shaun, for your dedication to making legal help accessible to our client community!
For information about how you can volunteer with the Neighborhood Legal Clinics or other PBS programs, please visit: https://www.kcba.org/?pg=Pro-Bono-Services.
