Support for those in the legal system

I run to support justice in my DuPage community.

I am the immediate past president of the not-for-profit DuPage Bar Foundation. One of the most important parts of our mission is to support justice by improving the facilitation of justice through charitable acts every year.

Last year, the DuPage Bar Foundation supported local DuPage charities: Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Family Shelter Services. I have personally witnessed the amazing support and help these charities have given to those in need in the legal system.

CASA of DuPage County volunteers help in the juvenile court system to speak on behalf of the best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children in DuPage County.

It is beautiful to watch a terrible situation turn into a better situation because the volunteers care about the children, believe in the children, help the children during the legal process, and speak to their best interests so they can have a loving and nurturing home.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of DuPage helps those who have entered the criminal justice system due to their mental illness and helps the family understand and deal with the mental illness of their loved one. NAMI works closely with the DuPage Mental Illness Court Alternative Program to give group and individual therapy, education and support.

Many times, veterans are recipients of this program, as they have been affected by post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from their service.

When I attend the MICAP graduation, I hear hundreds of stories of broken families having been repaired and people with mental illness feeling confident and having something to live for again. When I see NAMI recipients hug the volunteers and cry with joy, I know something truly miraculous has occurred with the help of NAMI.

Family Shelter Services of DuPage County assists victims of domestic abuse in many ways: giving people who have been abused information about their rights and options, sending court advocates to help the victims obtain orders of protection in court, following up on the victims in police reports, and giving care and comfort to those who are scared and abused.

Again and again, I have seen court advocates in court encourage victims of domestic violence, give comfort and support during court proceedings, and let the victims know there is someone on their side to help them and that they no longer have to be alone and afraid.

Supporting justice in DuPage County is important so the children, the mentally ill, and the victims of domestic abuse will be able to obtain the help and support they need. Please help us support them by donating to the DuPage Bar Foundation through the DuPage County Bar Association's website, dcba.org, under the Legal Community tab.

I cannot wait to run in the DuPage Human Race again this year to support this important and wonderful charity that, in turn, supports justice and helps those in need in our DuPage community. That is why I run - for justice.