My birth certificate spent its early life in a little fireproof box. It lived in a hand-labeled envelope, nestled in with another for my sister. My mother safeguarded the basic facts of my existence with the same care she took in recording my first word and my first step. It is something I took for granted, as maybe you did.

My pro bono work for the Homeless Advocacy Project’s (HAP) in-person legal clinics made me realize that I was fortunate. Many of the clients I assist never had copies of their important documents or have lost them along the way. Showing up for them is a commitment that brings meaning to my life. And when one of those clients shows up for our meetings despite their numerous life challenges, it feels as big as any win I have had in my career.