Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
Our new office
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri is safely ensconsed in our new place: Peabody Plaza, downtown. Last week was the first week for us and lots of things still needed to be set up in order to become a fully functioning law office. The biggest challenge, after determining that I was connected to a printer, was to locate copy paper to load into said printer. We didn’t find any stash, but were assured that a stash has been ordered. I even sent out an “all users” email asking if anyone knew where the moving bin that had the paper in it was located. In response, I came in two days later to find a precious ream of paper sitting on my cubby desk. The paper fairy found me, apparently.
While much of Legal Services’ work is done electronically, we in the Immigration department are still bound to the world of paper files. Depending on the type of case, a file may end up being 5 inches thick. That is a lot of paper. But we serve one bureaucratic master – United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This huge government organization is just starting to provide opportunities for online filing, but most of what we do is produced on paper. I have two cases alone whose size exceeds five inches of what used to be trees. So, a paper shortage is one of the most frustrating situations facing us.
I also am at the mercy of the Tech people who worked nonstop over four days to get all 100 computers set up. Mine was ready to go, through some miracle. However, a technical glitch has kept me from producing files that I have to get to USCIS as soon as possible. My connection to a handy printer only allows me to print two-sided documents from my computer. This is not acceptable to USCIS so I have three cases that should have been sent off last week but are still sitting in my computer’s brain. The files might be paper dependent, but my clients are depending on my ability to get their cases into the hands of USCIS. God knows it takes forever to get a decision so any delay on my part is most frustrating to all concerned.
So, Friday I sent an email to the tech support people about my dilemma. I trust that they will work on it and get it resolved pretty quickly. I’ll find out tomorrow. Technically our offices are closed for President’s Day, but I need the hours. All due respect to past Presidents.
(This reminds me of a sad note that came across my CNN notification app yesterday. President Jimmy Carter is now in Hospice care. I know that he is 98, and that he had a great run at life, but to me he represents the best of our elected officials. After leaving the Presidency, he did not leave his obligation to the human race. I loved to see pictures of him at his advanced age swinging a hammer at his latest Habitat for Humanity project. We need more Jimmy Carters in our public offices.)
Back to Legal Services. We now occupy a good part of the 11th and 12th floors in the Peabody building. The appearance is in sharp contrast to our previous ancient building where windows were sadly lacking. Now we have floor to ceiling windows looking out on downtown St. Louis, including a view of Busch Stadium. This fact alone will save me lots of money, since I can now park for free just three blocks from the stadium – they can keep their $20+ fee for parking and I will get some steps in! Win-Win, I say.
One last thing about Legal Services. We serve low income people. Immigration work is just one small part of what is going on. There are programs for public benefits, for children, for seniors, for people having landlord/building problems, for people needing a divorce/custody agreement. All of our work is pro bono – no client ever pays a dime to LSEM. We have volunteer attorneys to take on unusual cases not covered by a particular department.
I am proud to work for such an organization. This June it will be five years since I started there as a volunteer. I am grateful for every moment spent in my cubby at LSEM!