Page 13 - Social_Impact_Report

Tours of Duty – Social Impact Report

Supporting

“Thanks to volunteer groups like Miles & Stockbridge,

we are one step closer to achieving our goal of
ending hunger throughout Maryland.” Maryland

— Kelsey Gower,
Legal Aid:
The Maryland Food Bank

Straight (Line) Talk

s a veteran construction litigator, Miles & Stockbridge
sometimes we take for granted center at Benjamin Franklin High young person is at-risk—that part principal Jessica duHoffmann thrives in a world of
exactly what that means. They School in the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay is easy. The hard part is getting A straight lines: if there is a problem to be solved, address
didn’t have forks. They didn't area, as a recent success story. our arms around the problem. it head on. Likewise, if there is a truth hidden, uncover it.
have toiletries or furniture or “The student-parent graduation Coming at it early can change the If there is a more efficient strategy, don’t adorn it with fri-
rugs. And those may seem like rate has 93 percent in the course calculus. Proactive help can make volities. Subscribe to the principle of Occam’s razor—the
small things—until you consider of the program.” Gloor pauses worlds of difference,” Gloor says. straight line almost always leads to the right answer.
what it would be like to have for emphasis. “I’ll say that again:
none of them. Lacking those little 93 percent.” Here at Miles & Stockbridge, When digging into a new matter, duHoffmann takes
things can create big problems.” Gloor is a tireless advocate from inventory of the facts, separating out those issues where
She smiles. “So, the inverse is The United Way of Cen- the organization, encouraging her client is strongly positioned, as well as those that need
also true—providing those ‘little’ tral Maryland has likewise seen participation from colleagues, shoring up—places where she can deploy her skillset and
things can effect a big change in a success from placing social work- lawyers and staff alike, whether it insights. As a citizen, duHoffman’s approach is no different:
person’s life.” ers directly in area schools, and be a donation of time or money. looking at the world around her and, more locally, her
targeting at-risk students based Baltimore community, she serves where she has seen the
In 2017, Gloor joined the on teacher referrals. The orga- “Whatever I have given the greatest need. Early in her career, this meant employing her
UWCM board of directors, and was nization is then able to provide United Way, I have gotten back craft to provide equal justice for all, managing a robust pro
named head of its Development access to services such as budget tenfold,” Gloor asserts. “I have bono practice focused on serving the impoverished of her
Committee, tasked with strat- counseling, case management, been afforded the opportunity hometown. duHoffmann worked tirelessly for clients in need
egizing fundraising. “It’s been job training and health care to meet people I never would who faced a wide range of legal obstacles, quickly ramping
amazing,” she reflects. “You’re resources. These initiatives are have had the opportunity to up to speed on unfamiliar issues and case law to provide
planning ahead, but you’re now branching out into middle meet and be part of something the sort of top-shelf, comprehensive counsel to which her
informing those choices based schools as well through the "On bigger than myself, something traditional clients had long grown accustomed.
on the successes happening in Track 4 Success" program, an impactful. In the end, it’s not hard
the here and now, the positive attempt to address issues before to positively impact someone’s Experience sharpens clarity, and duHoffmann found her-
returns in the present tense.” She they become entrenched in a life—but you do have to choose self face to face with a realization: the insights and capabil-
points to the Ben Center, an early young person’s life. “We have the to get out of your comfort zone ities honed through a high-powered construction law prac-
childhood education and daycare ability and data to determine if a and do it.” ■ tice, however thriving, do not necessarily lend themselves

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