A Letter from MVL, 0520 COBJ, Vol. 49, No. 5 Pg. 6

PositionVol. 49, 5 [Page 6]

49 Colo.Law. 6

A Letter from MVL

Vol. 49, No. 5 [Page 6]

Colorado Lawyer

May, 2020

METRO VOLUNTEER LAWYERS

A Denver Bar Association program

Dear Members,

As we wake every morning to more breaking news and statistics, we're reminded that this COVID-19 pandemic is changing the world forever. In light of this daunting news, we struggle to keep our families, friends, elderly, and especially our vulnerable loved ones safe. We need to remind ourselves that this is only temporary and that it too will pass. The real question is: How do we respond? How will our generation be remembered in the history books, and how will our community face a pandemic that it has never in its history needed to face?

At times we all champion one cause or another, often leading to division and reduced resources. Today, we share a sense of commonality. We are all facing the same dangers, fears, frustrations, anxieties, and feelings of being overwhelmed and all-consumed; the difference is that some of us will be impacted in ways that the rest of us cannot truly comprehend. This is not about who needs what from whom; this is about each of us choosing to help rather than remain immobilized. Humanity shines brightest when its best steps forward.

Last month, as Governor Polis announced the launch of the new Colorado website www. HelpColoradoNow.org, he stated, "A crisis can bring out the best in us." The website is a central hub for the provision of volunteers and donations to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. There are, of course, other ways to help. You can give blood if you're able,1 support local businesses by purchasing gift cards safely from your home computer, or donate food and other items to your local food bank,2 church, or temple.

As lawyers and legal professionals, we should reflect on how fortunate we are. Many of us are finding tools to safely work remotely and modifying our business models to adjust as new challenges confront us. It's natural for us to be compassionate and seek out ways to help our community; however, you may wonder what that help should look like. If we have the resources to help financially, we should. Consider donating to the Colorado Legal Foundation,3 Colorado Legal Services,[4] Metro Volunteer Lawyers,5 or another local nonprofit.

But we can do more! Even before the coronavirus crisis, it was reported that 140 million poor to low-wealth Americans could not afford a $400 economic emergency.6 And a 2018 U.S...

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