"Working with you taught me values I won’t forget: excellence, advocacy, and respect" -Miguel S R

Dear Vanessa,

Nine years ago, I walked into John Jay Legal Services not knowing my life was going to change. Working with you taught me values I won’t forget: excellence, advocacy, and respect. Your dedication to excellence in everything showed me how to bring out the best in me.

In my time working with you, two things were clear: you were passionate about your work and cared deeply about your students. Here are two pictures that show this. One was when we arrived at Dilley to volunteer at a detention center, and the second was when you joined us for a night out of stand-up comedy.

Advocating for your clients and showing us how to advocate were unmatched. The dedication you showed is an example of how we should respect our clients, co-workers and the profession. I am grateful for having the blessing to have worked with you. Thank you not for only the lessons but also for giving me the chance to work at John Jay Legal Services. My life and that of my family’s have been changed and I cannot thank you enough.

Proverbs 31:8-9 states, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Prof. Merton, this text defines everything you’ve done and I am blessed to have witnessed it.

With love,

Miguel S R