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TYLA’s Day of Service
By: Aaron Capps and Bill Gardner

The Texas Young Lawyers Association considers itself the public service arm of the State Bar of Texas. In this role, the TYLA holds serving others—both lawyers and non-lawyers—as one of its highest priorities. So on Nov. 1, 2014, TYLA members throughout Texas volunteered their time to complete TYLA’s Day of Service.

In Dallas, 15 members of TYLA helped Gabby build a home for herself and her two boys. Gabby works as a personal banker for Bank of America, and she was tired of paying rent. Fortunately, Habitat for Humanity worked with Gabby to find a place for her to start a new chapter of her life in her own home.

The work on Gabby’s home began as part of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Each year since 1984, President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, give a week of their time to help improve and build homes in a community where they see a need. The goal: Raise awareness of the critical need for simple, decent, and affordable housing in areas that otherwise go without. This year, the Carters focused their efforts on Dallas-Fort Worth. But homes like the one Gabby will soon move into are not built in a week. It takes volunteers from organizations such as the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, the Dallas Bar Association, and TYLA to do their part to complete the job. And that is exactly what TYLA did.

Volunteers spent 5 1/2 hours installing additional supports within the home, drip edging on the roof, fascia, and windows. While difficult at times, the work proved rewarding for everyone involved.

In San Antonio, four TYLA members participated in Walk to Action, an annual event held to raise money and awareness for the prevention of child abuse. The money raised benefits Prevent Child Abuse Texas, a statewide nonprofit organization working to prevent child abuse and neglect in all forms throughout the state. But its work depends solely on private grants and contributions with Walk to Action serving as just one of many organizations contributing to the cause. This year, the participating TYLA members raised more than $2,100 for Prevent Child Abuse Texas. Then, they put on their running shoes and wrapped their toes with Band-Aids to participate in a 20-mile walk through San Antonio. They did this to raise awareness for the prevention of child abuse, walking alongside many people who suffered physically or mentally as a result. When the walk concluded, all of the participants stood alongside one another rejoicing in the amount of money raised and the people helped.

In Lubbock, a member of TYLA and her family volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest, spending two hours making frozen meals and cookies for families in need. The work they did will result in many families in the Lubbock area having meals on their table when they otherwise might go without.

These examples of service provide a sampling of what TYLA did during its Day of Service and what it strives to achieve on a regular basis. If you are age 36 or younger or in your first five years of practice, you are automatically a member of TYLA. To get involved, email TYLA. They will connect you with the right people in your area so that you too can help those in need. We’re confident that once you do, you will find that it was worth it.